There are really no "bad" times to visit Fort Macon State Park to see birds, but a cool fall morning with a clear blue sky is really special. Fall was present in its full coat there this past Saturday, although colors are a bit more subtle on the coast than our renowned mountain colors in North Carolina. A noticeable presence was the red and gold poison ivy draping the dark green of the red cedar trees that populate the Park. With the sky so blue, the water was a deep sparkling blue and all color was enhanced, making photo efforts easy. I am in process of buying a new big telescopic lens(which has not arrived), so I was using my wife's canon 75-300 zoom which provides plenty distance for average birding where the lighting is good and birds are not too distant.
I got some great pics of the numerous mockingbirds that were everywhere., as were Yellow-rumped Warblers. I was happy to see that the Black Crowned Night Herons are again roosting in their favorite place in the big Red Cedars behind the visitor center. Caught a turtle sunning at the pond, and was surprised to get a couple of shots of late season butterflies hanging around. The Monarch picture was a beautiful sample of this treasure that is in danger because its habitat is diminishing all across North America, especially the loss of Milkweed on which it depends. You can participate in an effort to help the Monarch. The Xerces program is a huge nationwide effort to help by planting milkweed. Visit their site on the internet for full instructions on how to help.
It was a beautiful and peaceful morning and as always, the time slid by too quickly and it was off to the Sanitary Restaurant in nearby Morehead City for lunch on some great shrimp!. If you love birding in a beautiful and productive spot, this is a great time of year to visit this coastal treasure!! I hope you enjoy the pics below!!
I got some great pics of the numerous mockingbirds that were everywhere., as were Yellow-rumped Warblers. I was happy to see that the Black Crowned Night Herons are again roosting in their favorite place in the big Red Cedars behind the visitor center. Caught a turtle sunning at the pond, and was surprised to get a couple of shots of late season butterflies hanging around. The Monarch picture was a beautiful sample of this treasure that is in danger because its habitat is diminishing all across North America, especially the loss of Milkweed on which it depends. You can participate in an effort to help the Monarch. The Xerces program is a huge nationwide effort to help by planting milkweed. Visit their site on the internet for full instructions on how to help.
It was a beautiful and peaceful morning and as always, the time slid by too quickly and it was off to the Sanitary Restaurant in nearby Morehead City for lunch on some great shrimp!. If you love birding in a beautiful and productive spot, this is a great time of year to visit this coastal treasure!! I hope you enjoy the pics below!!
RSS Feed