Bay Photos by Donna

It was a nice past week with some feather friends keeping our community’s backyard and skies still active as migrations continue back north and our seasons change from winter to spring.  Which I think we are ALL ready for!  Think Osprey!!

Our visitors were the same and as usual, with the gulls taking their turns perching on our osprey nest.  I watched this next fella go through a stretching session, it was a bit comical.  Here’s his best stretch!

Ring-Billed Gull

From another day, this next one was down below me on a light along our walking path.  We watched each other.

Ring-Billed Gull

Ring-Billed Gull

And a final shot of another gull on yet another day on the rocks below our osprey nest, reflecting in the waters.

The Canada geese still stay most evenings up in Marshy Creek and head out in the morning to venture off for the day, maybe to return back that evening or not, as the migration flocks are on the move.  Here’s two different mornings as they moved on out….

Canada Geese

Canada Geese

Other bird activity is constant in the skies if you can take the time to watch and listen.  Three times I watched with binoculars 2 adult and 2 juvenile eagles flying around or perching in the trees over at CBEC.  Not close enough for any great photographs, but a joy to watch.  And while watching them or the skies in general, I tried to capture the next few birds that passed on by a bit closer to me.  A Great blue heron….

Great Blue Heron

a turkey vulture….we have a few of them on occasion….

Turkey Vulture

and tundra swans who are also abundant along the banks of Kent Island and CBEC for the evenings/mornings.

Tundra Swan

Tundra Swan

And of course, we have the mallards.  They feel safe here and do get some great feedings, so it is real unusual to not have at least a pair around.

Male and Female Mallards

Male Mallard

One day at low tide, we had a group of eight mallards feeding with bottoms up.   Almost got all eight in one shot!

1 Male & 3 Female Mallards - Bottoms Up!

2 Male & 4 Female Mallards - Bottoms Up!

The mallards are in full swing on mating.  Got some before/beginning shots and then the end male strut & victory lap.

Male and Female Mallard Mating

Male and Female Mallard Mating

Male and Female Mallard Mating

Male and Female Mallard Mating

Male and Female Mallard Mating

Mallard Mating Complete - Male Struts

Mallard Mating Complete - Male Circles Female in Victory Lap

Mallard Mating Complete - Male Circles Female in Victory Lap

The biggest treat for me this past week was coming home and finding a raft of American coots out on Marshy Creek.  We haven’t had these ducks visit this winter as they have in the past.  As I captured some shots, the raft started heading towards me, so perfect!

American Coots

After a few photos, the coots about-faced and went back towards more of the center of Marshy Creek and mixed in with a small group of scaup, diving and feeding together as the sun set.

American Coots and Scaup

I heard this little guy below me on the ground one late afternoon, then I found him, he blended in really well with the grass.  I think it is an American tree sparrow, please correct me if I am wrong!  I’m really green on identifying ‘land’ birds but I’m attempting to learn and expand my bird ID knowledge.  🙂

American Tree Sparrow?

We had a few beautiful sunrises and sunsets, I enjoyed most enroute to/from work.  On February 17th, I made it home in time but the sunset wasn’t so spectacular in a wide angle shot; however it became a soft orange sunset with my telephoto lens.

Sunset - February 17, 2012

Made it home again last night in time and captured this awesome cloud-filled sunset.

Sunset - February 23, 2012

I’ve  been working on my Oliver & Olivia 2011 review to post,  looking them over really has me excited on their soon arrival.  There has already been a confirmed osprey sighting in the Williamsburg, Virginia vicinity!  Cool!

Thanks for stopping!