The Day of Eastern Birds

Today was a day for eastern birds. I met up with another birder who brought me to a grassy location in Sutton, MA to see my first Eastern Meadlowlark. Lifer!! When we first got there the place appeared barren but we soon heard the birds lovely call. We looked all around and couldn't see anything due to the tall grass. He used his song gadget device to draw the meadowlark a little closer to us to get a view. This song gadget is the coolest thing. You chose what song call you want played, press a button and voila, instant song!!! The call was too tempting for the meadlowlark and it found its way on the perch above to search for the invader.

Obviously, the picture does not do this lovely bird justice and out of 30 photos this was the clearest I could get. I had my ISO settings on the highest I could get them because I knew he was going to be difficult to photograph due to gray skies and his skittish behaviour and all of the pictures came out very grainy because of it.

This pretty bird would fly around us almost in a half circle and then land in the tall grass. I could have sat there and watched it for hours it was so lovely. The black spot in the center of that vivid yellow on its chest is gorgeous! Very nice way to start the day.

We then proceeded to the local cemetery in town in time to see an Eastern Phoebe. LIFER again!! And grainy photos again due to gray skies and ISO settings that were too high.

This bird is definitely not shy and it flew about in various places including tomb stones to search for a snack. Very cute bird with a tail that could hypnotize you when its wagging.

Last but not least are some pictures I took of some white mallards(?) before I headed home. I have seen them on the Blackstone River whenever I pass by but just never got out of my car for a photo. Check out the bill of the one on the immediate left. It looks as if it is damaged or something.

This mallard made me laugh the entire time I was there. He kept doing this thing with his bill that made it look as if it were smiling at me.

Finally here is the happy family of four huddling together to escape the harsh winds we had today. Very odd to see considering I have seen regular Mallards in pairs of two and not four.

It was a good day of birding despite the cool temperatures and the wind. Tomorrow its off to Bolton Flats for more!