A couple of days ago, on a very dreary and overcast morning, I was out on the boardwalk with several other birders, photographers, and walkers. We were watching the Great Blue Herons fly back and forth across the water with small branches, on their way to and from their nesting areas. This one, however, was […]
It is fascinating to observe the feeding behaviors of the large wading birds in our Wetlands. The Roseate Spoonbill featured above was using the steady, back-and-forth foraging motion this beautiful bird uses to find and capture its prey.Through a unique process called tactolocation, the Roseate feeds in shallow water by sweeping its large spoon-shaped bill from side to side. […]
The Great Blue Herons are still very busy courting and getting ready to start their new families together. “Sometimes I wonder where my partner has flown off to. . . . When will he finally get back here with some more good sturdy sticks . . . !” Off to work – Looking quite business-like […]
This beauty above is one of the magnificent Great Blue Herons who court and mate and raise their young in our local Wetlands. “He flies through the air, with the greatest of ease . . .” Bringing yet another branch to the nest. . . . This gigantic male Great Blue Heron was en route back to […]
The American Bittern featured above is one of those special, elusive birds that we don’t see out in the open very often. Several birders stood watching him for the longest time . . . waiting for him to just DO something! Meantime, he was very accommodating to stand in this little clearing and be […]
Exciting news!! They have arrived! The Great Blue Herons are coming back and are beginning to settle in at the wetlands rookery. Today was the first time this fall that I saw them ‘displaying’, as in this arched neck posture, and jockeying for the best nesting sites on the tree island. They looked just magical in […]
Visited a lovely preserve called Peaceful Waters Sanctuary this week. Such an apt name! Even in the rain, it was a pleasure to walk the trails and the boardwalk – not a soul around, just a few Herons and I enjoying this very tranquil spot. On my second trip, today, the handsome Green Heron was […]
The other morning was the chilliest so far this fall, and completely overcast, with occasional drizzle, so I wasn’t sure I’d see much on my walk. But I was delighted to encounter several of my favorite bird friends! The Wood Stork featured above was foraging among the marsh grasses, when he suddenly leapt up and made a […]
Humans have a curious need to classify the elements of the natural world around us, and to assign names to these wonders. I wrote last week about my experiences with learning to identify birds, and how important this also seems to be to passersby who often ask, “Excuse me, but do you know which bird […]
There is something very special about taking a mid-afternoon walk on Friday in the wetland preserve, with the sun shining and a lovely breeze blowing. I know that in just a few hours, SHABBAT will begin, a beautiful day of rest and quiet. The ever-present song of Red-Winged Blackbirds flying about in the rushes is […]
Birder's Journey 