exploring in spring

Spring gives me the itch to go looking for waterfowl. To see what I can see. Photography + Birds + Water = Reflections. All things that bring me joy. 

I didn't go birding at all last year, because of my circumstances. I was going to head out alone on Saturday. I decided to ask Brad if he had any interest. He agreed to come with, so I switched birding locations. YAY!! I stick pretty close to my truck when I am solo on a photography outing. Not nearly as much fun as experiencing and sharing sights. Exploring nature area's with my guy, makes me very very happy!!  

We went back to a SNA (State Natural Area) where we found gobs of swans in 2022. I wasn't expecting to find many floaters this time. After all it is early season, or so I thought. The gobs of swans were spotted March 15th, 6 days later than this year's hike. 

Interesting to see the difference. This year the waterscape is completely thawed.

Bakkens Pond
3/9/24

We explored a completely different area of the SNA and discovered we could walk out on a looong dike. It weaves between one of the pond areas and marsh wetland. It was too cool for school! Except for dodging Goose poop and the surprise dead carp. One, two, BLECH a whole pile of dead bodies!!! Thank goodness the massacre was only in one short span. I screamed like a girl when I almost stepped on a carp. I was trying to avoid looking at the pile of dead fish. Lets just say Brad had a good laugh. 

we walked on flattened marshy grass

The majority of the walk was like heaven. Cool breeze, warm sun and lots & lots of sparkling water. Ahhh. My favorite kind of hiking weather! We more or less had the SNA to ourselves. There were a couple vehicles coming/going in the parking lots, but we didn't run into anyone while hiking. Unless you count a pair of Canadian Geese.

gate keepers of the dikes let us pass and floated away
(Canadian Goose)

We spotted a few birds in the distance, like this gull:

Pairs of swans were incoming at a distance:

After walking deep into the SNA, we found two smaller flocks of swans. Canadian Geese were scattered just about everywhere. Always.

Tundra Swan

my favorite swan photo of the day
3/9/24

yum?

Don't fall off your chair, but I decided not to shoot with my beloved 70-200mm lens. I figured it was bright enough outside and the birds would be further out. I was right. I used my 100-400mm "wildlife" lens, with no extenders. The quotation marks are because a true wildlife lens starts at 400mm. I just don't think the off brand wildlife lens are sharp enough. Yes, I am a bit of a snob when it comes to sharpness. The good Canon wildlife lenses are stupid expensive. So, I continue learning to shoot with what I have.

All I can say is 'eh. This lens is not as sharp IMO. Although all these photos are shot handheld.  A monopod would have helped with this heavier lens. Whoops! I am rambling camera speak. Back to the bird outing:

 note to self: remember to change focal points

stretching always feels good

We were far enough away that the swans were aware of us, but did not seem bothered.

One flock

reflections make me trigger happy

We got to the end of the dike and found a small but powerful sparkly waterfall.

bubbly view from the top

Of course, we took twosies ~ or tried ~ before turning around and heading back. I was hoping we could walk all the way around, but that would require waders.

See what I have to put up with?!!

Brad's twosies are better than mine

There are a few houses with a view that border part of the SNA.

I would never get anything done if this was outside my windows!

How many swans do you see in this second flock?

We drove to another parking area and took a much shorter second hike. It was pretty and a bit less windy, but there wasn't much to see floating. The area below is where all the swans were in 2022. I photographed them from a walking path in the tree line below (left). The only open water that year was closer to that shore. 

view from another dike

(across the pond from where we hiked in 2022)

We discovered several other new paths/areas to explore this expansive SNA further in the future. It has so much to offer, a unique gem!

..........................

Jameson & Tank were waiting at home to go on their daily walk. I had no desire to haul my camera again. I sure wish I had. A big bird with a large wing span flew off a branch, not far above my head. No clue how I didn't spot it! All I could do was watch as the bird flew in a low-ish arc, up and away. It had white-ish under wing feathers. It landed across the neighbors field. Boo hoo! Because of the flight pattern, I think it may have possibly been an owl. 

