This and That from around the Lake

Bonaparte's Gull

My wildlife photography has not been all that productive lately with all of the bad weather, other obligations and interest taking up much of my free times so for this post I dipped back into images captured earlier this year. 

Ring-billed Gull

Ring-billed gulls occasionally visit the local lake.  I usually only observe them perhaps two or three times each year.

Osprey

Since the Osprey's return I have been seeing them during each of my lake visits.  This osprey can be seen clutching a nice sized pumpkin-seed sunfish in its talons.  Not close enough to make a great image the shot is a great reminder of a pleasant morning spent on the water.

Osprey Take-off

A shot I made last year and never got around to posting.  Now that I feel like I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel to find images to post I guess its time to get it out. 

Birds by Boat

Heading out on the water at this time of year one never knows what wildlife encounters that awaits.  During a recent outing I noticed a pair of gulls arrive and immediately begin fishing.  Moving closer I made this wing shot as one of the Bonaparte's Gulls hovered nearby.  These tiny gulls are common visitors to my area during both their spring and autumn migration.  This bird is still sporting its winter plumage.

Horned Grebe's in both winter and breeding plumage are also common during the spring migration.  They can be quite wary and difficult to photograph.  Usually they dive while still out of camera range.  This time I guessed correctly and steered the boat to intercept the grebe when it surfaced managing a couple of shots before it again submerged.

Rounding a bend in the shoreline I was already within range of a Ring-necked duck pair when I came into sight.  They immediately took flight allowing only a moment to capture the male in an explosion of spray.

Looking Up

Looking Up

Another image from my Saturday encounter with the Bonaparte's Gulls

Activity in the middle of the lake drew my attention to two loons actively fishing

It was apparent that the loons still sporting their winter plumage had located a school of baitfish near the surface.  The birds were diving repeatedly and swimming near the surface as I could track their progress by the small fish jumping out of the water. 

Taking a short break between dives the loon eyes me closely.

I always look forward to the spring loon migration and enjoy watching and photographing them during the short time they spend in my area.  From past experience I expect this may be my last encounter for the year unless they are still around come next weekend.  Normally they move on by the middle of May.