Monday, April 5, 2010
JK
A Beautiful Morning in March
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Author Archives: JK
Pygmy Scarlet Vulture
Thursday, April 1, 2010
This is the Pygmy Scarlet Vulture. This very rare species, seldom seen outside of the western slopes of the Andes Mountains in Peru, is in dire peril because of loss of habitat. The logging of its rainforest home has left it with only a few localized populations among the foothills of the central Andes. The Holybird, as it is called by the indigenous peoples, is thought by some to usher the spirits of the dead from this realm into the next. This is probably because as, carrion eaters, these brightly colored birds are often the most visible animals at a carcass. JK
JK
January Dunlin At Cedar Beach
Saturday, March 27, 2010
These shots were taken back in January, the same day I took the pics of the surfing Mallard. I know what you’re thinking: Here it spring already, and this guy’s posting pics he took at the start of the year. It’s true, I am amazingly lazy when it comes to posting pics. I’ve been out kayaking since the beginning of March and now I have several current shots ready to go. And you’re here stuck looking at last season’s stuff. Bad, Joe. Bad.
This guy was in a flock of about thirty birds, all of them facing into a very strong wind that was coming from the west. Except for the sun, which was just great, it was a nasty, nasty day. I felt sorry for anything that had to spend the day outdoors but I was plenty glad to get these shots. JK
Hooded Merganser At Frank Melville Park
Sunday, March 7, 2010
JK
Surf’s Up!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
I took these pics on January 4th, a very cold and very windy day. but the sun was out and what the heck, I like taking pictures and I was in the mood for duck. My first stop was Frank Melville Park in Setauket, a great little place to see several species of ducks. Unfortunately, both ponds were frozen over so I headed for Centennial Park in Port Jefferson. I was hoping for something a little more exotic than Mallards but beggars can’t be choosers.
After walking along the shore a bit, I came across this guy taking in some waves. He really seemed to be enjoying himself. I took a whole series of shots while he played. The next two shots were taken only a second apart from each other. It looks to me like he was picking his waves.
Now, maybe I’m anthropomorphizing here but it really seems to me like this bird was having fun. I think he knew what he was doing and I think he was doing it because he enjoyed it. He made it look tempting, but as I mentioned earlier it was a very chilly day. JK
JK