The temp this morning was in the mid 30s so I found a spot behind the north wind at the edge of The Field in direct sunlight and parked my car. Within a few minutes, several Bluejays came out of the woods and perched on branches overlooking the field, looking for insects daring to brave the cold and trying to warm up in the sun, I got several pics of the Jays and spent the next hour and a half watching as a parade of our local resident birds joined the sunny spot. There were no exotic strangers in the bunch, but there was ample diversity to keep it interesting. The field and the forest are in the dull winter dress of the season, with only a few trees clinging to a few colorful leaves. The bland backdrop provides a contrasting canvas for the colors of the birds, especially the blues and yellows. The pictures below are in order of the birds' appearance. Enjoy!!
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Today is Dec. 2, with the temperature at 73 degrees, still too warm for the season. I visited Goose Creek State Park this morning. I had not been here since early the past summer. I was hoping to see a late migrating warbler. The recent flood from hurricane Matthew pretty much erased our normal fall migration in areas that were flooded since it was hard to access the habitat because of the water. Goose Creek usually has a fair warbler migration in the fall, but today produced no species. It is just too late. In fact, there were very few birds to be seen or heard--it was very quiet. I did manage to find a few of our usual residents. I saw a Northern Harrier in a field along the road coming into the park and was able to get a fair photo. Most of the trees are bare, but there were a few still holding color, not quite ready to shed their coats. These, along with a few birds, a deer, and a butterfly enjoying the warm temps make up the pics below. I am ready for some really cold weather!! SEE GALLERY BELOW. CLICK ANY PIC TO ENLARGE. USE SIDE ARROWS TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH. |
Jerry Lotterhos is a retired professor who resides in Greenville, N.C.
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