www.aba.org/first-red-flanked-bluetail-in-the-eastern-aba-area/
https://ebird.org/species/refblu
It is just a wee little feathered creature not much bigger than the average warbler with a striking blue tail and red sides. And believe it or not, people from all over the country made their way to where it chose to hang out. For close to two months, a very lost Red-flanked Bluetail has called a location in New Jersey home. Normally this species ranges in Siberia stretching into Europe and as far east as Japan. With less than a dozen stray sightings into the western part of the United States, this was the first time this species was recorded present on the eastern seaboard. And wow! It sure did cause a ton of excitement in the birding world! One might think it crazy to make such a long journey traveling hours just to see a bird and a story was shared of a young birder being surprised by his father for his birthday - a trip via plane to see this bird! How awesome is that! When you live and love nature as much as I do, having the chance to see this once in a lifetime rarity was a must do! I am grateful to my friend Monica who offered to let me accompany her as we both really wanted to see this bird At 4am traveling 3.5 hours, we made the trek to try to catch a glimpse of this ultra rarity. When we arrived, it was reported that the bird was present just five minutes before and that it had left the feeding area the homeowners had set up for it. It was a nail biting nerve wracking time waiting - and hoping. The weather was not ideal with thick clouds overhead as rain was heading in later in the day. However, it didn't stem the excitement! Oh, what might this be? Our merry little band of awaiting birders rose when movement in the vegetation was noticed. But it was not the Bluetail. I trained my lens on a nearby Mockingbird which dropped in to check out the mealworm feeder on the ground as I waited and quietly watched the surrounding area wondering if the Bluetail would pop up in a different spot than expected. What is this? I see more birds moving about. Is it the Bluetail? Wait!! Wait!! Maybe!! Ugh. Nope. A Hermit Thrush and some other smaller birds made their way to the open area to feed on seeds and mealworms. We knew it had to be around in the area having already been seen. Just be patient, I kept telling myself. After a nail-biting hour of anticipation, the reward of beautiful full views of the Bluetail happened! It was absolutely wonderful to see! Camera shutters clicked dozens of photos and I came away with some nice keepers even at a high ISO and an incredibly wonderful memory. It still has not totally sunken in that I actually saw this bird! That is how much I am tickled with having had the chance to go! To the home owners, my deepest gratitude goes out to you for sharing this sighting with all of us and allowing the birding community to visit and enjoy this once in a lifetime ultra rarity. Thank you to my friend for allowing me to join her on the journey. And to the Bluetail, for whatever reason you made your way to New Jersey, thank you for letting myself and the rest of the birders see you. I will never forget the experience! Further reading: www.aba.org/first-red-flanked-bluetail-in-the-eastern-aba-area/ https://ebird.org/species/refblu #redflankedbluetail #birding #nature #wildlife #bird
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I have to admit I let a lot slide when the pandemic hit. My focus was on staying healthy and safe. Life changed greatly with the way my regular job was being run and my attention had shifted. All birding and pelagic trips were cancelled. And the world seemed so much quieter. Initially I would venture out solely for necessities. There would be so few cars on the road. It was as if the world had completely halted. Restaurants were closed except for take out. Socializing was risky business. I didn't even want to go out birding for fear of becoming infected - or what if I were carrying this deadly virus and gave it to someone else? There were days I felt total dread. Was this the end?
After what seemed like forever, life started coming back to normal - sort of. I still avoided going out unless I had to. Still no birding ventures or pelagics. A friend commented on how wonderful it must be for the wild things. And surely it seemed to be very good for them. Skies seemed bluer. There was less noise (no airplanes flying overhead). Less cars on the roads. The natural world changed. If you have the chance, I highly suggest seeing this movie narrated by Sir Richard Attenborough:
All of the events of the last two years made me think a lot about the impacts humanity is having on this tiny blue planet in the third orbit moving around a yellow star. I spent a lot of time reflecting on my own impact on the world and what I could do to improve my footprint. I certainly don't have all the answers, and I certainly can do a lot better, however it all starts with even little steps forward. My eyes and ears opened to what was right around my little piece of land and I made a promise to further enhance it. I want more connection with the wild things around me. I know this will come at the behest of my neighbors who have no care except for their perfect manicured monocrop lawns. But in all honesty - too bad.
I began a journey of reading more. It must be said, I am NOT much of a reader. I never was. My preference was for hands on get out and do kind of learning. Sitting with a book was always a struggle, unless it was about horses way long ago when I was in middle school doing book reports. If you love nature, Silent Spring by Rachel Carson is a MUST READ. While the time of her penning this book is decades ago, the things she noticed make perfect sense for the upheaval of our natural world even as we continue to seriously impact it today. It's all so true that insects are the basis of so much of the connections and we need to bring them back. So much of our very existence revolved around the littlest things we share this planet with. We should have learned how our choices are indeed impacting everything else.
I watched a video conference with Doug Tallamy - author of a couple books now jetting their way to me. A third he authored is on my want list. In this talk, sponsored by the Dutchess Land Conservancy, he made me realize that while I am just one person, I can make a difference. I have the power to control what I plant in my yard. While I had already made the decision to focus on native plants, my commitment to this was totally solidified after hearing Doug speak so passionately about the little things we can and should do. I can say with even a little creativity, even our inner cities can embrace nature and reconnect and grow what makes the big ecosystem work.
Please enjoy Doug's talk here:
I've blogged in the past about my pride and joy pollinator garden. Believe me, there will be more on that project and the future expansion to remove more grass to make way for more plants. Efforts are also under way to rid part of the yard of invasives and install native plants in their place. Stay tuned for more on that.
In summation, I certainly will report back on some of the efforts I employ. If you have any suggestions for books to read, certainly feel free to leave a comment with titles and authors. I'm in the Northeast USA. Feral cats - those homeless throwaway felines or born in the wild from those tossed out from domestic living. This is Harry as a wild feral cat photographed about nine years ago. He would show up every day for a feeding after following and befriending another feral Hobo. When captured to be neutered, Harry had tested positive for feline AIDs. However, it does not have to mean a death sentence. Harry is now 11 years old and doing well. He is not a lap cat and prefers to keep his distance. However, he took immediately to indoor living adjusting to the warmth and comforts of 'home' reuniting with his former outdoor buddy, Hobo, and is happy living life lounging around, watching the birds from the windows, and being where a domestic cat should be - inside a house. Hobo has since passed on while Harry continues to live his life. This photo is one I just love. Taken just before he would say goodbye to outdoor living and after it had rained, his damp coat and not so happy look made me think his ‘expression’ was perfect for a quirky birthday card! Check out the link to the card here. Inside silly verse can be adjusted and customized https://www.zazzle.com/z/1njy8?rf=238754217895747360 Want to see more of my greeting cards? Check out my two online stores at Zazzle and Greeting Card Universe. Don't see what you need? Feel free to review images on my website and contact me for a custom designed greeting card. Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (Plum Island), Ipswich, Massachusetts. A beautiful sunny day. A slight breeze moves over the landscape making the goldenrod sway back and forth. Birds chirp from the shrubs. A trio of monarchs and several cabbage whites dance from flower to flower sipping sweet nectar. This spot is a picture of beauty and peace. Then, the peace is interrupted. An eerie shadow of an approaching predator glided across the ground. The alarm calls sound as the small birds dove for cover. Slowly, with little effort, a Red-tailed Hawk silently drifted in. Settling at the top of a tall pine tree, the raptor glanced around. It's interest in what was present was very apparent as the juvenile's yellow eyes scanned the ground around the tree. For several moments, the bird sat at the top of the tree shifting itself forward and bobbing its head as I inferred it must have been seeking to find prey. Ever alert, the raptor waited patiently. At that moment, I moved myself back trying to observe and photograph the bird atop the tree from a more reasonable distance. Positioning myself near the small shed some 80 feet away, I watched with great interest. Other observers noted the focus of the bird as it continued scanning the area. With no warning, the bird's eyes seemed to lock on something I was unaware of. It launched itself off the tree and, much to my surprise, headed right in my direction. The bird seemed to magically float on the air as it approached closer and closer. Then, it paused hovering like a drone in front of me less than 15 feet away - tail pointed in my direction. It was so close that I could only see the face and legs in the viewfinder of my camera. I could see the pale yellow eyes and the sharpness of its talons. The raptor's head shifted from side to side obviously seeking something on the ground in the brush. This left me in the middle of a dilemma. Do I move back and take a risk of scaring whatever prey might have been there? What of the bird that seemed intent on getting a closer look and possibly grabbing a much needed meal? If I moved, I undoubtedly would have distracted the bird and scared it too. Knowing how important it was that this bird be allowed to continue his search, I stayed as still as I could, lens raised as I took a few more photos (yes, taking advantage of this close proximity but also