A Straggler and an Old Friend

This morning I stood for a long time on Waterland Drive as it goes between Seagroves and Waterford Green. After standing still for a while, the birds started to move. First there were a few Goldfinches and a Song Sparrow. Soon I noticed some smaller bird activity. There were at least two Ruby-crowned Kinglets and a Pine Warbler. As I watched, there came two standouts.

The first I easily dismissed as a Pine Warbler, but took a picture just because it was small, pretty, and yellow. When I got home and was reviewing my pictures, I realized the markings were wrong for a Pine Warbler; it was a Northern Parula. The Northern Parula is a relatively common sight around the pond in the summer months, but in the closing days of December, it is quite a rarity. I only got two pictures, because it was quite active. This is the better of the two. Not perfect by any means, but it does show off all of the distinguishing characteristics.

As I continued to watch, I noticed the other standout: a Brown Creeper. Two winters ago I saw them fairly frequently; last winter, I didn’t see one at all. I’m quite happy to see one again. The mottled pattern on their backs renders them practically invisible against the bark of tree trunks. Because this creeper is on a tree with a smaller diameter, the white underparts (not normally seen) are quite visible.

Back at the pond, there were a pair of Hooded Mergansers (as the numbness in my fingers showed, it certainly was cold enough for them). I took this shot quickly when I saw the mergansers and a Mallard pair swimming toward each other. I was hoping to see some interaction, but actually I’m happy with the way this shot worked out. I often say that the Hooded Mergansers are small ducks; this image shows quite clearly how much smaller they are than the Mallards.

I also was able to play around a bit with a technique I’ve been seeing in bird photography videos. They say for ducks and other water birds, it’s best to get as close to the water level as possible. I set my camera down on the floor of the pier and photograph the mergansers under the fencing. This had the added advantage that they couldn’t see me, and thus were not quite so spooked. I got both birds, but I was most pleased with this picture of the male.

The hawks have been quite active in the past few days. Last Wednesday, this Red-shouldered Hawk chose to sit on a branch right above the south bridge. It might be the same one that we’ve seen eating breakfast in nearby trees. I wasn’t concerned about people walking under it (perhaps 15 feet below), and it was barely phased when a couple of dogs decided to bark at each other.

I’m not too keen on wildlife feeling comfortable around people. Although it’s great to be able to photograph the hawks at close range, I’d rather that they were a bit more skittish.

They should take lessons from the Kingfishers.

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