Breezy...at Breezy Point

I went with my friend out to Breezy Point last Saturday. It had been ages since I had been out birding or even out much. But boy was it breezy. We walked along the bay side for a bit but there weren't many birds about (they were smarter than us:). Then we walked for a sahorter time on the ocean side. Saw a few sanderlings. The wind was blowing sand which made for some pretty beach sand patterns. I waited for some crashing waves and shot a couple of pictures. Later we walked along the bay beach closest to the gate. I didn't take my camera that time. We saw some common mergansers, american black ducks and buffleheads. It was great to see birds!



Sanderling (Calidris alba)



A Very Happy New Year To All and Thank You

I want to thank all my blog friends for visiting throughout the year. I wish you a very Happy New Year full of new dreams and old dreams realized.

Happy New Year



Happy New year to you too.

Making Tracks

It's the first blizzard of the season. There were three white throated sparrows making tracks and picking up seeds in the snow.

Merry Christmas

A very Merry Christmas to all ... Wishing you and your families many blessing and very merry holiday.

Call me Crazy... The Lunar Eclipse

Yes, it was early..Yes, it was cold...but oh what a sight. The lunar eclipse of 2010 was spectacular. Over Brooklyn the skies were clear. This is the first lunar eclipse to fall on the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, since Dec 21, 1638. The moon was at its highest in the sky and I believe it is also closest to the earth at this point as well. I awoke at 2:30 knowing that the total eclipse would occur at 3:17. I used a tripod but the wind was really blowing so the pictures are not real crisp.  A couple of my neighbors apparently have wind chimes. However, I had never payed them any mind or do I ever remember really hearing them. But in the cold clear night watching the moon turn orange their tingles, chimes and clangs added to the mystique. Here are a few of the shots. Oh, in case you missed it, the next lunar eclipse on the solstice will be in 2094. Think I'll miss that one...




About 2:53



About 3:15



About 3:25



Two Lifers

In and around NY, CT and ajoining areas the buzz has been all about the vagrant Fork-tailed Flycatcher. Like everyone else I was hoping to get a chance at seeing this bird. Since my family lives in CT I made the decision to wait until Thanksgiving when I would be passing right by Cove Island Wildlife Sanctuary. However, prior to Thursday I was nervously checking daily to see if the bird was still there. Unbelievably he was. What a thrill to hang out and watch this beautiful bird. I was even able to take my mom to see it on Friday. She had been reading about it in her local newspaper. Thankfully the spot where the bird hangs out is really close to the parking lot which was great for my mom who tires easily. Thanks also to Mardi Dickinson of Kymry~A Look in Time  who gave excellent directions. I was able to meet Mardi and her husband on Thursday. I'm just hoping that this little guy can figure out his directions and head south before it gets too cold or snowy.

Fork-tailed Flycatcher



I picked this picture because you can see the different lengths of the tail feathers. As this guy matures his tail feathers will lengthen.

 The other lifer for me was a pair of Hooded Mergansers. On the way to my sister's for dinner we passed the old Cobb's Mill Inn that has a pond right behind it. I got a brief glimpse of a bird (since I was driving couldn't look too closely). I remarked to my mom I wonder what that bird is. She said it was one with a funny head. I was intrigued. So the following day I made a point to stop at the place. There was the pair enjoying a swim and dive. Mom says there are usually a whole flock of them, but I only saw the pair. What beautiful birds. While the bird breeds not too far distant from NYC, it does winter here and in CT on wooded lakes, ponds, rivers; and in winter tidal creeks and estuaries.


Just after I snapped this the female gave the male a good jab in the tail feathers. He got out of her way quickly

 
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The female. She is just beautiful! Her coloring is subtler

 

A handsome fellow!



Some Fall Birds

A friend and I went horse back riding last Saturday and then we took a walk around Jamaica Bay. It was a lovely Saturday with a light wind but pretty warm for this time of year. No snow geese yet, though I read they have been spotted. We did see American Coots and American Wigeons both life birds for me. Then we saw Kinglets and sparrows- White throateed, Song and Chipping. The White-Throated Sparrow was the white-striped form. Previously I had only seen the tan striped form.


American Coot and American Wigeon

 

Chipping Sparrow



Dark Eyed Junco



Northern Shoveler

Nice Fall Leaves



Northern Mockingbird



White-Throated Sparrow



Chipping Sparrow