A little local birding this morning WITH my Camera!

Yup, that's right everyone, WITH my camera. Seriously, my neighbor has been offering to tinker with it again to try and figure out the issue, but since it didn't work the last time, I just didn't have the heart to get my hopes up again only to be dissapointed as I have a deep fondness for it, depsite the problems I've had with it in the past. When I first started birding, I wasn't using binnoculars and relied solely on this little camera of mine as my way to see the birds and we have seen lots of birds together which I've always loved posting on my blog in return. But since I now have a laptop I can use all the time, I figured I'd try one more time and based on today, it appears as if the issue is fixed. All it needed it seems is some tweaking and a part in the battery section of the camera as well as a set of new digital batteries and a new charger and it's working almost as well as it did in the past and I hope it stays that way.

Anyhow, I decided to head out early to do some local birding but had to stop at the dump first. I would make my way there and the first thing I'd see was this beautiful Red-tailed Hawk in the picture above. Now I'm always excited to see a Red-tailed, but even more so with my camera and as luck would have it, the ligthing would be perfect and the bird nearby so out came the camera in the midst of cars coming and going doing what most people do at the dump which is take out trash, but who says you can't bird as well if something interesting shows up.

Sigh, have you ever seen a face as sweet as that? Such deep thought in those eyes I'd say. Funny because at this point everyone at the dump was now looking at the Red-tailed Hawk because they were all wondering what I found so interesting. I could hear a guy behind me explain to another guy that it was a Red-tailed Hawk so I turned around and smiled and nodded as a gesture of respect because I usually hear non-birders refer to these hawks as eagles so I was rather impressed. He continued to impress me even more when he told me I may be interested in the Turkey Vultures around the bike path....Hmmmm....Perhpas a birder in disguise?

Okay, last one I promise, but had to share as I took it at another angle which is the compost section of the dump so I just couldn't resist.

Okay, so I lied. Here it is gazing into my eyes, swoon......I am sure the hawk was wondering who the hell I was as it;s usually able to perch and hunt from this location, never being noticed until I came along and screwed things up.

After stalking the hawk, I decided to head to Martha Deering which is only a quarter of a mile or so from the transfer station. I would get a few birds going in, including a Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker and Northern Flicker all within the same general location as well as numerous Blue Jays squacking up a storm. I would come to an area where I could hear a lot of bird activity so decided to do some pishing to see what I could find. The activity would be so heavy that I'd be in a state of confusion as my brain not only tried to focus on the calls, but all of the flying around as well because birds were coming and going from every location. I could hear the faint call of a Northern Parula near a Black-capped Chickadee so decided to focus my time around that area because that's where the other warblers would be. There would once again be birds everywhere including a quick glimpse of a Black-throated Blue as well as a good look at another but as you can see by the picture above, it was gone by the time my camera got into focus on the darn bird. Grrrr....So frustrating but goes with the territory of birding for warblers I suppose.

I should note that at one point, I could hear the calls of the Northern Parula, some Black-capped Chickadees, an Eastern Towhee, pissed off Blue Jays, a White-breasted Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker, Gray Catbird, American Robin, a red squirrel as well as a few chipmunks all at the same time, which was causing some major confusion, but what had me stumped the most was this almost mechanical sound that was coming from above- but wouldn't realize what it was until I got out of the bushy area I was in and that would be this hot air balloon above. I think the guy was just attempting to mess with my head seriously!

While heading back to the car, I could see a buteo in a tree and the first thing that comes to mind is a Broad-winged Hawk until I get my bins on it and realize it's a Red-tailed. Hmmmmmm......Perhaps that one I saw earlier I think as it's relatively close. The hawk does'nt look too pleased to see me I think as I'm turning on my camera again and smiling at it.......Perhpaps the hawk is stalking me now I think.

Here it is showing me its ass or maybe mooning me.........

Bon voyage my handsome friend, until we meet again!

After that it would be a quick stop to the Cross Street Powerlines to see what I could find. There would be a few Eastern Bluebirds mixed in with some Mourning Doves which was funny to see because of their size comparison.

These two do not look too pleased with one another. Perhaps a lovers quarrel?

