Bald Eagles at Eastern Neck NWR
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It is time to delight with a series of our majestic Bald Eagles! These were all taken in January at Eastern Neck NWR.
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Bald Eagle habitat (shot with my wide angle lens)
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Same Bald Eagle (shot with my zoom lens)
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Bald Eagle
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Bald Eagle (immature)
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Bald Eagle
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Bald Eagles
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Bald Eagles
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Bald Eagle
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Bald Eagle (immature)
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Great Blue Heron
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Couple weeks ago I visited Eastern Neck NWR for two cold hours. A little snow was still around, and some of the water around the causeway and coves was frozen.
One of my first sightings was a Great Blue Heron fishing the low tide where it was still liquid and the wind was creating little waves.
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Great Blue Heron fishing
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Breezy, cold conditions didn’t faze the Great Blue Heron
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I moved on to leave the heron be, wishing him fishing success.
When leaving the refuge a couple hours later, I found the Great Blue Heron still fishing in the same cove; so I stopped to watch again. It was closer to the road now, and moving my direction.
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Great Blue Heron
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The skies had lighten up since I first arrived, with the sun peeking through here and there. The Great Blue Heron obliged me a nice profile during one of those sunny peeks.
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Great Blue Heron
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That look said I needed to leave. And I did. 🙂
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Five On The Wire – #7
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Five more birds chillin’ on a wire. Or at least metal. 🙂
The first two photos I discovered mulling through more of my “birds that need IDing” folder. I found these two birds on a wire during a same shoot, had to work on IDing for this series, ha! 😏 I have quite a few angle shots of each of these and others (there seemed to be a family?). I believe I’ve made positive ID on them, sharing my best shot of each one.
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Eastern Wood-Pewee #1
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If I’ve incorrectly identified either of these two as Eastern Wood-Pewees, please let me know! (Both seen same day, same fence, September 2021 in Maryland.)
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Eastern Wood-Pewee #2
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These next three are those ‘metals’ I referred to in the beginning, counting as wire, ha! The birds are too irresistible when perched so pretty on top of my feeders’ shepherd hooks. Their blue background is shaded snow, all taken couple weeks ago.
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House Finch (male)
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Blue Jay
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Northern Cardinal (female)
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Weather: we’re on the edge of the path of the powerful Nor’easter, Kenan; tonight’s forecast for us is 4-9 inches of snow and up to 40 mph winds, no worries for us. And that’s nothing compared to the blizzard conditions expected for the Northeast/New England states and eastern Canada that’s in it’s path. Prayers for everyone’s safety and warmth!
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Snow Geese Harmony
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Maybe chaotic harmony! I love reviewing these shots of Snow Geese coming straight at me, both mesmerizing and “trippy”! 😁
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Snow Geese
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Snow Geese
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Snow Geese
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Snow Geese
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Snow Geese
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Are you dizzy and/or seeing white spots now? 🥴 😉
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1-2-3 Medium Bird Jubilee – #4
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Three more of my favorite shots to share in my series of three medium-sized bird species. I am fortunate that these three hang out in my backyard quite often!
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Blue Jay
Length 9.8-11.8 in (25-30 cm)
Weight 2.5-3.5 oz (70-100 g)
Wingspan 13.4-16.9 in (34-43 cm)
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Northern Flicker, Yellow-shafted (female)
Length 11.0-12.2 in (28-31 cm)
Weight 3.9-5.6 oz (110-160 g)
Wingspan 16.5-20.1 in (42-51 cm)
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Northern Cardinal (male)
Length 8.3-9.1 in (21-23 cm)
Weight 1.5-1.7 oz (42-48 g)
Wingspan 9.8-12.2 in (25-31 cm)
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All three photos taken in my backyard, December 2021.
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1-2-3 Birds and Berries – #2
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Here’s the second post of my new series of three bird species that have the added bonus of berries (seeds) in the capture, whether around them…..or in their mouth!
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Yellow-rumped Warbler
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European Starling
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Ruby-crowned Kinglet
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Tundra Swan Fly-by
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How lucky to have a few Tundra Swans delight me in a close fly-by!
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Tundra Swan
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Wingspan 60-72 inches (152-183 cm)
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Gorgeous wingspan!
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While in flight, the Tundra Swan’s wings make a rhythmic humming or whistling sound that carries more than a mile. It is believed this may help the birds communicate with each other.
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1-2-3 Cute As Can Be – #11
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My little back yard cuties are such a delight. If they only knew! 😉
Here are three more of my recent favorites.
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Downy Woodpecker (male)
Length 5.5-6.7 in (14-17 cm)
Weight 0.7-1.0 oz (21-28 g)
Wingspan 9.8-11.8 in (25-30 cm)
(photo taken in my back yard, December 2021)
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Yellow-rumped Warbler
Length 4.7-5.5 in (12-14 cm)
Weight 0.4-0.5 oz (12-13 g)
Wingspan 7.5-9.1 in (19-23 cm)
(photo taken in my back yard, December 2021)
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Song Sparrow – check out those big feet!
Length 4.7-6.7 in (12-17 cm)
Weight 0.4-1.9 oz (12-53 g)
Wingspan 7.1-9.4 in (18-24 cm)
(photo taken in my back yard, October 2021)
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Five On The Wing – #24
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Let’s go flying with five different bird species! Enjoy!
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Bald Eagle (immature)
Wingspan 69-90 inches (175-228 cm)
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Double-crested Cormorant
Wingspan 44-48 inches (112-122 cm)
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Snow Geese
Wingspan 55-59 inches (139-150 cm)
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Tundra Swans
Wingspan 60-72 inches (152-183 cm)
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Northern Harrier
Wingspan 40-46.5 inches (102-118 cm)
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Tundra Swans Ice Takeoff
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I was watching several birds from afar for a while, including several Tundra Swans spread out on the ice. Everyone was resting, not a care in the world. I was hoping for a swan takeoff.
And I almost missed it! Looking elsewhere, I caught the movement out of the corner of my eye. A pair were suddenly on the run across the ice.
Averaging about 3 feet tall, 13 to 20 pounds, with a wingspan of 5 to 6 feet, that’s a lot of bird to get in the air.
Here’s how they do it! I stayed with them and took 10 photos for the airborne shot.
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Tundra Swans beginning their takeoff
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It takes a lot of distance….
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With a lot of wing strides…..
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And a lot of running…..
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To lift that body…..
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Into the air!
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Airborne!
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Bay Photos by Donna 