Tag Archives: Washington County

December Birds

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Life sort of got in the way of blogging but I’ve been back lugging my camera with me the last few days. But first, here’s an iPhone shot – an American Tree Sparrow – through the kitchen window.

Several days ago, I came across this Cooper’s Hawk – at the limit of my SX70 Canon’s range.

Backyard birds like these Mourning Doves continue to delight us.

These Mallards are taking advantage of the still-open river out back.

This morning, I came across these Hoodies who were heading upstream. The morning light resulted in some interesting images.

Season’s Greetings and hopes for a more sane, more peaceful world in 2024.

Some October Birds

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After a wonderful trip to Spain with a stopover in Lisbon, we are back in Vermont at the start of stick season. The leaves are gone and many of the birds but many of our favorites are around. Here are some:

Many Mallards will stay around all winter.
We see these Common Mergansers every day.
A pair of Hooded Mergansers.
Hermit Thrushes will be heading out soon.
White-throated Sparrows will be a delight to see all winter.

The cooler temperatures remind me of what’s ahead but also makes me think of Snowy Owls and the redpolls, crossbills, and waxwings that may show up. Good birding.

Testing the IPad

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We’re leaving for Spain in a few days and I’m planning to blog with my new iPad, but testing things while I still have computer backup. Here area few images from the last couple of days.

This Spotted Sandpiper was just upstream the other morning.

A month ago, I would have been in waist-deep flood water shooting this group. They are enjoying feeding at normal river level. It makes me wonder, where did the ride the storm out?

We’ve had several Great Egrets in the area since the storm, and seeing this heron and egret, couldn’t help but wonder if they were comparing migration plans.

A Few Monday Birds

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We took a three mile walk around town this morning — here are a few shots from our jaunt.

Goldfinches are everywhere – many in new plumage.
This Downy looks like a youngster.
This Cardinal either had a rough weekend or is molting.
Our resident Great Blue Heron was patiently waiting for brunch.

These are days when Vermont is great — nice air, sun, and a breeze — and some last looks at birds who’ll be heading out in the weeks ahead.

Local Birds — late August

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I have combined dog walks and birding for years and here are a few shots from recent outings. Here’s my companion, resting halfway through a three mile hike.

A few minutes earlier we had encountered several Northern Flickers.

Most of the woodlands birds aren’t singing now so you have to spot them. This Veery was very accommodating.

Walking along the river, I’m seeing the Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and Belted Kingfishers nearly every day. Here are a Wood Duck, a Green Heron, and a Common Merganser.

It’s been a good birding summer and we look forward to fall walks — with fewer birds but also, fewer bugs.

Morning walk along river

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After yesterday’s encounter with the Great Egret, I vowed to carry my camera every jaunt. Here are a few shots from this morning, when mosquitos seem to outnumber birds.

The Great Blue Heron was on patrol again.
This Alder Flycatcher was singing instead of bug-catching.
I probably saw these geese as youngsters earlier in the summer.
These young mergansers have been cruising since the flood.
Belted Kingfishers are hard to photograph – always on the move.

One of today’s objectives was to relearn how to blog and handle photos on my iPad in preparation for traveling without the laptop. The last time was from Spain in 2021. We’re planning to head back in six weeks.

A Summer Surprise

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For various reasons: vacation and a major flood being the primary ones, I haven’t posted for a month. This morning, I was standing in our neighbors’ backyard as the dogs played and suddenly noticed this big white bird at the river. Of course, my camera and binoculars were elsewhere but I retrieved them and photographed this cooperative Great Egret.

Very unusual bird for this part of Vermont – first one I’ve seen.

No sooner had I taken a few shots when in swoops the local Great Blue Heron and both birds flew. Here’s a pre-flood shot I took – it was nice to see him back.

Later, I saw both birds together downstream and chasing one another. Some birder friends and I watched the egret fishing contentedly a little later in the morning.

It was a nice Friday morning surprise and we hope our white friend will stick around for a bit.

Views From The Bridge

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Just up the street from our house, there’s a little bridge that I cross nearly every day on walks with Ginger. Over the years, I’ve seen all sorts of wildlife on the river from it – here are a few from the last few days.

This morning, I spotted these mergansers just as they saw me, and after a warning command, they turned and cruised easily back upstream.

There is ongoing feud with city crews over ornamental shrubs planted along the bridge approaches. Beavers are winning.

Several days ago, I encountered this Snapping Turtle laying eggs beside the bridge.

The next morning I saw this family cruising downstream to the bridge, watching me warily.

Returning about ten minutes later, I saw momma turtle just down from where the geese had entered.

It’s all part of nature but I am hoping the goslings made it ok.

Platonic Turkey Love

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Yesterday I came upon a dozen or more Wild Turkeys and just like last year’s post in mid-April — the guys were displaying — the hens were in a “get lost, Buster” mood.

Early Spring Birds

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The snow is melting, back roads are muddy, and every week new birds show up. Downy Woodpeckers, here in our backyard all year, are some of our favorites – and we get to see their fledglings in a few months.

American Crows are very active, hassling hawks like this Red-tailed, and often gathering in groups, known as “murders.”

Likewise, Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles, recent arrivals, forage together.

Turkey Vultures arrived about two weeks ago. Note the wing dihedral and wingtip feathers.

Another year-round bird which is fun to watch and hear is the Tufted Titmouse. This one was in a tree out back.

And sometimes, nothing is out and about — but this guy popped up in the only hole in the pond. It looks like he saw his shadow.