As Summer Slides By........

 

 

A flock of Canada Geese swim in a farm pond while an Immature Bald Eagle watches from the bank. 

 

When I noticed this scene as my wife and I drove down a dirt back-country road, the geese were what caught my attention.  I paused to observe them noting that the young of the year are fully feathered and nearly as large as their parents; but the surprise of the moment was when I realized that the bird on the land was not just another goose but an eagle instead!  Was it watching the geese hoping for a meal of fatted goose? 



Common Wood Nymph

 

While taking one of my frequent evening walks a butterfly fluttered in the roadside bushes and chose a landing site that was open and well lit.  My constant companion on these walks, a camera with the 100-400mm lens attached proved adequate to make a good hand-held shot of these normally reclusive butterflies.

 

 

While spending an evening in a local wetland I was startled by the nearby splashing sound of a doe and her twins crossing the shallow water.  Unable to photograph them in the water because of screening branches I had to wait until they passed into an opening.  The clicking of the shutter drew the mother's attention for a moment before she moved on.

 

But a biting fly caused the one fawn to flick its tail and bite at it's hip.  While it appears that the fawn was looking directly at me it was the biting insect that had its undivided attention. 

 

Early Signs Of The Coming Spring

Cooper's Hawk watching for prey

Even as winter's snow swirls through the air the first faint signs of a change of seasons can be found.

 

A stop at a local lake revealed that it will be some time until it will be open for returning waterfowl.  However the ice is thin as indicated by one area remaining open.  While at the lake I watched as a mature Bald Eagle soared over heard and listened as a red-bellied woodpecker drumming out its territorial call, a sign that spring is on the way.

 

Mourning Dove

 

 I heard my first mourning dove of the year cooing Friday evening and many more calling Saturday morning.

Mourning Doves feeding

 

Canada Geese

 

And a stop at a local wetland revealed some open water and a pair of Canada Geese.

 

Before leaving I observed a flock of mallards swoop in for a splash-down.  While Canada's and Mallards are residents the migratory waterfowl won't be long in arriving as they begin their journey to the more northern nesting grounds.

 

 

Eager for Spring Waterfowl

Buffleheads

 

 I stopped by the local lake today to check on ice conditions.  With the recent temperature swings of the past week going from the lowest temps of the winter to well over 60F Tuesday and back down to 12F last night the coves and the northern part are frozen with 2/3rds of the lake remaining open.  However even with the open water no waterfowl were visible.  While I am always on the look-out for waterfowl sightings it will be a few weeks yet before the spring migration begins.

 Lesser Scaup & Ring-necked Ducks

 

The photos shown here were captured in mid-November as the birds passed by on their southward migration.  While I have been hoping to find a time when weather and my schedule coincide for a visit to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on Maryland's Eastern Shore to photograph wintering waterfowl it has yet to work out.

Canada Geese & Tundra Swan

While we are again locked in winter's embrace, by the last week of the month Snow Geese and Tundra Swans should begin arriving at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area near Lancaster Pennsylvania.  I am planning my visit for the first week of March as this coincided with the opening of the roads through the WMA (unless blocked by snow) and usually the largest concentration of migrating snow geese.

On the Wing: Canada's and Tundra Swan

With the deer hunters finishing up their last day of hunting Saturday my buddy and I decided to head for the lake for an afternoon of late autumn fishing.  A flock of Canada geese with one lone tundra swan were resting near the shoreline.  Taking a break from fishing I readied the camera with the 100-400mm lens attached and approached until the Canada's took flight.  This shot was made using the 400mm setting, handheld, image stabilization activated.

The lone tundra swan flushed moments after the Canada's had departed.  Again the shot was made at 400mm, handheld.  With the waterfowl very wary and water temp's dropping to near the freezing point it may be nearly time to put the boat away for the winter. 

Hoodies, Woodies, and Honkers

My spring waterfowl photography at a local wetlands has been more difficult than expected this year.  The birds are always wary but this year they have been doubly so.  Finding empty shotgun hulls strewn about indicated that some hunting activity had taken place sometime during the last week of Canada goose season in late February.  The scare has apparently not been forgotten.

