Category Archives: Nissequogue River

The Pollinator

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Friday, June 6, 2008

There are places along the river that are hidden from view unless you know to look for them. I like to visit these spots from time to time to see what I can see. Sometimes I’ll duck into a stream or hidden pond and just have a snack and read awhile without anyone seeing how lazy I can be. I was doing just that this past Sunday when I was lucky enough to catch this guy at work. I was luckier still to get a couple of shots in focus. I’m not sure what the flowers are but they look like a photo of Multiflora Rose that I found in the Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, which would make it an invasive species. What I can tell you for certain is that they smelled terrific. JK

Oystercatchers At Sunken Meadow Park

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Thursday, June 5, 2008

Last Thursday and Friday I kayaked in Sunken Meadow State Park. There were many cool birds to check out. I found this pair of American Oystercatchers on both days. I’ve seen these birds from afar on the south shore. This was the first time I’ve seen them up close. In flight and from any distance these birds are very elegant, but when you get a good look at those eyes they start to look a bit silly. Just one man’s opinion. JK

Black-crowned Night Heron

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Wednesday, May 28, 2008

I went out on the river for a few hours on Saturday. It was pretty busy out there because of Memorial Day weekend. Lots of boats. But there are places on the river that many powerboats cannot get into. I found this Black-crowned Night Heron in a part of the river that is very shallow even at high tide. Only very rarely do I find these birds at the water as they tend to be nocturnal. I usually find them roosting in trees along the Nissequogue River State Park. I take shots of them there but since these guys tend to be hidden in the shadows you don’t always get to see those big red eyes. Looks like he’s been out all night. But then, well, he is a night heron.

While I was out there I also saw several Horseshoe Crabs. Not lots, around twenty or so. They were all paired up with the exception of one female. Playing hard to get, I guess. JK

Red-tail And Crows

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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

These are some shots I took while I was out kayaking Sunday. Two crows were showing this poor defenseless Red-tailed Hawk to the exit. Something about an exclusive neighborhood, I think. I guess being top dog isn’t always easy.

The Red-tail appears to be missing one of its primaries on its left wing. I don’t think it happened during this encounter, unless it occurred before I caught sight of their altercation. The pic below shows the missing feather a bit more clearly. JK

Eye Of The Dragon

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Sunday, May 18, 2008

An eye very much like like this one saw dinosaurs. I went out for about four plus hours this morning. I found this Common Snapping Turtle just south of Terrapin Station. He and four others were pulled up along the bank. Everyone but this guy made for the river as soon as they saw me. At first this one was oblivious to my presence. He was out cold. I was even beginning to think he might be dead. And then, when he finally did raise his head to look me over, he didn’t care. I was three feet away and he just lay there eyeing me. I’m pretty sure that he is fairly old because of how smooth his shell was. Snappers are born with very keeled (jagged) shells that grow smoother as they age. Handsome brute, ain’t he? JK