I'd make my way to my favorite part and would hear the call of what sounded like a bird in disress. It would take me a bit to think Osprey, but I'd doubt myself as I've never had one here before. Soon enough I'd see if fly from the post it was on before I could get my camera ready. It seemed as if I'd ticked off another raptor today and it's not even 10:00 I'd think.

But there would be one raptor that didn't mind my presence and that would be the sharpie above. Now this is the type of picture I could stare at forever, because it has all of the classic characteristics of a sharpie in flight. Note the squared, long tail obviously, but also the rounded wings at the tip and the s shaped curve along the leading edge of the wing and the small head compared to a Cooper's Hawk too.

Another one I thought was interesting. From what I can tell, this hawk appears to be a juvenile? It also behaved like one too while trying to score some breakfast as it wasn't very successful. A lot of flapping, a little gliding and every passerine in sight hidden from view which frustrated the sharpie. After a while though, it did land high up in a pine tree so not sure if it was successful or not, but I appreciated the air show just the same.

I'd do a little more birding and see a Field Sparrow in the same location I have seen it for the past two years which I found funny. No Common Ravens though, which is a first for me but there's always next time.

Take care all

An Update of Sorts & Lots of Incoherent Ramblings

Hi there everyone, yes it's me Kim. I figured I'd give you all an update of what's going on considering I haven't posted here in almost a year and I received some emails from folks wondering what's going on and while I responded to some, I didn't to others because I use my Droid for most of my emails (will get to that later), and for some reason, the Droid will drop some of my emails and for the life of me I can't figure out how to get them back as they get swallowed up in cyber space much to my frustration. Plus have you ever tried typing out a long response to an email on your cell phone? Let me tell you it isn't easy!

Anyhow, all has been going alright I suppose. I kind of stopped blogging late last year because first my camera broke followed shortly thereafter by my computer. Money was tight, and still is, so buying a new computer and camera was out of the question for me as I was having a hard enough time just making my monthly bills so I didn't want to add to it by putting expensive things on my already over burdened credit card only to get a jacked up interest charge which would make making my monthly payment even more difficult. The economy's been a real pisser with not getting a raise in three years despite the cost of everything increasing, but I'm ever so grateful to at least I have a job which is something to be thankful for with how uncertain everything is right now. So computer time has been a challenge and not something that's been easy for me considering I would have to do most of it at work when I can't goof off and even if I wanted to they have a block on my email and Facebook. My son's girlfriend is living with me and she was letting me use hers at times but she or someone else always seems to be on it so I had just given up! Needless to say, she was just given a new computer for her to start nursing school so this one is officially mine until early next year when I'll be using my tax returns for a new computer and I'm hoping for a camera for Christmas.

So I figured I'd make the most of having no computer or camera and tackle everything I've been putting off but that's easier said than done. I used this time to get my "house in order" if you will and spend more time at home with my kids and do things around the house that have gone neglected for far too long. It's given me some time to do some deep soul searching and try and figure out just why I have such a hard time being an adult at times. In that time I've realized that I have a real tough time forming relationships and often push away the people I love the most as conflict and commitment make me uncomfortable so I find ways to escape it rather than confront it which is what we adults are supposed to do.

In the past three years or so I used all kinds of things to escape with birds still being my favorite followed by trails and summits which come in a very close second. Why I chose these, I still don't know, but I do believe both represent freedom to me. Birds to me are the symbol of freedom. Especially in flight when they are soaring in the air and free in the wind. Trails are free of human contact and untainted by development which is a perfect place to hide out when the daily grind gets to be too much on the nerves. I've spent so much time chasing birds or running trails all in an effort to escape responsibility and I've hurt people in the process and for that I'll always be sorry. With that said, I still wouldn't change a thing as I've loved every bird as well as every spill down every trail and those I've met in the process and have many fond memories that will be with me forever. But I did take this as a sign and maybe it was time to indeed "get my house in order" considering my youngest is going on 19 and my oldest 24 so decided to spend more time with them before they are off and running and living their own lives.

