Wednesday, July 15, 2009
JK
Killdeer At Sunken Meadow
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Category Archives: Sunken Meadow
Snowy Punk Rocker
Saturday, September 20, 2008
This is a shot that I took over a year ago at Sunken Meadow Park. This Snowy Egret had raised the plumes on the back of his head giving him the appearance of a punk rocker. Does anyone remember Billy Idol? It wasn’t that long ago, was it? I think I’m showing my age. JK
Chicks On The Beach
Friday, July 18, 2008
Earlier this week I promised to post some pics of Piping Plover chicks. This little guy seemed as interested in me as I was in him but a few peeps from Mom and he headed back to her.
This shot of a chick with one of its parents shows the size difference between the two. Piping Plovers are not that big to begin with.
These guys are very difficult to photograph. When they’re moving, they’re moving fast. And when they stop, they melt right into the background. Those fuzzy edges just disappear and you can’t tell the bird from the sand.
June 12 was the first day I saw one of the plover chicks over at Sunken Meadow Park. I only saw the one chick that day but I’ve seen others since, but never in any great numbers. I don’t think I’ve seen more than five chicks in any one visit to Sunken Meadow. Of course, my view of the nesting area is from the water inside the inlet, so I don’t see all there is to see. You can walk around the perimeter of the nesting area but I prefer to disturb the birds as little as possible.
Now, anytime you have chicks on the beach, you’re going to find some cool cats checking them out. These two felines were at the base of the bluffs at Kings Park dreaming of ways to get across the water to Sunken Meadow. At low tide you or I can walk right across but I don’t think it’s a trick a cat wants to try. JK
The Little Guy That Closes Beaches
Monday, July 14, 2008
This post is way overdue. These are pics of Piping Plovers. I’ve been seeing the adults since the start of May and their eggs began hatching at least a month ago. I’ll post some shots of the young ones later this week. In the photo below you can get an idea of how their coloration helps to camouflage them on sandy beaches. JK
Laughing Gull
Monday, June 30, 2008
Who says gulls can’t be good-looking? This sharp dresser is a Laughing Gull. I think. I’m pretty sure. After that Least Tern debacle I’ve lost all certainty. Look, I’m a photographer, not a birder. How very Michael Jackson of me.
According to Sibley and other sources these birds are amongst the most populous gulls on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. While I see them every year, I never see them in great numbers so perhaps they don’t have as big a population here as they do in more southerly climes. JK