Hi Everyone, This birding by boat is in the back bays. Here is a link to the pontoon boat I was on. http://www.birdingbyboat.com/
There are many of these bird watching boats but this is through the Cape May Bird Observatory so I chose this one.
First up a Laughing Gull in the meadows.
As we head out we pass one of the many Whale & Dolphin Watching boats.
A Snowy Egret
Many beautiful houses down there. Wouldn't it be nice to get a group together and rent one for a week of bird watching?
In July this is the Osprey's who decided to nest on one of the buoy markers
A closer look at Mom w/ 3 chicks
Here is Mom in August. She is really beautiful!
She decided to take off flying right in front of us. Notice the band on her leg.
One of the large Coast Guard ships. Cape May has the only east coast training center for them.
On the Coast Guard tower there is a Peregrine Falcon! He loves this spot and is there quite often.
A Great Egret sounding off in the meadows.
Tern's nesting in July
American Oystercatchers and a Double-crested Cormorant
An Osprey family in July on one of the many man made nesting platforms.
A Willet
A Glossy Ibis
Laughing Gulls at their nest (july).
Many times these meadows get flooded and they have to start over if the chicks aren't old enough.
A Laughing Gull with her chick.
Okay I'm taking a break here. I apologize for all the pics but I would like to get through most of these on my computer and get them on discs soon. Be back in a few!
More outstanding photos Pelle. I'd love to live closer to this area and see all these beautiful creatures. Thanks for sharing them with us, I sure am enjoying them.
At the shore towns there are many things to do Parasailing,Kayaking,Waverunner's along with the tour boats, beach scene,clubs and boardwalks in certain towns. Of course the shopping is great too.
Here is a one of the Parasail boats zipping by us.
Thanks duc!
Here is a Yellow-crowned Night Heron (a new bird for me in July).
Snowy Egrets on an island. The Egrets and Herons love nesting at this spot but it is a unprotected island. From what I've heard it is a very uncomfortable place to be on since it is overloaded with all types of insects.
More beautiful Snowy Egrets
Glossy Ibis flying over the boat in August.
This is the Canyon Club. Many people who live here own beautiful sport fishing boats.
A Lesser Yellowlegs stretching his wings.
Long-billed Dowitchers
A Greater Yellowlegs hunting in the shallows.
Same bird. You can see the little splash from a very small fish to his left.
Nice trip's you had Pelletory, even caught the Peregrine Falcon, I like place's like these you never know what you will see around the corner.
Last one. A Tern flies overhead. LOL, now I can't remember what type it was. I'll be back with that answer soon.
Hope you enjoyed this thread. Have a great Holiday!
Wow, great pics. I've never been on a birding watching type cruise, seems like a lot of fun.
Hack
The Tern looks like a Forster's to me.
Thank you Hack and Burd.
The trip is fun and you learn a lot about the area and it's wildlife. I hope to go one more time before the season is over. It is challenging trying to get shots on a moving boat,especially when there is wake from other larger boats. I stand at the very front open part of the boat, I got soaked up to my knees on the August trip but we had a substitute driver. Still a great time.
Wow Pelle...I am once again ga-ga and jealous!! Renting that luxury house sounds like a winner to me and in between bird watching shopping and parasailing sounds good too! You are very lucky to be able to visit such an awesome spot...thanks for all the great shots! That shot of the Falcon on that big ship is way too cool!
Thanks so much for this thread Pelle. Fantastic pics and lots of info! :)
Thanks Jay. Here are some of the little sailboats (or are they called sunfish?)
Here is another adult Osprey near the buoy marker nest. Maybe Dad?
OK, I just read this thread! Great pics!!! As Pelle already knows, I was in Cape May the same day she was! No bird pics from me, tho. And Pelle, we saw your pontoon boat go by the Schooner we were having lunch on, I noticed the birders, (the one next to the Lobster House, it drove by us about 1:30 or so, were you on that one? Its a small world. GM
Hi Maggie, No I was not on it last Thursday, I was Hidden Valley (near Higbee Beach) and then down at the State Park till about noon.
Were you eating on the green boat to the left here in this photo?