I found ways to keep busy of course and the first thing I did was try my hand at organic gardening again. Now I've always kept an herb garden for cooking, but vegetables are another animal within themselves as they are prone to insect infestation, bacterial wilt and a host of other issues. That didn't stop me from trying though so out I went into my yard with pitchfork in hand and just started digging up the earth to plant a few lousy tomato plants. Once I got started though I just couldn't stop. You see, I hate grass....It grows far too tall and getting my kids to mow the lawn is always a battle so I just started ripping a large portion of it out. It was quite fun actually as I was doing it during the height of warbler migration and I would have my bins nearby and whenever I heard a warbler I'd drop the pitchfork, grab the bins and start pishing around my yard much to my neighbors curiosity.

It's funny because I spent the last two years prior to this birding like a mad woman during migration so had no idea of exactly what passes through my yard this time of the year. The first bird I'd hear was a Northern Parula and I'd recognize it's call immediately. No sooner than that I would hear another nearby and while it was familiar, it would take me a good five minutes or so of trying to rack my brain figuring out what it was that I'd remember it as the Black-throated Blue Warbler who was messing around with me as the little bugger would drop the last two notes so it wouldn't register. Finally after pishing in the bushes near my neighbors window while they were eating lunch I would spot both of them in the yard next to mine high up on a tree with leaves in full bloom (warblers will be warblers whether at Quabbin or the back yard)!

Next would be the Prairie Warbler and Black-throated Green who were in my neighbors yard as I was swapping herb transplants with them. We were making idle chit chat when suddenly I could hear the Prairie. Now I'd already gotten the prairie for the year via a drive by, but the thought of it hanging out in my neighbors yard in a white pine tree was too much for me as this would be the first time I would get it out of its habitat!! Did you hear that, I asked my neighbors all excitedly?? Hear what? My confused neighbors replied. I start pishing like mad realizing I didn't bring my bins so I'm cursing myself for being so stupid. My neighbors see I'm distraught over this so off one runs to grab their pair and let's just say, the binoculars totally suck, but I am determined as neither of them have ever seen ANY kind of warbler before and after all, these were the woman who got me into birding in the first place so it was my neighborly duty to return the favor no matter how challenging considering the pine tree is probably 30 feet high and my ears tell me that not only is the prairie on the highest branch, but the damn Black-throated Green is right along beside them. Finally after much pishing I finally spot the Prairie so I pass the bins to one of my neighbors telling them where to look. Now for those of you who have birded with me in the past, you know I'm terrible with giving directions. I'll always say "next to the bare branch" or "near the green, bushy leaves", like that helps. HA. Now try doing that with a couple of back yard bird watchers and just picture the confusion. Finally they both get a look at them, but only for a split second much to my disappointment. That doesn't stop me though as off I run back to the house to get my Stokes warbler book so they can actually get a good look at the birds they had in their yard. I had done my duty and boy did it feel good!

Are you ready for another?? This one is one of my favorites so I have to share. :-p I remember in 2010, I would be waiting for Alan to get me to bird and I'd hear a bird nearby that sounded just like a Blackpoll. I would attempt to pish it out but it never worked. This bird would torment me for close to a week and every morning it would be the same routine with the same outcome so I finally just gave up figuring it was wishful thinking. Fast forward to May of 2011 and the damn bird was back again. I'd be deep in thought while clearing sod from my garden and he would start with his call. I'd drop everything to try and find him only to have him stop calling so I'd go back to gardening only to have him do it again. Now this went on for three straight days and finally on the third day I was determined to finally confirm it as the blackpoll. Let me tell you I was pishing so hard my jaw hurt and spit would come out of my mouth but crap, I wanted that bird so it was no time to by lady like!! It would still be a "no go" so I resorted to a desperate measure which would be my trusty droid. I put it on YouTube and played the Blackpoll Warbler song but it would be no use I thought as the volume was far too low. Suddenly the warbler darted out of hiding and stood close by on my yew tree. It was so close I didn't need my bins but I used them anyway and he just stared at me as I stared back in return. Sigh. This would be the first decent look I ever got of a male in breeding plumage and my heart just pitter pattered because they remind me so much of the Black-capped Chickadee which remains one of my favorite birds of all time, despite how common they are. So needless to say, I will be looking out for him again next May as he finds something in my yard he likes enough to stick around for a few days before he goes to wherever he goes.

