Cooper's Hawk

The weather here has been quite cold lately, although compared to what other parts of the country are experiencing, 6 degrees isn't so bad.

The birds have been scarce as a result of the cold.  This Cooper's Hawk did make an appearance, and was quite compliant for getting close.  It was probably no more than 30-35 feet from my lens.

 

January is Slow ... for Photography

Still, a couple of recent shots are worthy.

The Song Sparrow:

 

Like the Red-Breasted Nuthatch, the Song Sparrow is happy to feed on pine seeds.

 

This Bufflehead male was cleaning his feathers.

 

This Kingfisher has been roosting on this post for weeks now.  As I drive past and observe her there, I circle back and attempt to get a shot.  The Kingfisher, however, is extremely wary, creating a battle of wits.  

This is my best shot so far.  Upon approach I had the camera out the window, focused to the approximate distance.  As the post and the bird came into view, I raised the camera to the eye and started shooting.  The next two frames were of a vacant post.

The Kingfisher is still way ahead in the game.

It isn't over yet.

 
 

Bald Eagle Pair

A bald eagle pair has been seen frequently in and around a large marsh along the Connecticut shoreline.  Over several months of observing, today was the first time I saw them on this relatively close snag. 

Conditions weren't particularly great for photography, but I couldn't resist trying.

 

Red-Breasted Nuthatch

The Red-Breasted Nuthatches have been putting on a good showing this winter at the local state park.  This was a particularly good morning.

 

Some Recent Bird Photos

The trailer is mothballed for the winter, and the party tent has been dismantled.

That makes it a good time to post some bird photos.  First is a Palm Warbler, taken in October at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Connecticut.

Many different warblers migrate through Connecticut in the spring and fall.

The Greater Yellowlegs can be found here much longer; only recently have they moved on.

House Finches may be found here year-round.

In November we were visited by a Black-Headed Gull, shown here in non-breeding plumage.

This year we are fortunate to have both Red Crossbills and White-Winged Crossbills with us in numbers.  They feed extensively on the pine cone seeds.

This is the male Red Crossbill:

 

Below is the male White-Winged Crossbill, identifiable by the white patches on the wings.

 

 

This shot captures males of both types:

 

The females of both types sport a greenish-brown color, as seen here in the White Winged Crossbill:

Finally for today, along with the crossbills we have had numerous Red-Breasted Nuthatches:

 

Compare this coloration with the White-Breasted Nuthatch commonly found hereabouts:

Northern Shovelers

Shovelers are aptly named for their beaks, which have comb-like projections to filter food - often aquatic invertabraetes- from the water.  

The male might be mistaken for a mallard, aside from the extended beak.

Harlequin Ducks

Taken on Cape Ann, Massachusetts, 11/23/12.

These ducks are among the most colorful, and among the most difficult to photograph.  They ride the Atlantic surf from Cape Ann and north, close to shore, and dive to feed on the vegetation below.  They are extremely shy and will quickly move away from any human presence.  

My wife was fortunate this year to locate a spot where they were close in to shore, with good lighting, and apparently unfazed by our presence.

To add to the difficulties, their dark forms against a reflective surface make getting a proper exposure challenging.  Here, we can see the dark eyes against the dark feathers of the face while the water is not over-exposed.  In several years of trying, this is the first time I feel satisfied with a photograph of the harlequin.