Pipe Creek Wildlife Area part 3

the little island was pretty congested...

then everyone took to the air...intruder alert

no matter what I do my Eagle shots just don't come out good...took around 50 shots and only a got couple of keeper's...

a close-up of the last shot...

last shot for now...glad I get a little change from Sheldon's for a while....Long-billed Dowitcher's

Edited to add...may have a new bird...its currently in the Id forum...love this place.

This message was edited Aug 3, 2010 2:35 AM

Lovely shots Burd! Love the last group Tern pic!

What a wonderful bunch of birds, Burd. You did well with the eagle shot. You managed to get a couple of keepers out of 50 shots. I'll often delete a hundred out of a hundred and one shots.

Burd, excellent photos. Pipe Creek looks like a perfect spot for all kinds of water birds. Those are the kind of spots that make your day. I particularly like that big flock of terns.

Your Bald Eagle photos are a reminder to me that I'm only about 3 months away from spending a great deal of time locally with the migrating eagles. I noticed that the shutter speed on the one flying Bald Eagle was only 1/250/ sec. You did well considering the slow speed, at 400mm. Unfortunately, one doesn't always have time to make camera setting adjustments when a Bald Eagle enters the sky. Somehow, you need to get the shutter speed up to at least 1/1000 sec to 1/1600 sec. Especially hand holding the camera/lens. I would even try using a manual setting on occasion. I always have my manual setting preset so I can quickly switch back and forth between aperture priority and manual. How far do you have to walk to get to your favorite spot ? Have you tried using a tripod at that location ? Anyway, hope you don't mind the comments/suggestions.


I look forward to seeing more of the action at Pipe Creek.

I enjoyed seeing all your photos too. Looks like you found a wonderful variety to enjoy and photograph. Great job!!

Looks like you had a great outing!!

Thanks all! Linth, I don't mind the comments at all...It was very bright out and I assumed my shutter speed would hold up while I was shooting...lol nope. It take's about 20 min. to get to my spot...and Ive taken the tripod on a couple of occasions but it was for the Warbler's during the spring, but I will be taking it next time for sure and the 1.4 converter.
There were about 40 Caspian Tern's and just as many Forsters Tern's there were also many smaller shore bird's scattered about. This was about a 45 minutes walk through the creek. I'll also take the 250mm lens to show a better view of the creek area.

I will agree not a Lesser Yellowlegs...but maybe a Stilt Sandpiper? New bird if true..also the Semipalmated Sandpiper was also a new bird..the (new bird) streak is alive at this place. :)

a shot of a Lesser Yellowlegs

another shot of the bird in question.

one more...lol

Edited to say...maybe not a Stilt SP...your call now Resin.lol

This message was edited Aug 4, 2010 12:01 AM

Fairly certain the mystery bird in the last few pics is Solitary Sandpiper - did you see if it had a dark, or white, rump?

Are you sure there's just one bird involved though? The bird together with the yellowlegs in first pic (in post #8014824, the one I quoted above) looks more like a Pectoral Sandpiper.

Resin

Enjoyed looking at your birds Burd. I've seen a documentary on lake Erie this week, and it a very important area, for a great variety of birds. A birders' Paradis.

Thanks Burn! I am astounded myself at what is up here...I guess when you raise children you don't get too much time to stop and notice whats around you...now that my kids are out and on their own I'm getting to take it all in once again and love every minute of it. Can't wait until my grandson gets a little older and can go with grandpa on some of these excursions. ;)

So true,.......... and bringing the grand kids back to nature, what a great way, to teach them to appreciate the wonderful things in life.

Added some picture's of the Creek this time...just showing my path to my spot.

First is the main path that leads to the marsh area of Pipe Creek.

When I get to the end of the main path I have the option of taking path's to the right (the outer edge of the marsh) which is a 30 minute walk to my spot, or take the one on the left which is a shorter trip to the center...I usually go left.

That last path was overgrown last month about 4 foot high weed's...blah. After walking that last path, I have an option of going straight (federal trespass) during summer (Common Tern) nesting ground..or I can take a right...lol which leads out to the center of the marsh.

a view of the right side of the marsh...

its much bigger than the photo allows...here's the left side..(my current focus).

along the paths side's...I will see Indigo Bunting's, American Goldfinches, House Finches, Song Sparrow's, Eastern Kingbird's and of course Red-winged Blackbird's.

Indigo Bunting

a juvenile male Indigo Bunting...

dad was keeping an eye on me while I was near junior..

Caspian Tern's are abundant up here on Lake Erie.

Look's like the fall Duck Season will be productive...lol

Great Egret and Snowy Egret giving a size comparison...

Dowitcher's...that white stripe along the back is tell tale...both long-billed and short billed have the stripe...well according to my field guide anyways.

I,m calling the little island (Serenity Island)...every one is at peace when on the island.

more Snowy Egrets...Pipe Creek is not massive but it sure has put on a show for me...and I enjoy sharing it with all of you.

This message was edited Aug 7, 2010 12:55 AM

last shot for now...I have a few Sandpiper's on the Id forum...want to make sure I tell you the correct bird when posting their picture's...will be visiting often as I can...I know these picture's are not the greatest quality but my goal right now is to process the season's and the visitor's and who will be here and when. Till next time.

Pectoral Sandpiper's...at least I think they are..lol

Great shots, Burd. Fantastic variety of birds and it's really good to see what the area you visit looks like. That Indigo sure is wary of you.

Beautiful shots Burd!! Looks like a great area.