Beach Art

Two Awesome Osprey Nests

I first saw these magnificent birds while living in Panama. It was around Thanksgiving I saw one  sitting on a dead branch that stuck out the top of a tree across from our house. It took me a month before I finally found a bird book that helped me identify it. I've been watching a couple of pairs and nests at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Two weeks ago the chicks were still small but now they are exercising their wings and are a good size. Hope you enjoy!   The first nest in the marsh.

The second nest along Cross Bay Boulevard

Aren't They the Cutest!

I went to Breezy Point a few weeks ago and posted some pictures of common terns and piping plovers nesting. I wanted to get back and get some pictures of the chicks and went Wednesday. One of the things that amazed me is, the chicks are spotted like their eggs! Here are a few of the cutest baby chicks!                              Common tern chicks

Piping plover chicks. These little guys were hard to photograph; they move so fast around the beach

Wildflowers for Wednesday

Birds

Haven't gotten out the last two weekends. So here are a few other shots.

semipalmated sandpipers

Oystercatchers

Tree swallows

Shore Birds: Eggs, Nests and Chicks

Had a wonderful walk at Breezy Point on Saturday with my friend Andrea.  Just to be walking on the beach on a sunny but cool day was so relaxing, and the birds were spectacular!
Nesting Tern

The greeting committee as you enter the beach! They actually are not shy about sh-- on you....

These two Black Skimmers could be  Football Refs: Score!!! 

Sanderling changing to breeding plumage

Oystercatcher parents and chicks

3 Oystercatcher chicks

The eggs were sometimes just laying on the beach, well out of the nesting restricted area, so you had to watch where you were walking.

Piping Plover

Black Skimmers

A Little More Central Park

Although we saw a lot of birds, little warblers up in the canopy are difficult to photograph. The  light wasn't the best during some of the day either. So, as we wandered so did my camera when I wasn't looking through the bins.  

I was told a story about this rather large bullfrog. That once a warbler got a little too close to him; he swallowed it whole.

 

The streaking in the background of the duck picture is rain. Taken from The Castle, at least we had shelter for the real rain of the day. While we waited it out, we saw male and female Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, a Spotted Sandpiper, a Baltimore Oriole and of course a few warblers. 

Here is another view of the Black and White Warbler. It was a fun day with a great group of people.