Category Archives: U.S. Birding

North Carolina Recap

We’ve been home for a few weeks and just getting to the rest of the NC photos. It was a great trip — and this is our second visit to a nice cottage in Manteo that we really like.

The birding in the yard is wonderful — here’s a Carolina Wren singing to me early one morning.

There’s a nice mix of woodlands and ocean — here are some shots from our outings.

There were many Great-crested Flycatchers about.

This Pileated Woodpecker on a dirt road seemed healthy and just looking for breakfast.

The Bodie Island Lighthouse attracts hundreds of visitors each day, but we passed on climbing the stairway to the top — though I’m a pilot, I fear heights. I hope your spring birding goes well.

Morning Paddle

This morning, Ginger and I spent an hour or so on the river, launching from our backyard with leash, paddle, and camera. Just upstream, this little Painted Turtle watched us but stayed put on his sunny spot.

There were dozens of Eastern Kingbirds chattering and feeding as we moved upriver. I love to watch their aerial antics — many were youngsters.

It’s interesting sitting in a moving stream handling the boat, the camera, and of course, the dog. I miss a lot of shots but it’s fun. Every so often, Ginger is antsy to move on.

I spotted this Green Heron, which I’ve seen before, up ahead and quietly tried to move towards it.

The current was challenging and the paddle spooked it and it flew off into the underbrush.

There were any groups of young kids around the playfields and wading in the river so while Ginger wanted to join them, we cruised back. It was a nice end of July outing.

Some NC Shorebirds

When you only get to the beach a few times a year, it’s always (for me) a challenge to sort out the shorebirds. Plovers, sandpipers, peeps, all moving all the time. This year we saw many Black-bellied Plovers in various phases of plumage.

Easier for me are the bigger guys, like this Whimbrel and his Willet companion.

No one can mistake these Laughing Gulls when they hear and/or see them.

I’ll leave you with an image of a crab that we found while walking — it’s an Atlantic Ghost Crab. Thanks, iNaturalist

Count Them?

On our recent trip to North Carolina, we spent nearly every day at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Mild weather, expansive beaches, and lots of sea birds – what’s not to like? Here’s the scene we saw the first morning there:

Double-crested Cormorants and Brown Pelicans

The next morning we came upon this gaggle of cormorants on the beach, slowly sliding into the water as we approached.

As a pilot, I have always loved to watch pelicans fly, either in formation, or riding the “ground effect” of the waves.

I’ll leave you with one of the pretty sand dunes, with its streaks of dark sand and topping of beach grass.

Chestnut-sided Warblers

The “pleased to-pleased to-meet you” song of the the Chestnut-sided Warbler is for me, one of the easiest calls to remember. On the other hand, the warblers, always on the move and usually partly hidden by branches and foliage, are some of the toughest to photograph. This group of photos from the last few weeks will prove it.

It’s a treat to see and hear these colorful visitors and they are indeed, pleasing to meet.

Song Sparrows – 1

For the last week, in spite of drizzle and grey skies, Song Sparrows are singing. It’s such a great boost to morale to welcome them back.

They do have a way of perching with branches in the way.

This banded bird is back from southern climes.

I know that warmer days are ahead and with that in mind, looked up this image from last year. Yes, better days are ahead.

https://wp.me/p2Neyr-1I1

Wastewater Birding

Some of the best places to visit for birds around the world are wastewater treatment facilities. The lagoons and wetlands provide a rich environment and in arid areas, a handy source of water. While security issues have restricted access to many such places, they still, as I found out this week, a handy place to visit.

First, on this chilly day, let’s virtually visit a couple of my favorite sites. The Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center at the Port Aransas Wastewater Treatment Facility is one of the hotspots along the Texas coast. Not only are the birds plentiful, they are accustomed to visitors and allow pretty close access.

This Pied-billed Grebe was grooming away in a variety of poses. It was neat to see his feet in action.

In California, The San Elijo Lagoon just north of San Diego is an innovative reclamation site for treated wastewater with great trails and a wide variety of birds.

The facilities in the Northeast tend to have few lagoons or wetlands but some, like the operation in nearby Waterbury, have aerated cells which stay open all winter. There were several young Herring Gulls and a few dozen Ringed-bill Gulls gathered on a cold day earlier this week.