Blog Archives

FORT MACON, NC - THE GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER--AND A FEW OTHERS.

5/28/2016

At Fort Macon last week, it was interesting to see so many Great Crested Flycatchers. I know I saw at least 10 different ones in about an hour and a half. Perhaps they were migrating, but I have never seen them as dense as this. The Guli’sGulis, as referred to by the Cherokee Indians, was strongly appealed to by the Indians to “join”(lend their spirit) them in a ball game they played, because of the great ability of the bird to dodge, a great advantage in the game. There were so many Guli’s Gulis at the Fort, I think they were looking for a game.

I saw only a few other birds, but was fortunate to see a Painted Bunting around the feeders. The staff are not yet feeding them and it appears unclear whether they will since the Ranger who was primarily interested in the birds there has gone to another job. See pics below---

0 Comments

THE COLORFUL SPRING FIELD

5/22/2016

0 Comments

The Field, my personal meditation spot near Greenville is where I frequently go to experience nature in a true sense of separation from the business and clutter of modern life. This protected place offers a tranquility one can not easily find. I am always amazed and impressed with the wildlife and especially the birds one can see here, and spring always offers some of my favorites. The nesting birds here represent some of our prettiest species all decked out in their breeding finery. Last week i spent two very pleasant days here capturing pictures of some of these beautiful creatures. The ones featured here are nesting in or near the open fields or along the brushy edges. Enjoy the pics below---

SEE GALLERY BELOW. CLICK ON ANY PC TO ENLARGE. USE SIDE ARROWS TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH.

0 Comments

PRODUCTIVE SPRING BIRDING AT RIVER PARK NORTH-GREENVILLE, NC.

5/16/2016

0 Comments

I have been out of the local area for a few days so I haven’t been able to visit River Park North, which is my “home” site for birding.. I was there this morning (May 15, 2016) and the spring birding continues to be very good. I was also there last Monday and will combine the two trips in this article, and also reflect on the overall Spring birding here. The Warbler migration has been good according to reports by others, but my luck with these migrators has only been fair. I have seen the Prairie, the Yellow- rump, Prothonotary, Common Yellowthroat, and Black and White, Howard Vainright reports seeing a Blackpoll Warbler, as well as An Ovenbird, a Yellow-breasted Chat and a Yellow Warbler.

During my last two visits, I have enjoyed seeing the bright breeding colors of the birds I have photographed and have enjoyed the signs of nesting. The 20 or so photos below represent about half of the birds I have seen and are just the ones who agreed to pose for a second or two. It is always a real thrill for me when I am able to capture a good, representative picture of any bird, but I must admit the bright colored ones are my favorites. It is especially pleasing to get good shots of the small birds because they are a real challenge as they dive in and out of the canopy. Both of my last two visits at the Park have been very productive with a good variety of species. The highlight has to be seeing and getting for the first time good pics of both the male and female Tanager here in the Park. I also love the Common Yellowthroat , the Indigo Bunting, and the Yellow-billed Cuckoo. All in all, this Spring season has been a fun time for birding in the park. If you can get there, now is an excellent time to see all the birds pictured below.

SEE GALLERY BELOW. CLICK ON ANY PIC TO ENLARGE. USE SIDE ARROWS TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH.

0 Comments

MAY MORNING AT CALICO CREEK--MOREHEAD CITY, NC.

5/13/2016

0 Comments

One of my favorite sites in the Morehead City area is located right inside the heart of town. Calico Creek runs westward off the Newport River through the heart of town. At the bridge across the creek on 20th Street, there are nice boardwalk trails running along the south side of the creek. For more information about this site, see the Calico Creek main page . I visited on Thursday morning, May 12. The previous evening, Glyn, my wife and I had dinner at a new and very nice Caribbean restaurant, the La Perla, which is only about a quarter mile from calico Creek. I highly recommend this unique and excellent spot if you are in the area. One of the things I like about this trail is that it offers both Pine/hardwood forest as well as the salt marsh environment of the creek, There are many woods bird species that can be seen as well as shorebirds and wading birds in the marsh. I was lucky on this trip to see one of my favorite shorebirds, the Black Skimmer. I love seeing these guys skim along the top of the water with their longer lower beak dipping into the water collecting dinner as they fly along. See pictures below taken on the trip.

SEE GALLERY BELOW. CLICK ON ANY PIC TO ENLARGE. USE SIDE ARROWS TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH.

0 Comments

SPRING BIRDS ON A RAINY DAY

5/3/2016

0 Comments

It is May 3 and Spring is in hyper mode with flowers blooming and the birds dating and mating and busy nest building. Problem is its raining and I can’t be out there trying to get a picture or two of the action! So I have been sitting here at the computer perusing a few of the pictures I have taken in the past few days--many of which capture the Spring action-Birds in all their full bright courting colors, nest building, calling potential dates, or just looking pretty in the spring foliage . I am reminded of the spirit of renewal at this time of year with the world in all its fresh buds of mystery to be unfolded over the next year. The birds represent this ancient process with an energy and beauty that is not easily seen in other critters.

The pictures below were taken in the past ten days in various locations near Greenville, NC -- River Park North, The Field, a friend’s Hunt Club, Goose Creek State Park, and my backyard. They have cheered my mood on this rainy day--I hope they do the same for you-----