Okay, last one I promise (hey, cut me some slack, it's been a while and no one but you dear reader would find any of this exciting as most of the people I know think I'm crazy when I talk about birds so I need to get it out of my system ;-)). Okay this one's good so bare with me. I would be in my yard yet again, digging up sod when suddenly a large flock of Chimney Swifts would be darting around my yard. Plomp goes the pitch fork as I run for my bins in an attempt to figure out what they were doing. To my horror I realize they are near my chimney and perhaps even going into the chimney. Crap I yell as it was still kind of cold despite it being mid May and I had just had my heat on a few days before this and if they were living in there then some of them are probably dead I think as I run into the house to shut off my emergency shut off valve to my boiler as this was an emergency as far as I was concerned. I run back outside and the swifts are now near by the gazebo and getting closer than I'd ever seen them before. Suddenly I could see swarms of a flying ant type insect landing in my driveway. There would be three American Robins and 2 Gray Catbirds on the ground and pouncing on them as soon as they landed. I sat there and watched them through my bins totally motionless as I was captivated by it because you could tell they were thoroughly enjoying this feast. After about 5 minutes or so I'd come to and realize I had a bunch of those ants that had landed on me and especially my hair. My first impulse was to scream and try and get them out of my hair, but I couldn't do it as I didn't want to scare my lunch guests so I just shook my head some and brushed my clothes and tried to relocate the Chimney Swifts as they were still nearby. My bins would go up to the sky and just as I did that a buteo would be spotted and I would finally get my first ever decent look of a Red-shouldered Hawk in flight. I would see all of its most notable field marks, especially the crescents near its wing tips as well as its overall lankiness compared to the Red-tailed Hawk. No sooner would I see it, that it would be gone as I had gotten it in the midst of a glide and it was fairly high up on a cloudless blue sky, but that quick look I got was memorable just the same. I would end the day with one of my favorite summertime drinks after working in the garden which is a Blue Moon Beer with a slice of orange and watch the swifts who had finally made their way back to their summer home across the street from me. I'd do this as a tribute to Chris E who had posted something on my Facebook in May of 2010 about how enjoyable it was to spend the evening watching the Chimney Swifts while drinking a good beer and I'd realize he was right and I would be sad that he is no longer here to do the same.

So needless to say, you can see I still had the birding bug and it is probably the biggest reason why my garden turned out as large as it did because everytime I grabbed the pitch fork something exciting would happen. I had a ton of vegetables including two different types of peas, two different types of cucumbers for picking, jalapeno peppers for jelly and salsa as well as both sweet and bell peppers for more pickling, zucchini which didn't survive and three different types of tomatoes for salsa, sauce and yes more canning. I have a pantry in my dining room that is filled with jars with more to come to last me the winter and it's very fulfilling to know that I grew it all and it saves a ton of $$ too so it was a win/win situation for me as far as I'm concerned. The birding stopped all together for the most part in mid June as all migrants were past but the nesting birds in and around my yard kept me good company with a family of Northern Mockingbirds nesting next door being my favorite. One of the juves was obsessed with my Mullbery Tree and would spend a good part of his day on he ground trying to grab a mullberry with his bill only to have it fly out which would tick him off and he would wail in protest. He also spent a good amount of time at my bird feeding station trying to land on the empty bird feeders (I only feed in winter) and he would wail again in protest which was very fun to watch. A pair of Cedar Waxwings were nesting two houses from me and I only know this because they spent a good amount of time in my yard trying to grab biodegradable twine from my garden to add to their nest site. I wound up cutting a bunch up in 5 inch strips and draping it on a post to make it easier for them to get to and then I would watch them fly to their nest site with twine in tow to add to their nesting site which was a welcome distraction because it was so late in the season I was yearning for something different to see than the Northern Cardinals who are always around getting sunflower seeds off of my sunflower plants which they do in a clumsy fashion compared to the always nimble American Goldfinches who also find this enjoyable. I still have to remind myself to keep my eyes on the road while driving as my eyes still wonder to the sky on 146 in hopes of a decent Turkey Vulture show (with perhaps a BV thrown in for good measure and I'm looking forward to my winter ritual of watching the American Crows flying above that high way in large flocks going to their roosting site in Worcester as that's been my ritual for over three years now and a great way to end an awful work day. I would do some hiking nearby but nothing like before as gas has gotten so high I decided to stay as local as I could. My trail running shoes would be used only for hiking as the running had totally messed up my feet and legs and toward the end even the Vibrams didn't help so I decided to give it a break and go back to a gentler way of seeing the great outdoors instead of running past it. I still get the bug though and have done a couple of runs with the Vibrams, but the old injury in my hamstring and foot would appear no sooner than a quarter mile out so maybe I'm just not meant to run as I've always been told I had more of the build of a cyclist so perhaps they are right?

