On a snowy Sunday in Erie County, PA, time for more winter birds @ Presque Isle State Park:
Ring-billed Gulls on air, land, & water:
Finally, a trio of Bufflehead (f) ‘flapping/rear view’ on Presque Isle Bay:
#misc_winter_bird/2
The Shortest Straw
Dateline: 31 December 2023
“This shortest straw has been pulled for you…” – Metallica, The Shortest Straw, 1988.
It was time once again for BirdingPI.com’s annual “New Year’s Eve day trek to Gull Point.” With cold temps, overcast skies, light/persistent rain, and minimal bird activity, the normally happy occasion morphed into BirdingPI.com’s “New Year’s Eve day involuntary ordeal out to Gull Point.” Happy to report, however, only minimal hypothermia. #no_birder_left_behind
Highlight of the day, lovely Downy Woodpecker in ‘launch’ mode:
Finally out at Gull Point proper, e.g., outer mud flats. The only in situ birds observed, two Herring Gulls:
So this goes down as “Gull Point least on-site bird activity ever.” Which is something, maybe.
And to wrap it up, on Lake Erie off Gull Point, first a raft/line of ducks, mostly Scaup (Greater? Lesser?):
And one, lone, lovely Ruddy Duck:
Coming up soon, more Erie County, PA bad weather, and then some!
#misc_winter_bird
Ahead of what looks to be a cold and (lightly) snowy weekend in Erie County, PA, some misc./recent bird pics from Presque Isle State Park!
A nice series of beautiful Ring-necked Duck (m):
Two of GBHIF in fog over Thompson Bay:
Finally, two of lovely American Tree Sparrow by Beach No. 11 parking:
Wishing everyone a great weekend! #enjoy_nature
Mockingbird Portraiture
Found this collection of rather nice Northern Mockingbird photos from last year in Virginia lost in the “drafts” folder. While waiting on more content from Presque Isle State Park, please enjoy.
Episode VI – Return Of The Gull
We now return to our regularly-scheduled programming…
Meanwhile…
2024/Bald Eagle (Part 2)
More recent Bald Eagle at Presque Isle State Park! Shots of the north side of Long Pond taken from boat landing #4.
2024/Gull vs. Eagle (Part 1)
Starting off 2024 the happiest way possible, with Bald Eagles at Presque Isle State Park. Came in on the tail end of this recent exchange over Long Pond, + the positioning/lighting wasn’t ideal, but still, it’s a gull of some sort (Herring?) chasing a Bald Eagle!
Next time, more/better Bald Eagle!
Episode V – The Gulls Strike Back
More Darth Vader Great Black-backed Gull:
Meanwhile…
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s special New Year’s post: Gull vs. Eagle!
Gull Wars (Episode IV)
A few days ago, in a state park not far away…
Ring-billed Gulls on the chase for destroying the Death Star food:
Coming soon, Episode V – The Gulls Strike Back!
[Editor’s note to staff: the wave picture at top is clearly on a different day/time = nonsensical. Please delete or replace before publication.]
TSIF
Tooth surface index of fluorosis? Thank swans it’s Friday? Maybe Tundra Swans in flight? Recent Tundra Swan activity at Leo’s Landing, Presque Isle State Park.
With entrance to Presque Isle Bay in background, South Pier on right and North Pier on left:
