"On the Waterfront" - Vol. #7

Thanks much for the information Linth. I'm going to practice with that Spot metering and see if that helps me. There's so much to remember, maybe I'm too old to do that, but I'll keep trying! Thank goodness for people like you to help me learn!

Are you kidding, duc. I don't think you need much help. I'm still learning myself. Have you ever tried the "bracketing" feature ? I haven't but it makes sense to me. I just do a lot of brainstorming and research. Professional photographers never show their bad pictures and they do take some. So, even the best can't produce a quality photo if the conditions don't allow it, especially when one is reacting quickly to the situation.

This is a Semipalmated Plover on the left and a Sandpiper on the right. I'm no good in differentiating the Sandpipers. My guess is that it is a Semipalmated Sandpiper ?

In the last few days, birders at Bombay Hook have recorded the Least Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper and 3,000 Semipalmated Sandpipers. I can't tell the difference between most of them.

I've got a bunch of shorebird photos that I will post and hopefully someone (Resin) can help me identify them. As I mentioned, the last two times I've been to Bombay Hook I've taken a total of 2300 photos. I can't save them all and probably have some of these Sandpipers and don't know it.

Another Semipalmated Plover photo ......

Great pictures. I'll look into that "bracketing"-thanks!

I'd guess that probably is a Semi-p Sand, but it isn't in the best of positions to tell for certain!

Resin

That's a veritable poverty of pipers, Linth.

Oh boys I have a lot to learn about my camera. :) Love the info you gave, now if I can only remember, when I take the picture.
Always enjoyed your photos Linth, so crisp. wonderful group pics, and just love the grosbeak.

Thanks, again. Most of my recent photo activity has been photographing the Snowy Egrets and Great Egrets. Why ? One could not ask for a better contrast between the white Egrets and the blue sky and reflective blue water. I've taken so many (hundreds) photos of them. It's a shame to discard most of them but I can't keep them all. So, hopefully, you will be somewhat indulgent in allowing me to post a bunch of Egret photos.

And, by the way Margaret, repeat "a veritable poverty of pipers" five times real fast. I'll be back with a few pipers later but, in the meantime, here's a few recent photos.

I took a burst of photos of this Snowy Egret gliding across the water. The images before and after display obvious reflections whereas this one shows barely a ripple.

A Great Egret gliding low across the water at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

A 'Snowy Egret' becoming airborne against the blue sky.

To me, this photo is begging for a caption as the Great Egret peers down at the Snowy.

A ' Snowy Egret' with opened wings.

A nice flock of Snowy Egrets. Recent estimates at Bombay Hook have been fairly constant ..... 200 Snowy Egrets, 200 Great Egrets. I arrived early in the morning. The tide was low, the sky was blue and the light was right. However, as the morning progressed and the tide changed, they dispersed to other areas. And, the lighting became more challenging.
Four hours travel time and four hours there but it was worth it.

A few 'American Avocets' among the Snowy Egrets. Estimates of American Avocets have been as high as 400.

A single Great Egret among the Snowies ......

"Let's have a party".

A single Great Egret standing in sky reflected blue water .......

A close-up view of an in-flight Great Egret .......

Last one in this series of photos. A Snowy Egret enjoying the morning sun ....... Both Egrets sure keep their white feathers clean.

Lovely, Linth. The party looks like fun.

Beautiful set Linth!! I would have taken many photo's too. That water is also beautiful! They go together very well.

Wonderful set Linth!

Sure looks like migration is coming in with all those shots. Are these from Bombay Hook? I hope to get more warblers this fall. Also, I will be at Conowingo a bit earlier this season.

Thanks, everyone.

Yes, Met, these photos were all taken at Bombay Hook. It is an excellent place for migratory birds. The insects have been tolerable but will probably get worse before cold weather sets in. I'm trying to learn the tidal impact on various species because it plays an important role on where and how close the birds will be, to photograph. For now, I only visit in the morning, and only when the sun is shining and the tide is low. But, as you well know, anytime can be a good time.

I'll be at Conowingo probably starting in mid-October. A few migratory Bald Eagles have already arrived but my concentration is currently elsewhere. I've also been seeing a few Bald Eagles every time I have been to Bombay Hook.

Here's a first year Bald Eagle photo taken last week at Bombay Hook.

And, here is a second year Bald Eagle ........

One thing for sure is that there is usually something in the air. This is a photo of a 'Northern Harrier' circling high above the Bombay Hook wetlands.

Another photo of the Northern Harrier. They are a neat looking hawk with their owl-like facial features.

One more of the Northern Harrier. The white patch on its rump is a dead giveaway.

And then closer to ground level I find a lot of Glossy Ibis circling the area.

Nice ones Linth! I've always loved the Northern Harrier. Good to see the Glossy Ibis too.

Great shots. Nice to see the Harrier photos, sure are good looking raptors.

Nice shots Linth!! Nice ones of the N. Harrier...a bird I thought I would get more shots of after seeing it at the creek. Easy to Id with the white patch for sure.

All so beautiful Linth.

A 'Green Heron' flying by in the early morning.

A Double-crested Cormorant sitting just off of the roadway.

A small group of Double-crested Cormorants .......

A pair of 'Cattle Egrets' taking flight .......

A Tri-colored Heron passing by ........

Another photo of the Tri-colored Heron. It winters mostly in Central America. Formerly known as the 'Louisiana Heron'.

Great job Linth! Love the Tri-colored Heron.