"On the Waterfront" - Part 6

Photo #6 .......

Photo #7 .......

Photo # 8, and last, of this series the 'Common Yellowthroat'.

Linth, your photos of that beautiful bird are wonderful, as is your description of what else is around you. Thanks.

Great shots Linth!

Oh that yellowthroat is just adorable!

I thank you and the "Yellowthroat" thanks you, also ......

I'm literally surrounded by water at these wetlands. The river/bay is usually to my back because of the morning sun while I face the more expansive part of the wetlands. Often something comes in behind me and I'm not prepared as it glides past. Thank goodness for the ease of the Wimberley head in quickly swinging the camera and lens around on the tripod. It makes it a "piece of cake". Well, maybe a small slice !

Anyway, the 'Glossy Ibis' frequent this habitat. I haven't taken any decent ground photos of them yet this year but I did get them in flight the last time I was at Swan Creek. They are a neat and interesting bird. It is a relative newcomer to North America and populations have expanded but there is some growing concern because of decrease in habitat as wetlands are drained. Recent chronic losses have prompted the listing of the Glossy Ibis as a “species of conservation concern” in Delaware and Virginia; “imperiled” in Georgia and Louisiana; and a “species of greatest conservation need” in New York. So, I find it exciting to see that they have chosen the Swan Creek wetlands as a place to spend their summer. I live about 15 minutes from the place.

Another 'Glossy Ibis' ........

And, lastly a photo sequence shot of the 'Glossy Ibis' as he heads out over the water ......

Oh I love those shots!!

You have outdid yourself on the Yellowthroat and Ibis photos! So clear and sharp. Both are just such beautiful birds.

All great shots Linth and I agree with Duc on the Yellowthroat and the Glossy Ibis...I would be proud to hang any of them on my wall! That first one of the Ibis really shows the colors....excellent work!

Thanks pelle, duc & rose.

Each Spring & Summer, this area is fortunate to also have the 'Least Tern'. The Least Tern is the smallest of the Terns, about 9" in length and is listed as a "threatened specie" in Maryland. The pressures of growth and development in Maryland have resulted in a scarcity of high quality natural sites and Least Terns now frequently nest at "unnatural" locations such as building roofs, dredged material islands, and areas graded just prior to development. The habitat here at Swan Creek fits this definition perfectly of an unnatural location. I also know of a nearby location where they return each year and nest on the rooftop of an industrial building.

They are a joy to watch as they dive into the water and It is virtually impossible to follow them into the water with a camera. And, they are an almost equal challenge to follow their flight in the air.

But, here are two photos of the 'Least Tern'.

And, the second photo ......

Wonderful shots or should I say "catches" of this beautiful little Tern!

pelle, they were lucky whatever one calls them.

And, here is that Osprey that is constantly annoyed by my presence. The environmental personnel had planned to move the nesting site farther away from the roadway/walkway but never got around to it. Once I get far enough away from the nest, she does settle in. Maybe, next time I'll bring her some fish.

She's not a happy camper ......

I finally had to send out one of my friends to put her in her place ..... the Red-winged Blackbird.

I haven't seen too many 'Snowy Egrets' at Swan Creek but in the course of a morning a few will come and go.

Awesome shots of that Least Tern. I didn't realize they were so small. I enjoyed seeing the Osprey and Egret too. That second photo of the Osprey is really, really good the way it's watching you.

Great sets Linth!! Really like the Glossy Ibis sequence and I agree that getting a Tern shot while its diving is very hard even when you think your ready for the shot. Red-winged Blackbird's mean business a very courageous bird.

Fantastic shots, Linth. The photos of the Terns are brilliant and well, you know how I feel about ospreys.

Trying to catch up this morning...

Always gorgeous Charlie! Love the Least Tern and the Osprey photos!

Have you been reading about the least tern nesting sites in Louisiana? So very sad!

Thanks, all.

Rose, what makes matters even worse, is that these terns may be the "Interior Least Tern" specie which is already classified as "endangered" in Louisiana. Hopefully, most of them have nested farther inland, along the rivers.

I certainly don't mean to trivialize it but war brings casualties and to some extent we are waging a war against this oil spill. I just don't like to read about situations where it is alleged that some workers have wantonly wiped out some of the nesting sites. Marine life, aquatic plant life and waterfowl are indeed, paying a heavy price. Time will tell how mankind responds to this travesty.

Linth, love your pictures. They are so crisp and clear. That Glossy Ibis is awesome, and lovely work on the white birds. I've only seen the Common Yellowthroat once here. I agree, they are not an easy subject to photograph.

Well, its been almost a month since I added any photos to this thread. It's just been too darn hot to get out there. Last weekend I thought I would visit Downs Park, on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay. I was last there about five weeks earlier and three chicks were in the nest. When I got there this past weekend, the nest was empty. I didn't know what to expect since I knew that they would still be close by. They didn't disappoint me. For three hours they kept me quite busy flying back-and-forth. A man-made structure was built for them some distance from the shoreline. It's ideal for photography in that I set up my camera and tripod on a viewing pavilion, over looking the Bay. The best part is that it is in the shade. I don't like to rough it !

What was most fascinating was their playful behavior in the water. It was like a bunch of kids in a pool. I suppose they were practicing for when they have to be self sufficient, which is soon. So, here are some of the photos taken last weekend.

The first is a close-up of a fly-by. Sometimes they were too close for a 500mm lens so you have to salvage the photo like this.

They would fly back-and-forth from their nest to a dead tree off to my right. The only problem with the dead tree was that it was in the shade.

I have difficulty distinguishing between the adults and juveniles so I don't try. I assume that all three chicks survived.

And, here they are sitting in the dead tree. All three of these appeared to be females.

Here is one of them which appears to have a slightly awkward landing. But, she made it.

Okay, time for a little dip in the Chesapeake Bay ..........

Wow, this is fun !!!

I think I'll just float around for awhile ......

Hey guys, come on it and cool off a bit !

Okay, here I come ......

This is the way Michael Phelps does the breaststroke ........

That's okay, I'll just do the freestyle .......

That's too easy, try the butterfly stroke !

Uh-Oh !!! I think Mom is angry .......

An intruder overhead ......

Quick, get under !!!