Blue Herons Back at their Nest Site in Grafton!

I was at St. Phillips Cemetery in Grafton today trying to take some decent photos of birds I could not identify when suddenly a large bird cast shadows along the grass. I raised my head to the sky to see who the bird was and it was the Great Blue Heron.

Seconds later the other one showed up and they perched themselves in the tree where the still existing nest they had from last year was.

Here is a photo of the two of them. I discovered this cemetery solely because of these birds. I used to come here and watch them every Sunday last summer. I didn't know much about herons at the time so I had no idea that nesting away from other herons was abnormal. I am not sure if they are here to stay but they sat there for a full 40 minutes right at the nest location so it will be interesting to see.

There are also a new set of birds at the cemetery that remind me of Barn Swallows but it is too early in the year for them?? They behaved in the same manner which was flying around in the sky to catch bugs on their wings but their call was different from that of a Barn Swallow. Does anyone have any idea what they could be?

The pictures are lousy but you have no idea what a challenge it was just to get these ones. They are such manic flyers and fly high up in the sky and are rather small so getting pictures was one of the most difficult things I have had to do since I took up birding and photography!!!

I am Lost!!

That is most of the time when I am out there birding. Perfect example was the fact that I have been putting information on my blog that I spotted my first Bald Eagle at Riverdale Pond in Grafton when in fact Riverdale Pond is not even in Grafton, it is in Northbirdge. The first Eagle I spotted was at Fisherville Pond. The ones at Riverdale Pond are a pair and the picture of the pond is above. It looks low because they drain it for some reason. Why Eagles would find this appealing is beyond me, but they seem to find it suitable as there is a nest somewhere in this location.

After a kind birder pointed this out to me via email, I went off in search of the real Riverdale Pond and got lost. I have an admission to make and that is I have no sense of direction. Yes I can do three years worth of financial projections for a department or run a complex query in a database, but I can't find my way from point A to point B without some serious help. I need a whole day to bird because I spend most of my time in my car trying to figure out how to get to places.

The picture above is the other Eagle at Riverdale Pond. The picture is lousy because I couldn't get close enough to it to save my life. Oh well, at least I saw it. I will go back this weekend when the skies are sunny and hope for better luck. I will get a decent Eagle photo this month no matter what! I am determined!

Last but not least is my favorite subject lately which are the Peregrines. Check out the male above. Do you know what he is doing???? Why he is sleeping of course!!!! He loves this spot and spends a lot of his day there. I have gotten quite a few emails from folks who live around the Worcester area asking me where the best place is to catch a glimpse of the Falcons and if you park at the Chestnut Street garage in downtown Worcester you should get a very good look at the male falcon if he is hanging out on this ledge. It will be to the right of you. I have yet to do this myself and may try it during my lunch hour today as it is going to be sunny and in the 60's!!

Happy Friday everyone.

Skywatch Friday-Endless Clouds

Sky photos taken this past Sunday on a pond in Grafton

A Red Tailed Hawk soars gracefully in the sky.

Is it Normal for Peregrines not to have eggs yet?

Just wondering if anyone out there knew. These two falcons keep me guessing on a daily basis. Today the male was on his favorite perch and the female flew out of the nesting box and up on top of the 446 Main Street building. By the time I made it to the top floor of the building, either she or he were back at the next box.

I thought that Peregrines would always make sure there was a falcon on the nest at all times. I am hoping someone out there with knowledge of Peragrines can answer this for me.

Thanks!

No Day is Dull when you are a Birder!

These gull photos were taken at the Target parking lot this afternoon. I saw one of the banded gulls and decided to give them some bread for some close up pictures.

The water photos you see are actually puddle shots. The gulls spent a lot of time there bathing and drinking from the various puddles.

It was funny because I was out there in parking lot taking photos and next thing I know a man gets out of his car with a fancy camera and scope and joins me! He was clicking real fast which impressed me as I am terrible playing with my shutter speed. My photos always come out lousy when I use it so it intimidates me. I also saw a man today taking shots of a red tailed on Route 20 here in Worcester. I love seeing others taking pictures of wild life because it makes me feel good knowing others out there see the beauty in nature just as I do.

Here are the gulls eating the bread I put out. They can be vicious little birds!! Sheesh, I put out enough for all of them but they still bicker and fight!

A polite one waiting its turn. I actually gave this one a bigger piece because it was too afraid to get caught up with the masses.

Pigeons enjoyed the puddles as well. The one on the right is so funny looking!

Finally some lousy photos of a Red Tailed Hawk and Falcon I saw in Downtown Worcester today. I was up in the higher part of the parking garage looking for the falcons when suddenly I saw a Red Tailed soaring high up the in the sky going toward a church. Just as it was about to land on the steeple and just as I was going to attempt to get closer, guess who spotted it?

Whey the Peregrine of course! Off he flew giving his alarm call and boy was he quick!! I was running after him in the parking lot and I was hoping no people were having meetings in conference rooms because they would see me and think of me as even more odd than they already do.

The falcon didn't even have to get close to the hawk for it to decide to mosey on down to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. One look at Mr. Peregrine made him fly on by and onto a different location.

It just goes to prove that you can bird anywhere if you keep your eyes open. Who'd have thought I could see all of this during work breaks and errands!

Watery Wednesday in Central Massachusetts

A view of Riverdale pond in Grafton, Massachusetts on Sunday. The clouds continued to thicken and snow showers suddenly appeared taking away the promise of spring for the remainder of the day.

The Mute Swan photos were taken taken at the same pond on Saturday when it was sunny and warm.

Common Mergensers taking flight at Dorothy Pond in Millbury. A bunch of kids on dirt bikes were buzzing by and the entire flock on mergs took off in a panic.

I finally found the beavers who have made the dam on the Blackstone River at the Bike path in Millbury. Here is one swimming away totally oblivious that I was on a bridge taking its photo.

Right beside the beaver were two Black Ducks having a lovers lunch together. It was really funny to see how they reacted when the beaver disturbed their meal. They just looked at it swim by and it didn't cause any alarm on their behalf. I guess they all live in harmony along the Blackstone.

For more water pictures go to Watery Wednesday

More Prey Pictures

I continue on the raptor roll as you can tell from all of the pictures I have of them on my blog. I have taken so many pictures and want to put some of my favorites on here. The picture above is of one of the Red Tailed Hawks nesting 2 miles from my house. I went back there yesterday while it was snowing so the pictures came out lousy. I am starting to accept lousy pictures and realize I have no choice unless I want to spend a lot of dough on a scope and tripod.

I love the photo above. The hawk looks as if it is on those Romper Stompers I used to have as a kid. Anyone remember those? ;o)

The second one shows the hawk scanning the earth for mice. If you enlarge the picture you can see some of its gorgeous red tail.

Another photo taken from a far distance. Check out the red on its tail!

Now onto the Peregrines!!! It appears to me as if the misses has laid her eggs. If you click on this picture you will see her in the nesting box!!! I am not 100% certain that she has, but she spends a lot of time in there and I am guessing where you see her is where her nest is.

Here is the proud father to be coming back from somewhere. He appears to be okay after the window strike so I am not too worried about him anymore. I just hope he stays away from the glass tower!