Anyhow, I didn't mean to go on and on rambling like I did and if you've made it to the bottom of this post than God bless you as it was rather long! I will make it a point to drop in occasionally but I seriously can't see me doing any kind of serious blogging until I get a camera as my blog was as much about my pictures as it was my adventures and both of those have kind of gone off the wayside recently. I still have it in me, but I have to find a balance of sorts which has always been hard for me to do, but I continue to try just the same.

For all of you local birders, I think of you often. I still get the Massbird posts on my Droid and read them when I take the train into Boston as I've been going there more frequently due to a huge project I'm working on. I had read all about the great birds many of you had gotten during Irene and while I was envious, I was happy as I know Worcester County remains once of the best places of all time to bird, not only because of the avian diversity we have (especially after a tropical storm!), but because we have some of the most decent, helpful and excellent birders as well. Each of you have taught me so much in regards to birds and enjoying nature and it's something I will always be grateful for.

Take care all.

Test

.......

Broad Meadow Brook Sunday

I decided to trail run Broad Meadow Brook this morning and would arrive just as day light started to break. The air would be downright chilly as I got out of the car and would be greeted by bird chatter that seemed to be everywhere. I'd try and focus on one call I was hoping for and that would be the Pine Siskin as I listened to it this morning over and over while getting ready considering I'm rather rusty on it so knew I needed some practice. Alas, I wouldn't get one but did see the regulars including a Northern Mockingbird chasing a male Northern Cardinal, and quite a few White-breasted Nuthatches like the one above.Since the air was so cold, the camera went into my bag and off I went on my trail run to warm up. It would be a little under a mile that I'd start getting hot and off would come a layer and I would hear many American Goldfinches so I'd stop the Garmin and do some pishing hoping a Pine Siskin would be part of the flock but it would once again be a no go.
The Mallards would be around including the handsome drake above back in his usual handsome plumage and there would be a Cooper's Hawk nearby perched in a tree but it would flee before I had the opportunity to get my camera on it.

Talk about a hike! I had to go back that way too!

I'd finally make my way to the powerline trail in a sort of running trance as there was no one around so was in my own little world. The wind would start to pick up as there were no longer trees to shelter me from it and my eyes would water and nose numb as I looked straight ahead and picked up the pace so I could get back into the woods and away from the wind assault. I could hear some bird chatter to the right of me as I mentally told myself what it was and it would be the usual White-throated Sparrows and a little further up would be the Dark-eyed Juncos, but then I'd hear something that would cause me to do an abrupt stop (while running downhill mind you!) as this note call warranted some further investigation!

The Garmin would stop and the camera start as I'd do some pishing to try and get the bird out of hiding. The pishing would be all wrong due to me still being a tad out of breath so I sounded more like I as having an asthma attack vs. being a threatening creature, but the wheezing seemed to do the trick as the little bird in question would fly out of the brush along with the Juncos and make its way to a nearby tree. I was at a serious disadvantage here because my bins were in my car but could pick up on the bird being a good one due to the rust it had which could be seen even in flight. Hmmmmmmm....A Wood Thrush I would think as my eyes scanned for it on the nearby tree. It can't be as surely they have all moved on by now.


I'd get my camera on it, take a picture and look at it with my naked eye and my heart would skip a beat as the first thing I thought of was Fox Sparrow. Performance anxiety would start to rear it's ugly head as the first picture was lousy and I needed a good picture for positive ID as I continued to click and hope the bird decided to stick around some.

And the bird would indeed be kind enough to do me the honors. Sigh, such a great bird and one I've been trying to get for the past two years now but have never been at the right place at the right time until today. Funny in that I had thought about not even doing the powerline trail today but then told myself I had to as I wanted to get over 6 miles and this would help so I guess it paid off in the end. And this is a life bird for me too to boot so it was a great way to start the week. November has been pretty darn good to me considering I'm not twitching for birds and it's only November 7th and I have already gotten 2 lifers! Hoping the streak continues.

