A Gobbler Up Close

Posted on March 3, 2012 by JK

Saturday, March 3, 2012,

I was out east a few days back, ostensibly to help a friend deliver an armoire to Bridgehampton. He didn’t really need my help but it gave us an excuse to check possible kayak launch sites and stop in at Morton Refuge. I was hoping to see some turkeys. I had seen four during my last visit at the start of the year but I failed to get any decent pics. I had some better luck this time. During our hike at Morton we came across the same bachelor group twice. All males, hence the name bachelor group, they were foraging in an open field when we first encountered them. A bit later on we saw them again, this time in a wooded area. These shots, both of the same bird, were taken there. These pics may also explain why turkeys have segregated flocks. Think about it. If you were a turkey hen, would you want to look at that all year round? It’s amazing that the males are willing to hang out with each other. Maybe it’s a case of misery loving company. Or, perhaps, here is an example of beauty being in the eye of the beholder. I can’t speak for others but, in my mind’s eye, there few things more beautiful than a turkey on the Thanksgiving table. Yes, I realize I’ve drifted off topic but when I think turkey, I think Thanksgiving. Yum. JK

My First Bluebird

Posted on February 26, 2012 by JK

Sunday, February 26, 2012,

This is the Eastern Bluebird. It’s the New York State Bird and I think it’s the first one I’ve ever seen. It’s certainly the first one I’ve ever photographed. Maybe I need to get out more. Now, as have claimed from time to time, I am not a birder. At best, I’m a lousy birder. Honest. Don’t get me wrong, I love being out there and taking the pics but a good deal of the time I don’t know what I’m looking at. That was indeed the case here.

I was enjoying a long overdue visit to Avalon this past week when I saw this bird. Avalon’s open fields are amongst my favorite places to shoot as all that daylight can make for for great shots. That being said, this bird was not in an open field. Rather, it was in treed section outside the northernmost field. In that light its colors looked more gray than blue but there was something about that chest that made me think. I sent the pics to some of my friends at Four Harbors Audubon Society and both Sue and Luci told me that this was a bluebird. Woo hoo! Victory laps around the kitchen and a couple of frightened cats but they’ll get over it. I had my first bluebird!