Yup, they are there and they have kid(s). Saw at least one eyas peeking over the ledge. Thought I saw a flappy peregrine going after an adult. Don’t know if one fledged or not. Adults made many photogenic fly overs. And they escorted an osprey out of the area. No pics of that one, darn.
Enjoy the orioles and warblers and goldfinches. A surprise is coming shortly. Couldn’t post until now because of security reasons.
Jamaica Bay rules. Can’t seem to stay away for very long. The terns were stomping up a storm in the surf. What makes them do that? Are they raising the crabs?
Terns stomping in the surf at Jamaica Bay
Glossy ibis, look at the bill!!
Brants showing off for the terns
Yellow warbler, it dashed into the bush
Sandpiper pair, sporting spots
Happy Mother’s Day! (again)
I can’t resist this place. Please forgive my indulgence in honoring a very old monarch butterfly as she lays her last eggs. Her quest took her from Angangueo, Mexico to New York City, a trip of more than 2,645 miles!! Try doing that when you are old.
Monarch Butterfly at Jamaica Bay, New York
Monarch
Monarch, note the transparent wing on the right
A mother's love, just a bit early for Mother's Day
Goslings
And the Piece de Resistance, yellow crowned night heron at Big John's Pond
Yellow crowned night heron
Yup, there s/he is
Wren keeping house at the visitor's center
Gray catbird
Waited and waited for the barn owls to fledge. But the fog came in. Worth the wait, though.
Barn owl almost fledglings at Jamaica Bay
Wood duck
Juvenile black crowned night heron. The parents were very close by.
There are many places in the NYC Metro area to explore and photograph. Spring is definitely here.
Swan at Jamaica Bay. No one can ever have enough swans.
Tree swallow at Jamaica Bay. Like, how can you miss them?
I couldn't resist another cardinal picture, Jamaica Bay.
Osprey at Edith Read Sanctuary, up close and beautiful.
Turkey at Edith Read. He had a friend.
Sorry, folks. I love the Canada geese.
Saw Mill River Audubon’s Project FeederWatch at Croton Point Nature Center ended. The large mixed flock of red-winged blackbirds, grackles, cowbirds and starlings came to say goodbye. All the birds now have mates. I was also fortunate enough to finally see an American tree sparrow. All the other species also stopped by. The finches showed themselves along with the woodpeckers, titmice, chickadees and nuthatches. Easter brought visits to Manhattan and Jersey City to check out the peregrine falcons. The good news is that both Riverside Church and Jersey City are sitting on eggs. Unfortunately, there will be no falcons at 55 Water Street this year. Construction around the scrape began just before mating season and is continuing. No sign of the falcons. They may have gone to Brooklyn.
Goldfinch
Peregrine falcon at Riverside Church
April 1, 2012 will be the last official watch at the feeders. I just hope the brown creeper shows itself. I continue to see an eagle every weekend. The locals are all getting their mates. Enjoy the female red bellied woodpecker and the red wing bachelors. The downy got another mate and the cowbirds have stayed attached.
Carolina wren taking up residence in my barn
Project Feeder Watch continues until April 1. The leaves have sprouted on the trees and bushes and the red winged blackbirds have found mates. My Carolina wrens have taken up housekeeping in my barn and the red tails are taking turns incubating. The red bellied woodpecker looks spectacular. And a mockingbird has to decide if he should follow the road.
Saw Mill River Audubon’s Croton Point Nature Center Project Feeder Watch continues. I did make it to a few other sites along the river, but the action remains at the park. Our local eagles are still around, but the males are really the only ones fishing. Our red tail hawk is by himself for awhile as his mate is hopefully incubating. He showed up twice at the nature center last week. He wanted that big, fat rat. He called for it. He probably got it because when we saw him later in the morning his beak had signs of a meal. The starlings and mixed flock of about 100 birds is cleaning out the feeders on a regular basis.
Come out here, you rat!
After a small meal, the red tail is determined to get the rat.
I didn't get enough to eat, yet. How about you?
Female Cowbird Pole Dancer
Take Off