Take care all.

Fish Crows-Price Chopper-Worcester

I did my weekly grocery shopping at Price Chopper today and always park near the back as that's where the gulls are so it gives me something to look forward to as grocery shopping is just down right painful so the birds make it less severe. Anyhow, I would get out of my car and see a crow that was acting funny by which I mean goofy and unlike an American Crow who carry themselves in a more dignified manner. It would be on top of the Wendy's sign trying to shake off its wet plumage from the morning rain and I was struck by how small it was. Hmmmmm, I thought as I entered the grocery store, what a weird looking crow. I would head back to the car with groceries in tow and sure enough there would be a couple of other crows in the area and I glanced at them and started loading up the car. I'd be lost in thought and putting away the groceries when suddenly I could hear one of the crows make a noise that made me stop dead in my tracks and try and find the bird through the call. It wouldn't take me long to find it and then it all started to make sense to me on why the crow I saw a half hour before caught my attention.

I'd immediately whip out my driod and send an email to Alan telling him I had some small crows making funny noises and hoped he was home so he could get over there to confirm as I have no experience with Fish Crows so wouldn't be comfortable enough to make that call on my own.

By the time I got home, put the groceries away and washed the floors, Alan would email be back and tell me he heard them as well, saw the size difference and was able to confirm they were in fact Fish Crows.
I would decide to head back there with my camera for some photos as well as video (and audio) and hope they were still around. Before leaving the house I would pack up a bag with bread and crackers just in case it would be needed of course as I know it's never good to feed the gulls, but desperate times call for desperate measures and this would be one of them!

Anyhow, I got there and threw out some white bread and flocks of Ring-billed Gulls swarmed me hoping for a piece for themselves. My cheeks would start to turn crimson as shoppers couldn't help but notice the spectacle or the noise, but I have gotten used to this by now and besides, I wanted to get a better look at those Fish Crows!

Soon enough, one would come over to investigate and two more would follow.
The first time our eyes meet. Sigh, such a cute little bird and not at all like the American Crows in that they are not at all shy. This one was only a few feet away from me at times.
No those are not bread crumbs you see near its bill, it's dandruff. Tee Hee

Anyhow, to not disappoint, I did get some video as you will see below.

The first one is good in that it shows you the size difference between the Fish Crows and the Ring-billed Gulls. Please disregard the baby talk you hear as I just can't help myself when it comes to birds. In fact, I believe this is why some come as close as they do, seriously!

The second one is where you can vaguely hear one at the end. OMG, I was so losing patience at this point as I had been there well over 1/2 an hour and was running out of goodies and it would be lunch hour which would mean Wendy's next door would be packed so I was the center of attention for everyone going through the drive through for lunch and I was getting rather tired of the stares and dirty looks! HA.



Anyhow, I thought I'd share as it's not that often we get Fish Crows here in Worcester County! If you are interested in seeing them for yourself they are at the Price Chopper in Worcester right off of Route 20. If you google "Price Chopper, Worcester, Fair", you should get exact directions to make it a little easier to find. They seem to like it most over at Wendy's and the Trailer Park so just keep you eyes AND most importantly you ears open!

Take care all.

