Some Time At Presque Isle

Rather dramatic weather conditions last Sunday afternoon at Presque Isle State Park: wind, cold, on/off snow, but occasionally the sun poked through. This about sums it up – Canada Geese landing on Long Pond in light snowfall:

Ring-billed Gulls & Bonaparte’s Gulls (e.g., bottom center) at Leo’s Landing
Bald Eagle perched by Long Pond
Bonaparte’s Gull in flight @ Leo’s Landing

Black spot at the center is an American Black Duck:

Extreme crop of that same shot – same form factor as Mallard but much darker, especially at a distance:

American Black Duck (detail)
Another Bonaparte’s Gull in flight
Canada Geese landing II
Mixed gulls take flight at Leo’s Landing

Fox Sparrow is relatively uncommon and fairly reclusive. This individual was heard vocalizing multiple times, but only popped out of the underbrush briefly for a (poor quality) picture:

Note the rufous ‘fox’ tail
Scaups – front on view – in flight over Thompson Bay
Another view of Bonaparte’s Gull in flight
Gulls take flight II
Observation platforms @ outer Gull Point w/ Lake Erie surf in background
Common Merganser (male on left, female on right) on Thompson Bay
Red-tailed Hawk flying over Thompson Bay
Hawk outline
Common Merganser II
Lesser Scaup on Thompson Bay
Male Common Merganser in flight
Hawk III

Remainder are Common Merganser (male @ left or top) departing Thompson Bay:

Note the duck blind in the background is completely surrounded by water, indicating a very high lake level; t the time this was installed, it was on dry-ish land:

Outer Gull Point tree line in background
Gull Point in background
‘Mainland’ Erie Co. in background

Weather today in Erie County, Pennsylvania: cold, light wind, light snow. Winter is here!

2 thoughts on “Some Time At Presque Isle”

  1. Paul Edwards

    That sneaky fox sparrow! Gave the Team Leader a peak, but that’s all he gets! Loved the sleekness of the Mergansers in flight.

    1. admin1 Post author

      Not the best shot of Fox Sparrow for sure, but just happy to see it at all. Maybe a 1-2 times a year sighting for BirdingPI.com staff.

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