fearful that even the act of my lowering the lens might have been cause enough to make the bird leave). I thought it best to more or less freeze in place. Luckily, I had the shutter set to silent mode. And all the while, I could feel my heart in my throat amazed with the closeness of this bird. After several frames, the bird still hovering like a kite on the light breeze, it was apparent there was no prey to be found. It started to slowly move forward gaining lift before flying around the shed away from me. Higher and higher it went with little effort and no apparent alarm to my presence. Whatever might have been in the scrub was gone or maybe not there to begin with. I will never know for sure. However, my friend Jeri noted that a mouse or vole ran passed her position a short distance away from me. I was elated with sheer delight and excitement still unable to fully grasp what had just happened. I had to fan myself after the bird left because I just could not believe I was able to have such an amazing encounter. At first I hesitated to share my images for fear of being called an unethical photographer and this blog I hope serves as a way to educate and to fully disclose that my close proximity was something the bird chose - not I. I did not wish to be in the bird's way or disrupt it's need to hunt and I could not have predicted that my position would be exactly where this raptor would choose to hover and seek possible prey. I had backed away from the tree to get a clearer look at the bird as it sat atop the tree and yes I did take some photos to record the observation. I still ask myself if I was doing the right thing being at that particular spot to see in such incredibly close proximity this raptor. Could I have moved away? Maybe. However, was my decision to stay there and record digital images of this incredible encounter alright to do. My final decision to ease my mind was to accept that I was given a miraculous chance to see something so beautiful up so close. I chose to stay put and as still as possible while hitting the shutter release button reducing my being a distraction. Some may criticize that I should have been farther away. I thought I was certainly far enough off when this bird was up at the top of a perhaps 30 or 40 foot (or more) tall tree and I had backed up to the shed. The distance between the shed and tree was at least 80 feet as measured via Google Earth. I had no way of knowing the bird would launch itself in my direction and approach so close. Interfering with any wild animal is never something I would intentionally do - not to just get a photograph. In this situation, I took it as a very special situation that I was able to capture images of - images of a majestic bird who perhaps didn't consider me a threat to what it needed to do. My images were made as a means of immortalizing this event - to share the majesty of this raptor - and to serve as a way to teach others that when we are respectful, sometimes beautiful encounters happen - and the encounter is authentic - not artificially created. Links: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Bird Vision The Condor: Behavior and Food Habits of the Red-tailed Hawk It's the 1950s in the Congress Avenue area of New Haven. CT. There were a variety of businesses along the main roads. My mother shared stories about nights out in the neighbor's yard, flashlight in hand, collecting "night crawlers" to use for fishing the next morning along the banks of West River. She'd walk down Congress Avenue with her childhood friends to fish or crab in the river. Lines put out, nets ready, and oh dear, here comes a flood of suds cast out from the new car wash. Times were different and the health and well being of nature was of less concern then. Urban sprawl is taking away vital habitats from wild life. There is a growing trend to change this and incorporate more "green spaces". One such undertaking has been a revitalization and restoration of New Haven's West River. Dedicated people are working hard to clear invasive plants and improve the health of the river itself. In the links section, there are a few informative articles that provide some background on the project itself.
What was once just grass, Phragmites, and invasive plants is turning into a beautiful healthy wild space. I was amazed with the life I was able to see. Besides the birds, bees, wasps and other pollinators were making use of the growing numbers of flowers. A mowed path allowed my friend and I to traverse the area exploring what was to be seen. Dennis Riordan of the Menunkatuck Audubon informed us that many new wildflowers are beginning to establish here and there is sure to be a great deal of color come spring. Winter promises to have a number of species of ducks and of course, the songbirds and eagles will be welcome sightings. The area is now listed on eBird as a birding "hot spot". Nesting gourdes have been put up in the hopes of attracting Purple Martins. Tree Swallow nest boxes have already successfully brought in several pairs. And I was happy to see a bat house up on a tall post. Little by little the habitat is being improved and revitalized. So many are to thank for bringing wildlife back to this area and as work continues it is hoped people and animals can enjoy this area. My bird sightings from that morning: 30 Canada Goose Branta canadensis 5 Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura 2 Herring Gull Larus argentatus 3 Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus 1 Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias 3 Great Egret Ardea alba 1 Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis 2 Downy Woodpecker Dryobates pubescens 20 Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus 1 Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus 1 Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis 2 Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos 4 American Goldfinch Spinus tristis 1 Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia 2 Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula 5 House Sparrow Passer domesticus Take a look at this little bugger. Cute, isn't he? Who doesn't love an adorable little squirrel? How about this little guy? Look at those cheeks! Oh my word, I just smile looking at him filling up his pouches with bird seed I toss down on the ground. Cuteness overload! Well, these little guys might be cute, but they lose that cuteness pretty quickly after I have just painstakingly planted sunflower seeds in my garden and find them digging up those newly planted seeds. This was the scene last summer. Newly dug holes were filled with fresh dirt and the seeds of rusty colored sunflowers planted. These were a favorite flower to photograph the previous summer and to offer in my garden for pollinators and seeds for birds. No sooner did I get my rows planted and watered did the squirrels and chipmunks quickly figure out that some tasty bites were at the tips of their paws. And sure enough, they fed on every single seed I planted. Now ask me if I thought they were so cute! This year, I was not going to make that mistake again. I don't exactly have a set up for starting seeds inside. However, I was determined to do something. I read about using eggshells for seed starter pots and thought I would try my hand at it. I to use eggs as a daily part of my breakfast, so quickly amassing enough empty shells was not at all a problem. Here's how I accomplished the task. Preparing the Eggshell Pots Cracking the eggs a certain way was the first step. I would carefully crack them on the edge of my bowl near the top of the pointy end of the egg. If you do it right, the top of the egg will break away leaving the rest of the eggshell intact. Drain out the egg and use as needed. For me, I scramble and microwave for my breakfast. Again with care, peel away bits of eggshell until there is enough of an opening at the top to add soil and seeds. The bits of shell that are removed can be placed into the bottom of the shell. Here is what I would have once the top is removed. Do this to as many eggs as you think you need to start all of your seeds. I didn't bother to poke holes in the bottoms as some suggest doing. I knew mine would be sitting out on the back porch in the sun where it tends to get hot and would quickly dry any plantings out. Let the shells dry out thoroughly before using. In the above photo, you can see newly prepared shells with the remaining shell bits in the bottoms. These are kept in the cardboard carton for safe keeping. It is also suggested to boil the shells to sterilize. This I did not do either. Planting the Eggshell Pots This is easy enough. Take a quality potting soil and fill the shells with it. Add your seeds, water, and viola! I would water as needed so the soil is damp but not soaking wet. Let me note, the squirrels did take one of the eggshell pots realizing there were seeds in there. So I added one more layer of protection by putting the cartons into a screen cage I have for raising butterflies. That allows the plants to grow and the critters, no matter how cute, to stay out of my seedlings! For my sunflowers, germination was pretty quick - perhaps a few hot sunny days and the first hints of the baby plant emerging could be seen. At this point, the seedlings are growing nicely and once I feel they are ready for transplanting, the entire eggshell cup can be planted. No waste here as I will compost the egg carton and the shells go in the ground with the plants! If you notice, I did plant several seeds per cup. I might separate them when I put them into their final growing spot and next year just do one seed per eggshell pot. Some Links to Using Eggshells in Gardening
Gardenista - Gardening 101: How to Use Eggshells in the Garden www.gardenista.com/posts/diy-5-ideas-to-use-eggshells-in-the-garden-pest-control-mulch-fertilizer/ Natural Living Ideas: 6 Convincing Reasons You Should Start Using Eggshells In Your Garden http://www.naturallivingideas.com/eggshell-uses-in-the-garden/ From a Birder and Nature Lover's Point of ViewThe first thing to do is step up on the viewing platform that overlooks part of the Charles Wheeler Salt Marsh. Off to the right is a set of Purple Martin nesting gourds which has seen success attracting Purple Martins. Purple Martins are dependent on these man made structures to raise their young and, again this year, it was very apparent from the clatter of clicks and calls that these birds were having another good breeding season. Yesterday, in one of the larger shrubs behind the platform, I noticed two Martins preening themselves. One, a beautifully iridescent male, was accompanied by a female. They didn't seem too upset with the close proximity - less than 20 feet away. I watched them for a while studying them while taking several photos. From the platform, one can scan the area for ducks, herons, and swallows. In the distance, an Osprey nesting platform stands. One can access a nest cam that provides an intimate look into the lives of these fish-eating birds (https://milfordpoint-ospreycam.click2stream.com/) Behind the Center building, there are trees with a small garden and feeders. Robins, Goldfinches, and Sparrows can be seen. Across the street is a boardwalk and viewing platform that one can look out over the barrier beach that borders Long Island Sound. The water on the right side of the sandy beach is surrounded by tall grasses. One my trip yesterday, the loud clacking of a Clapper Rail was heard although the bird never presented itself. Saltmarsh, Song and Nelson's Sparrows have been seen here as well as Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds. When