York Maine, October

I decided to head to York, Maine this weekend to visit with my mom as this would be the 1st time I would head to York this late in the year and was curious on what would be there. The gulls would be at their usual spots and as tame as ever so I took some pictures of them during my run on Friday. This Ring-billed Gull was in the midst of preening itself as the strong wind blew its feathers back. There were actually a couple of gulls that looked as if they went through a clothes dryer as their feathers were all over the place from the strong winds and they were funny to look at.
There would also be quite a few Herring Gulls as always and a couple of Great Black-backed Gulls too. Should note that on Saturday, I saw a gull when I was on the deck to the house that looked like a Lesser Black-backed Gull. I would put my bins on it and it had the dark gray back it is known for (to me it's back colors are in between a Herring and a Great Black-backed) which always makes me do a double take as its very noticeable. It would be deep in the water and all by itself so I never was able to see it's legs so not sure but the bird stood out to me none the less.
Also saw the guy in the picture above surfing with his kite. He would use the kite to carry him around the waters and he would go really fast at times as if was very windy. I had never seen that before and thought it was really cool!
The beach roses seem to be dying off everyday, but still pretty none the less.
Other signs of fall.
Some of the beach roses still remain though as you can see.
I think this is hands down my favorite bee picture I have ever taken. Check out the honey bee giving me the "hairy eyeball" as I take its picture. So cute!! Seriously, I have never thought of a bee as cute until I saw this. HA!
The cormorants would be migrating the entire time I as there in flocks as small as a dozen and as large as a flock of 40 or so.
My mother and I spent a lot of time walking and I decided to finally go into the quaint little church they have for some pictures of the stained glass windows which are so pretty when the sun hits them just right.
Folks who live there year round and already in Halloween mode with decorations, so had to get a picture of the vulture above. What do you think TV?? ;-)
Cloe is still around as you can see as she is a year round dog.
The owners store will close soon so we decided to go in one last time for the season to see what he had. Loved the Wood Duck above.
As well as the cute little owls of course!
This morning would be my last day in York so I went for a nice bike ride along the nubble and the beach. Common Eiders could be seen as well as all of the gulls and the flocks of cormorants all headed south. I stopped to get the picture above just a little after sunrise.
Another area I stopped at because it was so pretty.
The Yellow-rumped Warblers were everywhere and I had forgotten how easy they are to pish until I called one in after only 3 seconds of half assed pishing because I was on a busy street with people walking past so didn't want to do a loud pish as they would have all thought I was a freak or something. ;-)
All in all a great way to spend Columbus Day weekend and can't wait to get back up there again next April.

Take care all.

Weekend Birds and Other Nature Finds

I did some trail running this weekend and finally figured out a way to carry my camera as well as only a few other essential items in my pack which will still allow me to run fast, but have instant access to my necessities and I realize that my camera is in fact a necessity so sacrifice a water for the camera instead and so far so good.
Anyhow, yesterday was just gorgeous weather wise and I would do almost 12 miles of running in total which allowed for plenty of areas to explore and some of them new to me which is always nice when you have your camera near by.
Leaves are now all over the trail and I stopped for some water and decided to get a macro photo of some of the leaves.
I would stop at an area as I had a gut feeling birds would like the spot due to the sunshine and sure enough there would be about 12 American Robins mixed in with a couple of Dark-eyed Junco and this lone Palm Warbler. I tried pishing it more so it would stick around for a better photo but it wanted to part of that.
Cool fungi shot taken from a log that was in the middle of the path that I almost tripped over.
Another cool shroom picture.
I would finally come to an open field hoping the Common Ravens I kept hearing while running in the woods would be around but I wouldn't see them. I did see the last of the clover still attempting to hang one for one last day or two.
There would be Eastern Phoebes everywhere on Saturday. I stopped for each and everyone of them because soon enough, I will miss them terribly.
I finally made my way to another part of the trail that I had never been to before and it would connect to a nearby powerline and it would be here that I could hear those Common Ravens again. I looked up to the sky and there would be four of them. Hoping they are the young from the nest of the other nearby powerlines because if they are then they all survived.
Another shroom picture as I just can't help myself.
Sunday would be another powerline trail run and this time only 3 miles as I was feeling it from yesterdays longer run. The weather would be a depressing 45 degrees and it would be pretty quiet.
The fall colors here though were gorgeous.


There would be pockets of birds here and there and it was nice to see this White-throated Sparrow. Also note worthy is that the first year Song Sparrows were out in this area all trying to sing their song and messing it up mid verse which always makes me laugh. Such funny little birds!
Bumble bee shot.
This bee would be part of a group of about 6 or so who were all clustered amongst the Goldenrod. Not sure what they were doing but they almost seemed to be still in an effort to conserve body heat with the temps as low as they were. I felt bad for them as I know its only going to get worse, but it did make for some nice photos though.
While I wouldn't feel overly motivated to run, this Cooper's Hawk helped to put a little spring in my step for a while. Almost looks as if it has a full crop here but not sure.
A couple of Blue Jays were giving chase to the Coops as I gave chase to them both which is always fun to do.
Flowers going to seed after a nice, long summer.
Take care all.