Bay Photos by Donna

Over this past Christmas holiday, Rick and I took a slight detour from visitations in the area one day to spend a couple late afternoon hours on the auto wildlife loop at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Dover, Delaware (about an hour from home).     To get me back behind my camera.  🙂

The Snow Geese were the first thing to see when entering and passing Raymond Pool on our left.

Snow Geese

Just pass that view, there is a parking lot for a short trail to an observation tower overlooking Raymond Pool.  There were a lot of cars in the parking lot but no one about.  Which meant a lot of people at the tower?  Oh yea….as I reached the top stair to the platform I had no where to go.  People, cameras, and tripods filled the platform.  I had several people already coming up behind me, pretty much pushing me forward.  I squeezed up & through, took a few photos, and left.  I was lucky that a flock flew in while I was up there!

The view of Snow Geese from Raymond Pool observation tower.

Another view of the Snow Geese

Incoming Snow Geese with my telephoto lens

Another capture of incoming

A Snow Goose gave me a wave

Walking back, I snapped a shot of a little bird before he high-tailed it into the brush.  I believe it is a sparrow and will search the ID.  I’m still learning the little birds.  🙂

Sparrow?

It was a gorgeous late afternoon!

View over the salt marshes, looking East

Far off in the distance, a Northern Harrier was flying over the salt marshes in search of dinner.

View over Shearness Pool, looking West

Further along the drive, a small flock of Canada Geese were feeding close to the road, a few Mallards mixed within….

Canada Geese

and a Great Blue Heron.

Canada Geese, Great Blue Heron, and a hiding Mallard

Canada Geese and Great Blue Heron

The three species got along with each other fine, no squabbles.   The Great Blue Heron did go off to the side to do a little fishing.

Great Blue Heron “fishing”

A little further up the drive, another Great Blue Heron.  I loved how the late afternoon sun shined on the back of his neck.

Great Blue Heron

I captured the next photo off to the right of him across the water.

A few more birds were there….

Northern Shoveler

Northern Pintails

Greater Yellowlegs

As the sun headed down, more birds began to arrive.

Snow Geese coming in for the night

Here come more

Raymond Pool began to fill up with Snow Geese

In addition, a few Tundra Swan passed overhead and continued along their sky-route.

Tundra Swan

Tundra Swan

We departed as the sun was setting.

Sunset over Shearness Pool

It was good to be behind my camera once again.   🙂