Dateline: 6-9 January 2022
First, some context with the Erie, PA weather: snow overnight Thursday and all day Friday. Saturday, clear initially, passing high clouds late AM, then clear in the afternoon; cold, in the 20’s. Beautiful day, but with a light breeze, brutally chilly for bird photography, at least in the morning. (“BirdingPI.com is here to suffer for you.”) Sunday, temps in the 30’s, rain and freezing rain. Some ice on the ponds and back bay.
It’s now cold enough for the camera equipment to act up. Nikon does not respond well to sub-freezing temps. (“Nikon!!!!” – In the Jerry Seinfeld “Newman!” voice.) Lens auto-focus seems to work ok when it’s active, but there’s typically a focus and/or shooting delay, especially in terms of multiple successive shots. Thus, you can expect one shot and then after that, it’s ‘hope for the best,’ or just wait a few seconds.
Anyway. … Highly localized but wonderful bird activity on Saturday – report to follow. In the meantime, here are some snapshots from the last week generally, all at Presque Isle State Park.
Picture above: American Widgeon in the middle/bottom, to the left is a Canadian Goose or two, Mallard (m) to the far left, Ring-necked Ducks to the right and upper.
Mostly the ducks are skittish and take flight quickly. We don’t like to disturb any birds unnecessarily, but it’s either that or don’t bother birding. (The “I come in peace” sign does not work.)
Following are two versions of the same shot on Long Pond, just after the shots above:
Finally (!), Tundra Swans on ice:
