"On the Waterfront" - Part 3

Thank you all for your kind comments.

Karen, I have visited the Eagle Festival on numerous occasions. I usually attend only to get some close-up photos of various raptors. It's a nice event. However, I only go if the weather is going to be nice. I'm sure you have seen the schedule of events so you can participate in whatever you wish, leave and comeback, drive around the wildlife loop, walk various trails, etc. They have an Open House once a year, also. That being said, I generally prefer visiting Blackwater when it is least crowded.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge covers a large area. So, if you intend to visit on a frequent or occasional basis you might want to consider buying a Dorchester County Map. One often sees wildlife when and where they least expect it.

The other day, I pulled into the visitor center parking lot and thought I saw something sitting in an adjacent dead tree to the left of the visitor center. I was surprised to see a pair of hawks which I think are Red-tailed Hawks.

Wow Charlie... that's nice! I just recently viewed a photo of a pair of eagles from there, and I will bet you it was the same tree!

I have not seen the schedule of events yet, but I have made definite plans to go, including reservations at a nearby hotel so we can get an early start that Saturday morning!

I PRAY the weather will be nice... but none of us can know!

Karen, I posted a photo earlier on this thread (January 20th) of two Bald Eagles sitting in a tree similar to this one. The Bald Eagles perch on a dead tree along the wildlife drive while the hawks usually perch on a dead tree to the left of the visitor center, as you enter the parking lot.

They have one trail closed off now because of an eagle nest since they do not want it disturbed. If you visit, I recommend taking Egypt Road, left off of Route #16, about two miles after you turn off of Route #50. That is the way I always go to Blackwater. Why ? Because, this time of the year, that is where the Tundra Swans sit in the field on the right side of the road. Secondly, you may see Bald Eagles sitting in the fields, also. If you're looking for Kestrels you are apt to see them on the wires on the left side of the road. It is difficult to get any photos of them because as soon as you stop, they take off. The best way to photograph them is to let someone else drive, you sit in the backseat with your camera out the window and drive slowly by. But, good luck !!!

If you get a chance also stop by at the end of Oakley Street, in Cambridge. The end is right at the Choptank River. This is where all of the ducks congregate.

If you have any specific questions just send a D-mail .......

ALERT, ALERT ..... 2nd egg at Blackwater nest ..... photo just taken around 4:56 p.m. EST.

That's great news!

Charlie! I am so sorry! It WAS your photo that I had seen! My aplogies!
There is a guy on Flickr that I follow that does alot of work at Conowingo, Blackwater, and Bombay Hook.
I did not mean to get your work confused with his.

I will keep you in mind as time gets closer, with directions and tips! I am really looking forward to it, especially since I could not make it to Conowingo Dam this winter.

And I am ITCHING to go back to Chincoteague too! I am hoping to get back there in April or May.

Karen, a lot of people have taken photographs of eagles in that tree so it could have been anyone. No need to apologize. BTW, who is the photographer on Flickr that you follow. Is it Nikographer (Jon) ? He takes great photos ....

I think this year, I'm going to try to hit Chincoteague in late February, early March. I'll check on E-bird to see what is there before I go .....

The Redhead population is healthy with an estimate of over 1 million in 2009. I was lucky to see any since it is estimated that 80 percent of the North American redhead population winters in the Laguna Madre of Texas and Mexico. Here's a close-up photo of the male Redhead.

A Canada Goose tip-toeing across the ice .......

This is a male American Wigeon ........

Nice ones Linth! The male American Wigeons are very handsome.

Oh, I'd hate to think of another oil spill wiping out so many birds again.

Gorgeous photos!!

Linthicum, wonderful wonderful pictures. Loved the one of the duck flying sort of toward you ---1968

Donna

Nice going Linthicum

The curtain has dropped, i.e. a curtain of Snow Geese. Yesterday, I took a trip to the eastern shore of Maryland. Despite a nice sunny day, my hands and face felt like they were frozen. Still a little too windy and cold for me. I was there about 7 hours and just couldn't pull myself away from the Snow Geese, thousands of them. I have no idea how they can find their mate but they apparently do. The scene of them rising from the water or ground is just breathtaking. Although I have witnessed the scene often, I am constantly in awe.

I took over a thousand photos, many of the same setting, so it will take me a while to sort through them. I am constantly looking for neck collars on the Snow Geese but I didn't see one. Maybe I will find one in the photos as I go through them.

This is one that would make a good jig-saw puzzle, or a shower curtain.

The Snow Geese and Tundra Swans make a beautiful sight against the blue sky. I didn't see the Tundra Swans in large numbers. Either they were elsewhere or have headed back north.

Here is a single Snow Goose flying overhead.

Another flight shot ......

I did see a few other waterfowl species. Here is a female Lesser Scaup. I will be posting a lot more photos as I venture through them.

Great shots Linth! The Snow Geese and Lesser Scaup are so pretty!

The snow geese migrating as well? Lovely picture of the flock.

I'd love it for a shower curtain.

All good, Linth but wow, that first shot is fantastic. It reminds me of a shot of Canvasbacks you posted 12 or so months ago. Brilliant.

I think it's beautiful, like some MC Escher print.

linthicum - Beautiful work, thank you for sharing. Looking forward to more once you get thru more of your images.

Thanks, all. Last month, I photographed one lonely male 'Redhead' among a large group of Canvasbacks. Yesterday I went back and there he was, one lonely male among the Canvasbacks. Redheads tend to be a favorite to many bird watchers. Here he is again.

One more of the 'Redhead'.

This is the male 'Lesser Scaup' ......

A close-up of the female 'Lesser Scaup'.

A photo of the male 'Lesser Scaup' stretching his wings ......

'Canvasbacks' in a feeding frenzy ........

A Canada Goose standing in the snow. The eastern shore had a lot less snow then we did and they are only about 1 1/2 hours southeast.

A few Snow Geese flying against the blue sky .........

And one coming in for a landing ......

Where's our leader ?

Until recently, the Blue Geese, as the dark birds were called, were considered a separate species. They are now recognized as merely a dark form (or "morph") of the Snow Goose. Here is the white form followed by the darker "morph" variation.

A few more coming into land ..... two white and one dark.

Another similar shot ......

Linth, those are all fantastic shots! I waited a little bit to post, wanted to make sure you were finished..couldn't wait to see the next. lol Yes, that would make a great shower curtain. lol My favorites are your 1st shots of the Red-head and the Lesser Scaup, those 2 shots are stunning!! Nat Geo worthy for sure!

Thanks, Burd. I usually give a person 5 minutes to post another photo. I was well beyond that. And, it's no big deal anyway. As I mentioned, I took a lot of photos so it is rather time consuming to sort through them. So, I will be posting additional photos periodically until everyone gets tired of them.

This is a photo of the current minority specie (Canada Geese) while the Snow Geese gather in large numbers in preparation for the trip north within a few weeks.

This message was edited Feb 21, 2010 10:47 PM

Another 'Canada Goose' ......