"On the Waterfront" - Part 4

2 Dark Morph Snow Geese ......

Beautiful!

As I recall, a recent discussion ensued about the Ring-necked Duck and why it is called such. As previously mentioned some people also refer to it as a Ring-billed Duck. But it got its name because it does have sort of a cinnamon colored band around its neck. It is seldom seen. Today, I got my first photo of a Ring-necked which displays what looks like a ring around his neck. His neck was outstretched as he started to paddle faster, away from that strange duck on the shore bank, holding a camera.

Flying overhead was this Red-tailed Hawk against a beautiful blue sky.

A Canada Goose standing in the snow, slightly above eye level ........

Just off the shoreline, I encountered this male Pileated Woodpecker against a highly backlit background.

A few more Ring-necked Ducks well off the shoreline.

The Ring-necked Ducks are so handsome! Great shots Linth!

Love that Ring-necked. I sure wouldn't have noticed that cinnamon color on the neck. Great photos. I sure wouldn't worry about the bright sun and the pileated.

A 'Great Blue Heron' preparing to land ........

I visited Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday and Monday. No real surprises except for the fairly recent storm damage that occurred to the ocean side beach area ...... tremendous erosion. I arrived mid-afternoon on Sunday and repeated some of the area the next morning. That way, I got the benefit of the different lighting scenarios.

My first stop tends to always be across from a grove of trees where I can always find a nesting pair of Bald Eagles. You pretty much need binoculars to first locate them since they're well off the roadway. Once located, I just laid my 500mm lens on the car rooftop, with a pillow. This is what I saw through a 500mm lens, still quite small.

Then, here is a photo of the female Bald Eagle sitting in her nest, with a 100% crop. Probably a teleconverter would have helped somewhat but I tend to use them sparingly. This is good enough for me considering I couldn't see her with the naked eye.

Off to the left, not far away, I found the male in the same grove of trees. They have been nesting in this same location for a number of years. The wildlife loop is only open to vehicles after 3:00 p.m. each day. Before then, only pedestrians and bikers have access.

This is a photo showing some of the work underway. You can see the Atlantic Ocean in the background which you couldn't before from this vantage point. And, where the mounds of sand are piled up, there was a roadway and plenty of parking. There is no vehicle access for now ..... only walking.

Another Great Blue Heron photo. The effect of the late afternoon sun is starting to cast its color on the subject.

Wow that is a shame about all the erosion. I hate to see that.

The shots are wonderful Linth!

Thanks, pelle. Our tax dollars ARE at work in this undertaking ......

Nothing more eye-catching than the Tundra Swans against a blue sky, or blue-shaded water. I saw quite a few at Chincoteague and especially at Blackwater, where I stopped on the way back home.

I only saw one Double-crested Cormorant ....... at Chincoteague.

One more, as he takes off across the pond.

Always nice to see the Brant. I saw a nice flock right outside of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge entrance.

It doesn't take long for them (Brant) to start swimming away ......

The Tundra Swan do look beautiful with the blue water. I always like to see the Cormorants and the Brant are very handsome.

Such beautiful shots Linth...I can't say enough about how enjoyable your thread are.

Really nice shots Linth!! Really like the GBH shot and the Tundra Swan look great!

Wonderful photos! Sorry about the erosion problem. It's nice to know that some tax dollars are actually doing some good.
Love all the nesting eagle shots. That 500mm lens does nice work. Fabulous photo of the swans and I'm amazed by the cormorant spreading the wings-wow! That Brant is a beautiful duck too. Sure glad you're making these trips!

Thank you all for your comments. I make a trip to Chincoteague at least twice a year. I've been trying to schedule visits during different months to get a feel for the different species that might stop by. I avoid the summer months entirely because of high people volume, and mosquitoes. One month makes a lot of difference.

The Osprey have been arriving here in Maryland. Numerous sightings have been reported. After a nice weekend last week we are scheduled for a lot of upcoming rain this weekend. Anyway, it gives me time to sort through and play with some of the photos taken last weekend.

I assume that the Great Egrets may be a little more tolerable of cool or cold weather than the Snowy Egrets. I saw a lot of Great Egrets but no Snowies. Both make excellent photo subjects against a darker background. Here is one of the Great Egrets that I photographed.

Stunning Linth!! As many egrets as I've even seen on our lake, I have only seen the fine feathers like in your photo once and that was on a snowy. Maybe this spring will be my turn to see a sight as beautiful as yours. For now, I'll just drool over your photo.

I see you got the Redhead...congrats and beautiful photo

Gorgeous shot of the Egret Linth!

Thanks, again.

duc, I agree. This was the best one that I have seen displaying their fine feathers. And, the breeze was just perfect. Floridian used to post some excellent photos of the Snowy Egret's fine feathers here on Dave's Garden.

Another photo of a Tundra Swan w/ wings spread ........ they will be departing shortly, for parts north.

A Bald Eagle flying overhead at Blackwater on Monday afternoon.

A male Red-breasted Merganser photo taken at Chincoteague over the weekend. I accidentally duplicated this post on the Daily Pics thread.

There was still a nice-sized flock of Snow Geese at Chincoteague. They are usually found at the same location each year on the refuge.

A male 'Northern Shoveler'. There were quite a few around Chincoteague but sometimes difficult to photograph because they are constantly foraging. So one has to be patient.

And, a female 'Northern Shoveler'.

Another 'Shoveler' photo ...... they are quite colorful in good light.

This is what you see most of the time ...... or their heads completely underwater.

Great shots Linth! Those male Northern Shovelers are such a great looking duck with all their colors and you captured him beautifully.

Charlie... loved your eagle shots from Chincoteague. I am wanting to get back there so bad! You and I will have to chat again on the whereabouts of that nest! All your shots are great!

Nice shots Linth!! Love the way you did the Great Egret shot with the wildlife area it came from!