My Birds

Well this will be the last one. I caught this one on Labor Day taking a break. I kinda like this one.

Beautiful shots, once again, Al. It's about time I visited your website again.

Wonderful shots Met!

Forster's Tern

Resin

Beautiful photos, every one of them are so clear and sharp.

Nice set of the Forster's Tern Met!!

Thanks everyone and Resin. I debated between the 2 species. I should've gone to the ID site.

Ok it's been 10 days...wow time flies. Between family life, work and the new football season, I don't have enough time in the day. I need to clone me and send the clone to work so that I can do more birding.

well here's another set from my visit to Huntington Beach State Park - the Black Skimmer. Up till now, I had never seen one in person, but saw several pictures of them, so needless to say I was very pleased to been able to capture some photos of my own.

The remarkable bill of the Black Skimmer sets it apart from all other American birds. The large red and black bill is knife-thin and the lower mandible is longer than the upper: it's the the only bird species in the United States that has a larger lower mandible than upper mandible. The bird drags the lower bill through the water as it flies along, hoping to catch small fish.

1st photo shows the bird performing the act that represents it's name. It skims the water and when it feels a fish it closes it's mouth. But you will see later that it is not always successful in catching a fish.

2nd image shows where the Skimmer caught a fish

Another shot of the Skimmer successfully catching a fish

Here's a shot where it's just hovering over the water as if it's looking down for some fish

Here' another shot of it skimming the water

Here's a juvenile getting in on the skimming act. There was a family there with this young bird. I assume showing him/her the ropes.

Here's flight shot of the young'n

Here's an adult flight shot

Oops...almost forgot. Here's the photo where the Skimmer was not successful in catching the fish

Wow, nice shots, Al. They're incredible birds, aren't they? LOL on the idea of sending the clone to work.

Wow heck of a way to meet a new bird...Wonderful set Met!! But what if the clone takes better pictures? lol

Now, that'd be a bummer, wouldn't it?

I love the Black Skimmers! Very nice shots Met!

Such a beautiful bird! I think it's interesting to learn how they capture the fish.
Thanks for all your spectacular photos!

Nice shots of the Black Skimmer, Met. That's one on my "should have" list since they are occasionally seen along the Ocean City, MD inlet.

Thanks everyone. If the clone took better pictures, then I'd get a 2nd one and send it to work while I sat at home waiting for the paycheck from one and the bird photos from the other.

Linthicum, how's the action at Bombay Hook these days. I'm trying to get there but I am now in the mist of trying shoot little league football, plus the NFL season has started too so things are getting a bit crazy for me now.

Again thanks everyone.

Met, there is always something at Bombay Hook. Especially if you have a 1500mm lens. Lots of shorebirds. The current number of American Avocets was at 350 the last time I checked. The Great Egret and Snowy Egret numbers have dwindled considerably. Several weeks ago, their numbers were 200-300. I did get a photo of my first Snow Goose this fall season but a few more have since arrived. I also got photos of the 'Marbled Godwit' the last time I was there. It takes me about 1 3/4 hours to get there and I leave home about 5:30 a.m. I seldom stay beyond noon. If you are up to it and want to make a day of it, you could circle up to Conowingo for some afternoon eagle activity. think it's about 1 hour from Bombay Hook. I haven't been there, yet. I'm anxious but will wait a couple of weeks.

I really have been to no other place except Bombay Hook having made six trips there since mid-August. I have never been there that often because of the concern for flies, mosquitoes, etc. But, this year, for whatever reason, it hasn't been all that bad. If you go to Bombay Hook you might also check out a place called Port Mahon. It is only about 10 miles south. The Port Mahon Road is not in the best of shape. Plans are underway for the Bombay Hook NWR to eventually take over a significant part of the wildlife area so I hope they improve the road conditions. It's a good spot to see spawning Horseshoe Crabs in the the Spring just as migratory birds stop by to refuel.

I go to the Bombay Hook home page and check 'Birding' just about every day to see what's been sighted.

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/bombayhook/birdinginfo.html

Linthicum thanks for that info. As you can see, I am late responding. I have not done much birding since the LL football season started, but that's over now and I will be back in the woods.