Birds Surviving A Blizzard
We survived Blizzard Jonas! Approximately 12″ fell here in Grasonville, Maryland. Winds that were 30-50 mph caused drifts as high as 5′. We were lucky to have no power outages or damage for which I am thankful.
Wildlife has the instinct to know when a storm is coming. They prepare by eating extra and finding a sheltered area to hunker down until the storm passes.
With Marshy Creek freezing over and the impending storm, birds that normally shelter in the creek’s cove could not do so. When it does freeze over, they will tend to hang closer to our community coves and riprap. And that means I get the opportunity to see birds up closer with my binoculars, and maybe get some great photos.
This time did not disappoint!
Tundra Swans
Canada Geese & pair Hooded Mergansers
Canada Geese and Female Hooded Merganser
Hooded Mergansers (extra exciting visitors!)
Canada Geese, Gadwells, American Wigeons
American Wigeons (another extra exciting visitor!)
Gadwells (another exciting visitor!)
Ruddy Ducks
Canada Geese, American Wigeon, Gadwells
The blizzard finally arrived and I mostly stayed inside, but snuck in a couple shots here and there.
American Bald Eagle on Lippincott’s Channel Marker
Cove off to my left
Marshy Creek
The blizzard finally moved on late last night, and this morning I awoke to a winter wonderland. It was a beautiful sunrise AND moon set!
Sunrise over Marshy Creek after blizzard
Moon set over our community cove and birds
Within a couple hours, everything was glistening, the skies were clear, the strong winds had disappeared.
Our Osprey platform patiently waiting for a new pair to arrive March!
All of the visitors yesterday made roll call this morning!
Canada Geese
Tundra Swan, Ruddy Ducks, a Redhead, Scaup
Ruddy Ducks, Scaup, Canvasback
This lone Ruddy Duck came right up to our riprap which is unusual, I think he just wanted to say Hi!
Can’t forget the Mallards!
Bottoms Up!
Gadwells
Gadwells
My favorite pair of resident Eagles have been very visible since the storm, perching on Lippincott’s channel marker.
Whenever an Eagle took flight, they made the ducks nervous, causing them to take flight.
Two Buffleheads take flight with Ruddy Ducks – Eagle Scare!
We also have a juvenile Eagle that I see often and try to capture. Got him this time!
Juvenile American Bald Eagle
The Tundra Swans were amazing today. They love Marshy Creek but are very skittish on being close to us.
Tundra Swan Fly-By for Mrs. Eagle
There were several small groups of Tundra Swans, some were families.
Tundra Swan Family – the parents were always on both sides of them to protect them
Gadwells take flight over a lone Tundra Swan
Another Tundra Swan family passing by our Osprey nest platform
Tundra Swans
Airborn rather quickly for such a large bird!
As the sun was setting, a dozen adult Tundra Swans also passed our Osprey nest platform. I was way off on my settings so I lost all my captures. 😦
BUT……I did get them as they headed into the sunset! 🙂
As you can see, I had a couple fun-filled days of photo ops! I have more to share, but I think I’ll spare you those until next time. I have already overwhelmed you enough for this post.
Thank you for stopping by and enjoy you week! 🙂
What a beautiful view with snow there, dear Donna. Loved them all. Yes, birds, I think of them when the weather gets cold… Be sure I never say enough to watch your photographs 🙂 Thank you, have a nice day, love, nia
Thank you very much, dear Nia, I know you care about the birds too. They are so strong and amazing to survive such nasty weather and temperatures. 🙂 Have a beautiful week! ❤
Spectacular shots Donna! I especially love your snow shots and flight shots of Tundra Swans, you have been the first to show me this bird:-)
I’d love to send you some snow! We have Eastern Neck NWR almost 2 hours away where an enormous number of Tundra Swans arrive each winter from upper Canada & Alaska. There is a viewing area called Tundra Swan Boardwalk, pretty awesome!
So glad to see all is right with the world again, Donna. Thanks for your beautiful photos, as always. 💜
It was probably no fun dealing with the blizzard, but you were able to get some amazing photos of both the waterfowl and the snow covered scenery! I loved the sunrise, sunset, and moonrise photos as well.
For most I know it was no fun, but I kept myself inside except for my balcony, it was easy to shovel off. 🙂 Thanks, Jerry, I hope to venture out a little today as is everyone else! 🙂
Love the sunrise and the sunset photos. Beautiful.
Thanks Kathy, never any two alike which I love. I am always in awe of God’s artistic brush of color.
What a delightful display of birds, apparently the cove is an strategic shelter, protection from the harsh wind and weather elements. Your photos are great! 🙂
Birds are so intelligent, aren’t they?! This morning we are completely frozen over all around me. I never know what to expect to see which I love! 🙂
Good to hear you survived Jonas and had all these marvelous visits to keep you entertained!
As you know, nature is a wonderful entertainer. And it’s free! 🙂
I thoroughly enjoyed these fantastic photos, Donna. I especially liked the first photo of the tundra swans. Great bird photos, nice to see you and all these species made it through the storm.
Thanks so much, Jet, it was definitely a wonderful day of entertainment and it sure beat shoveling snow. 🙂
What a wealth of amazing captures you got, Donna! Your sunrise and sunset pics are spectacular, and so many special visitors too. You were truly blessed by that blizzard. So happy you and they all survived through the ordeal. A really wonderful post. 🙂
Thanks so much, Sylvia! It was a blessed day of entertainment for sure. I was like a kid with a new toy, lol 🙂
Make the most of it when it comes. Lovely set of pictures.
True, you gotta take what you’re given when given! Thanks Tom.
Stunning photos, really deft use of light….Indeed, it was so amazing that the power outages where minimal.
Thanks Charlie! It is wonderful how snow and cold can really bring out colors and light. And I am so thankful we did not lose power, it was a worry for sure.
Amazing, Donna! Beautiful photos and equally beautiful birds. Just a question – did you choose your living space based on the possibility of bird photo opportunities? If so, you chose wisely! hugs
We actually bought for the boating opportunities. The only duck I could identify back then was a Mallard and I had to research what bird was nesting on the community-erected platform. That Osprey family were ‘responsible’ for my new-found love for birds and the set-back on savings for camera equipment! LOLOL Now I amaze myself on seeing a bird and actually knowing what it is, in fact I usually blurt out the name as if the person with me wants to know. 🙂 hugs!