After a number of unsuccessful attempts I decided to make an early morning attempt but walking in and setting up the blind well before daylight.  Settling back for a nap once the blind was up the sounds coming from the wetlands told of Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, hooded mergansers, and assorted frogs.  As the faint light of a new day began brightening the eastern sky flocks could be heard taking off.  By full light most of the waterfowl had departed.  This hooded merganser cruised into view about 30 yards away.  At the first shutter click he reversed course, swimming rapidly for cover.  I could here his calling from various parts of the wetlands throughout the morning. 

Around 8:30am a small flock of wood ducks cruised past.  The male woodies are our most colorful duck and as with the hooded merganser the calm water reflected him perfectly.

One hen accompanied the flock of males.  Her muted colors suit her perfectly for the upcoming nesting season.

A flock of common grackles perched nearby and treated me to the loud singing.  I always look forward the seeing the flocks of grackles each spring.  During the 1960's and '70's huge flocks would descend each spring.  By the 1980's the big flocks were gone and only small flocks of a few dozen birds were seen.  I have began to notice during the last few years that the flock sizes seem to be growing once again however they are still no match for the massive flocks of forty years ago.

Before leaving the wetlands I spotted this Canada nesting on a small hummock just above waterline.  I have taken photographs of geese on the nest before but this is my first nesting reflection shot.

Images from Blackwater

Blackwater NWR contains a vibrant wildlife community and much of the wildlife is acclimated to a degree of human presence.  This works wonders for the photographer since the critters do not flee at the first sight of humans.  This is not to say that one can approach closely as visitors are restricted and the wildlife is wild, unlike the birds found in city parks. 

The Canada geese tolerate humans at a distance; 80-100 yards seems to be their comfort range.

Small groups of geese took flight throughout the morning as they flew to the neighboring fields to feed.

Blackwater has both freshwater and brackish water habitat.  Muskrat lodges dotted the brackish water swamps.  Although we did not spot any muskrats during our visits their lodges indicate a substantial population.

Blackwater, a Refuge for Waterfowl

Unregulated market hunting nearly destroyed our wildlife resources.  I have read where the great migrating flocks of Canada geese that wintered around the Chesapeake Bay were virtually destroyed by the time meaningful regulation began protecting the tiny remnant populations that remained.

Both federal and state laws were established to protect both waterfowl and habitat.  The federal migratory bird hunting stamp act was signed into law by President Roosevelt in 1934.  The money generated through the sale of "duck stamps", basically a federal permit required of all hunters targeting migratory waterfowl, was to be used for the single purpose of purchasing wetlands to create what is now known as the National Wildlife Refuge System.   

A visit to a refuge clearly illustrates how well this program is working.

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Camera Critters

Blackwater Honkers

Canada geese are by far the most commonly seen wildlife at Blackwater NWR.  The waterfowl was concentrated in the freshwater marshes to the right of wildlife drive. 

Some time after sunup the waterfowl flew to the fields that lay along Key Wallace Drive where thousands upon thousands of Canada geese could be seen foraging on the food plots.  I found it interesting that the huge flocks paid no attention to passing vehicles.  However upon slowing the geese would begin running directly away with a few taking flight.  Their reaction to slowing vehicles makes me wonder if there is a problem in the area with persons shooting from vehicles. 

Mixed with the geese were various species of ducks.  Here a male pintail and two females swim by some resting Canadas.

Canada Shots

Canada Geese, while once only migrants passed over our area, have now developed a substantial resident population.  This goose allows its head to drain as it momentarily holds it's head aloft after feeding on submerged vegetation.

Frost highlights the feathers of this Canada's back as stands guard watching for intruders as it mate sits on the nearby nest.  This goose was not fooled by my efforts to hide and kept me under close scrutiny while keeping a thin screen of branches between us. 

During early March we experienced above normal temperatures but since the arrival of spring the mercury has plummeted and condition are more winter-like with snow falling during the past two nights and more forecast for tonight.  Here at the lower elevations the snow is melting nearly as quickly as it falls but the surrounding mountains are snow capped.

Middle Creek in Flight

The Middle Creek Snow Goose migration is now a memory but I still have a few images to share from our morning.  I captured this image during the morning lift-off.  The sun was still low in the sky partially lighting the undersides of the geese's wings.

Snow geese circling the preparing to land

A large flock of a few thousand geese gathered in a field along the roadside.  Photographers and observers gathered as well watching the incredible drama unfold.  I have read how difficult these birds are to hunt as they do not decoy well and spook easily when they notice the least thing amiss.  Perhaps that is so but in this spot the birds amassed without concern of the onlookers gathered nearby.  Did they know they were in a protected zone?  Probably so.  I have also read where the average age of the geese is about eight years so I would guess that that is plenty of time for them to learn where the safe spots lie along their journey.

