Dateline: 10 November 2023
Back to Gull Point, with ‘part 2’ from last Friday – in which a post contains way too many Dunlin & Snow Bunting!
Finally, a very long distance and unsatisfying shot of Lapland Longspur (on far right and left of middle; Horned Lark on far left). Still, very cool to see!
Dateline: 11 November 2023
Photographing birds at Pymatuning Reservoir spillway (Crawford County, PA) is the birding equivalent of shooting fish in a barrel. Except the birds aren’t captive. And there’s no violence or bloodshed. Ok, maybe not so similar. … Anyway, it’s a popular spot for ‘feeding the ducks’ = local Canada Geese, Ring-billed Gulls, & Mallards, all used to human presence. Rather nice, actually, to enjoy things up close for a change.
Partially cloudy/gloomy conditions not conducive to photos. Thank you, Nikon spot metering mode. … Except where noted, following shots are all Ring-billed Gulls (the white ones), male Mallard (green/blue head), and female Mallard (mottled brown):
Coming up soon, more Gull Point! More Pymatuning Reservoir! #more_bird
Dateline: 10 November 2023
Despite partially cloudy conditions, a rather epic day Friday at Gull Point – Presque Isle State Park – with ducks, Dunlin, and an amazing trifecta of Snow Bunting, Horned Lark, & Lapland Longspur!
Coming up soon, more Gull Point!
More Dunlin, more Presque Isle State Park. Recent/gloomy shots at Leo’s Landing on Presque Isle Bay.
Dateline: 5 August 2023
While waiting for more Dunlin content from Presque Isle State Park, it’s back to Marana, AZ in August for BirdingPI.com’s final epic installment (for now) of birds @ El Rio Preserve.
Lucky to have plenty of time with this beautiful Greater Roadrunner in a tree – such an amazing/cool bird!
Not quite sure, but some sort of juvenile or female flycatcher probably:
Forgot to switch back to a fast shutter speed for most of these shots = overexposed white plumage + blurry. (#2 Rule of Photography: check your camera settings. #1 Rule of Photography: remember the batteries and memory cards.) Nevertheless, very cool to see (and hear = distinctive whooping/hooting) Tundra Swan last week back at Presque Isle State Park the first time this fall:
Two Tundra Swans landing by four already in the water (hard too see, but on the right-hand corner of this shot):
Foolish perhaps to ascribe human emotions to birds, but everyone seemed very happy with this reunion! See also recent, very interesting research showing geese (and by extension, presumably, Tundra Swans) recognize each other socially.
Still lots of Dunlin activity at Presque Isle State Park. Recent sightings at Thompson Bay, head of Presque Isle Bay, and Leo’s Landing. These shots from the other weekend at Gull Point.
And lots and lots of flocks of Dunlin in flight:
Coming up soon, more Dunlin! #more_bird
Overcast with periodic light rain Saturday; very gloomy. Sunny Sunday – lovely day. Lots of ducks spotted evacuating Presque Isle State Park ahead of today’s start of duck hunting season. Stay safe, duck friends!
On Niagara Pond, perhaps the world’s blackest American Black Duck?
Can’t help but be happy with birds as beautiful as Costa’s Hummingbird in the world! (Forthcoming new name: “Purple Star Sapphire.” Maybe “Purple Shooting Star.”) In Tucson this past August.
Finally back at Gull Point last Saturday @ Presque Isle State Park. Cloudy/unsettled weather, but a beautiful day nevertheless – very few folks out. #peaceful_nature
Roped trail to the observation platform has been ‘de-roped’ for the year, so looks like nesting season is officially over. Following’s the view of the official trail from the old observation platform, sans rope:
Surprise of the day was two large flocks of beautiful Dunlin, BirdingPI.com’s ‘tied for first’ favourite shorebird:
Also four lovely Sanderling. Conveniently, the other of BirdingPI.com’s ‘tied for first’ favourite shorebirds.
More Dunlin!
And finally, here’s the old observation platform with fully completed repairs/maintenance – new stairs, new decking, and new side rails! Great job DCNR on these excellent Gull Point improvements!
