I’m Missing the Fall Migration

I’ve been so focused on finishing my backyard project the last two months I haven’t even managed to get to the beach to see the Fall migration. Instead, I’ve settled for an occasional visit to Theler Wetlands where I can see some of the shorebirds that are moving South.

These Dowitchers seemed particularly golden in early morning light.

I’ve seen more Least Sandpipers, but this Western Sandpiper was a better shot.

Strictly speaking, I think this Spotted Sandpiper has been around much of the summer,

but this is the best shot I’ve managed to get despite several sightings.

Luckily, Leslie, I, and the grandkids are nearly finished with the backyard, and I soon should be able to load up the camper and finally get out.

A Favorite Distraction from Yardwork

I’ve spent the last month and a half transforming my backyard into a garden that I really like and not a nondescript, weed-infested lawn I’m forced to mow regularly. It’s been a tough job made easier by the help of grandkids, particularly Lael who has spent nearly a hundred hours helping us.

The worst part of the job, though, has been missing so many opportunities to birding. I’ll admit to having cabin fever. Luckily, throughout most of that time hummingbirds have been constant visitors, ignoring the clutter to visit their beloved Red Lucifer Crocosmia.

Luckily they were persistent enough that they would stay around when we took a break and I could go get a camera.

Heck, when the Crocosmia was nearly done blooming, a male would sit on the plant refusing to leave his cache.

Nothing lasts forever, of course, so when the deer had finished eating the outside flowers and the rest had stopped blooming, the hummingbirds switched over to the sage plant, which will bloom until late Fall.

Osprey Catching Fish

When the tide is too high to see Virginia Rail, visiting shorebirds, or, even, Killdeer, you’re forced to look for other birds. This time of year, it’s a good idea to watch for Osprey hunting closer to shore than usual. We actually had three different Osprey circling overhead

at one point.

Of course, inevitably they moved further offshore before sighting and diving for a fish.

Unfortunately photos can’t capture the excitement in watching these superb hunter repeatedly diving

and emerging with a catch.

I’ll have to admit that if I could count on seeing Osprey, I would carry my tripod and 500mm lens down to the boardwalk and spend the morning waiting for a shot.

Unfortunately, you can’t count on seeing osprey on most visits, and if you’re carrying a long lens and a tripod you are going to miss all the other shots I love so much.