Lift-off

At one point about half of the flock lifted off, circled around, landing in a different part of the field to resume their feeding.  No photograph can do justice to the incredible sight of so many large flying birds in such close proximity.  I shot with both cameras using the 24-105mm on one and the 100-400mm on the other.  This shot with the 100-400mm shot at 400mm is my favorite.

Snow Geese are not the only attraction of Middle Creek as this Canada Goose demonstrates making an early morning fly-over.

Signs of the Season

While eating dinner this evening I noticed a grackle singing from the top of an oak tree, my first grackle for the season.  Deciding to take a short sundown stroll after the dishes were done I checked our flowerbeds and found the daffodils just beginning to poke their heads above the soil. 

As my wife and I strolled along we noticed two robins hunting worms along side of our garden, another first for the year.  The sunset this evening was one certainly worth savoring.

The honking of migrating Canada Geese drew our attention to the western sky.  The dark silhouettes moving rapidly across the colorful evening sky vividly tells the story of the changing of the seasons.  

   

Friday’s Wetland Visit

With heavy brooding skies Friday morning I delayed my planned visit to a local wetland until mid day after the skies had cleared. Although mid day is not a good time to observe wildlife and certainly is not good lighting for wildlife photography any chance to spend time in the outdoors is better than staying home.

Poking around the wetlands I discovered a goose resting beside a feather lined nest. A moment after I noticed the goose it took off across the wetland honking loudly. Clicking away at the rapidly departing goose I could only think that I was glad that I was not beneath her

A pair of American Coots was also present. The Coot is a species not commonly seen in our locale. I remember seeing one as a teenager on the creek that borders our family farm making this only my second observation of this species in our area. Checking the National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds I found that virtually the entire US is included as either winter or summer range of the American Coot with the exception of a small strip up the Appalachian mountains, the tip of which covers my home turf.

During this visit I observed quite a bit of frog/toad spawn attached to the submerged vegetation around to water's edge. It appeared that this food source was what was attracting the waterfowl's attention.

Also observed on this visit was seven Ring-necked ducks, two pair of Hooded Mergansers, one male Mallard, and one Osprey.

Middle Creek Silhouettes

With all of the buzz about the Snow Geese at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area I had my plans for a visit this past weekend thwarted by the heavy wind and rain but with the beautiful bluebird weather this week has offered, hasty plans were made for a make-up trip. Willard & I hit the road this morning and arrived at Middle Creek as the eastern sky began to lighten. Shortly after our arrival Willard’s daughter Amy (Ash’s Eye) rolled into the parking lot joining up with us for the mornings shoot.

Our first stop was as the lake where we could watch the sunrise over the water. The beautiful orange color of the dawn reflected on the water was accented by the silhouette's of Canada geese.

This small group posed a striking silhouette as they swam in single file

Pairs and small flocks lifted off periodically before the sun made its appearance for the day

They day proved to be quite fruitful with quite a number of different waterfowl species sighted but the biggest disappointment was the number of snow geese present. Whereas just a week ago it was estimated that over 100,000 were present, today the official estimate was only 10,000 as the main migration moved on at the beginning of this week.

Camera Critters: Fowl Luvin’

With spring just around the corner the resident Canada Geese are making the best of the milder days choosing nesting sights and wooing their mates.

After chasing another pair away from his preferred spot, this gander seemed to have a lot to say to his demure hen.

Today we are having typical March weather, high winds and drenching rain. I would have loved to have been photographing the migrating waterfowl today but with the high winds it would be impossible to keep my portable hide erect. Some of the gust passing through seem about to blow our home apart.

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Ps. After making this post and then changing my template I had not completed all of the fixes that went with the new layout when we lost power.  It was nine hours until it was restored and during that time many of you viewed a messed up Country Captures and for that I apologize.  If any of you are wondering where I came up with this new template, it is a customized one from the new blogger in draft.  For more information visit this post by our friend Abe Lincoln.

Canada Geese: Defending Nesting Territory

When a second pair of Canada geese swam too close to the original pair the attack was sudden and violent. The male suddenly launched himself at the intruder.

The intruder wasted no time getting out of the way of the irate defender

With trouble past the gander returned to wooing his mate