Call me crazy, after finishing the dog walk I headed back out to that area without them. This time I hauled my camera & binoculars. Just incase. No big bird was spotted, but it was worth it. Mr. Bluebird hopped every two fence posts allll the way down to the path with me. Lol! It was really funny. I really think he is a returning resident of our nesting box 2.

Eastern Bluebird (male)

3/9/24

Sunday Sights

Another Tuesday, another trip north to the car dealer. This time to replace transmission lines on my truck. I figure it's better to spend two & a half hours waiting inside with all their amenities, than stranded on the side of some road.

I almost went straight home afterwards. Almost. 

Instead, I went back to the hot spot I was at last Tuesday. Before it is overflowing with fishermen and all the waterfowl go somewhere else. I have been there more than once and not seen anything but a seagull or two. 

Of course, the first thing I saw were American Pelicans. They are in all larger bodies of water around here right now. There was a good sized flock of 35-ish floating around. I couldn't help but shoot one as it flew overhead:

A Blue Heron flew within reach of my camera:

Red-winged Blackbirds were making a fuss

Pied-Billed Grebe

Any idea what bird this is?

It was small, and ducked under water for extended dives. It was floating alone. Notice the white tipped bill & red eye. Perhaps a juvenile of some kind of red-eyed waterfowl. An Eared Grebe??

Update: the above bird is a Horned Grebe!! The difference between Eared & Horned is this bird has a white bill tip & thicker/flatter head (and is not rare). I used Merlin’s photo ID for the first time, to confirm.

I will try to get better photos of these two, someday:

Bonapart Gull

American Coot

The three amigos below caught my eye right way. I had no clue what they were. They floated on the log the entire time I was taking photos, until I pointed my camera at them. 

Double-breasted Cormorant
(male, female, male)

Apparently they don't like their photo being taken and took to the water. These photos are very cropped. They were waaay out in the water.

The older male went last (see trio pic above, he is far left). His mate was floating the entire time, even further out. He eventually flew over the other pair and landed near her. 

They took off so fast!! Double-breasted Cormorant have big webbed feet. It looked as if they were walking on water. I've never seen them before. They were my favorite find of the day.

A mature pair of Wood Ducks caught my eye at the very end, right before I headed home. 

Sunday Sights

Life has been busy this past week. Consequently, pending posts are piling up. Which translates to, they may or may not ever be completed/shared. I am glad I gave myself A LOT of flexibility with my attempt at regular Monday posts. They wouldn't happen otherwise.

This weeks sights did not happen on Sunday...they are from Tuesday. I packed my camera and took advantage of already being on the road for an oil change appointment.

After finding swans, I decided to change my focus to looking for different ducks. No clue why. I never paid attention to the various duck species. I wished to photograph a Wood Duck. I have never seen one in person. They are so colorful!

I had just arrived at my destination and out of the corner of my eye I saw ~ EEKS ~ Wood Ducks!! I pulled over and tried to contain my excitement. I had to shoot through brush as the pair quickly swam away.  

4-19-22

I have the patience of a gnat, but Wood Ducks are worth waiting for. 15 minutes later, they returned.

male

female

pair

There were other ducks floating around within reach of my camera.

Lesser Scaup

pair

Blue-Winged Teal pair


I will have to try to get a better photo of a Blue-Winged Teal male.

Northern Shoveler

I was happy with what I found and headed back to my truck to leave. Suddenly, a large something came flying out of nowhere. It dramatically dove into the water in the distance. Multiple times. My exact words were "what the hell was THAT?!!" All I knew when I took these photos, was that it was big.

Update: What I saw was an immature Bald Eagle, not a Golden Eagle. Whoops! I thought it was awesome that ebird contacted me to let me know. Apparently Golden Eagles are rare, and this bird was not one. 

Immature Bald Eagle

I thought he was fishing


the amazing show lasted a couple minutes


eagle bathing

The eagles head was completely under water during one of the dives.

the eagle flew away

then circled back for another dunk :)))

it was SO COOL to watch!!

Even with all the excitement of watching the eagle bathe, the highlight for me was seeing these two:

Wood Duck ~ female 

Wood Duck ~ male