the water level is lower, and the muddy sides exposed, one can find Snowy and Great Egrets, Great Blue and Night Herons, and a variety of smaller shore birds like Sandpipers and Plovers. Along the barrier beach during summer, large areas are fenced off to protect nesting Piping Plovers. During my visit on June 26, several clutches of chicks accompanied by their parents were seen. I had not gone out to see the very young "cotton balls on sticks" as my friend Monica likes to describe them. At this point, the chicks had grown quite a bit from the walking cottonballs to youngsters that were eagerly exploring their surroundings under the watchful eyes of their parents. It is vital that care is taken to keep one's distance. While walking this area, it is imperative to keep alert to the behaviors of the birds. At several points on this one day, it was clear young birds were in closer proximity perhaps having strolled outside the fenced areas. Parent birds would call and cut us off as if to lead us away from their young. Noticing the behaviors, we widened our berth around the fenced areas in respect of the birds and it is advisable for anyone visiting to be aware that these birds are sensitive to our presence as possible threats to their chicks. The far end fenced area usually yields a nesting colony of Least Terns. One can observe mating behaviors as males will bring fish hoping to entice a female. Eggs are laid in shallow depressions above the high tide line, much like the Piping Plovers do. In previous years, Oystercatchers have also utilized this area to raise their young. The water of Long Island Sound provides plenty of food. Fishermen sometimes visit to cast out. Ospreys and terns hunt here. One can also find several species of gulls like Ring-billed, Herring, and Great Black Backed Gulls. It is fun to observe Herring Gulls taking slipper shells, flying up into the air and dropping them as they wish to crack them open so they could feed on the tasty meat inside. One never knows what might be seen. A west coast Wilson's Plover was seen here during early spring, although I personally did not go out to see it. However, my June 27, 2018, visit yielded quite a surprise for me and my birding friend, Monica. As we were walking back along the ocean side, I turned and noticed something different flying in our direction. Two birds, obviously terns, were heading in at several feet above the water's surface towards the beach. Since I love to photograph birds in flight, and noting the rather noticeable large size of these terns, I hoped to capture a few photos of them. My friend and I both aimed our lenses in their direction as they moved passed us. I immediately realized these were not the usual common or least terns. The size of these two birds was much larger. As it turned out, I immediately knew we had something different and the field guide suggested Royals Terns and confirmation from some other well versed birders confirmed! These terns are rare for the area so we were excited to report this find! In summation, there is always something to see no matter what season. Winter brings in a variety of shore birds from Sanderlings to Sandpipers. Brant will fill the waterways on either side of the barrier beach. Ducks and other waders as are horned larks and maybe even snow buntings are all possible. Spring and fall may bring in Saltmarsh, Seaside, and Nelson's Sparrows as well as a few species of plovers. And summer is prime for terns (especially least terns) and of course, the Piping Plovers. I have also come across, killdeer, willets, and several species of gulls. When visiting in late spring and summer, I cannot stress enough to be respectful of sharing the space with the nesting plovers and terns. Both of these species hold a status of threatened in Connecticut and are in need of us to keep our distance. Please watch as you walk and be aware of bird behaviors. Terns will dive bomb if someone is too close and the plovers will try to lead one away. We saw the plovers doing just that and to respect them we walked even further away from the enclosed nesting areas to give them their space. For bird photographers, we all want those great close ups. However, some need to be reminded that no photo is worth causing harm to the animals we are watching and creating images of. Stress for the birds is taxing. They use energy they cannot spare and should not have to. Engage in using long lenses and proper wildlife photography ethics. As I find, I might not be able to be as close but the behaviors one can observe are authentic and only between the birds and not with me. In my next segment, I will focus on some of the fauna one can find here. With spring upon us finally, I was inspired to write this entry on account of the wonderful chance encounters myself and other birding friends have been sharing. This one is special to me and I was reminded of it over the past week when one member of this bird species made an appearance in my yard. Here, I share a recap of that encounter. Making my way slowly down the Willards Island Trail at Hammonasset State Park in Madison, Connecticut, camera in hand and me dressed in a camo jacket, I listened to the various critters going about life. It was an overcast slightly chilly day in October, and that wasn't stopping the fun. The trail was colored with hues of yellows broken up here and there by the greens of cedar trees. A robin chirped. Several Yellow-rumped Warblers fed on wild berries. An Eastern Phoebe flitted from one side of the trail to the other catching insects on the wing. Once I reached the end of the trail where it would loop back to the main trail, I looked out upon the marsh. Waterways had herons and egrets fishing. Gulls flew about adding to the company of the long legged waders. Once I had enough, I continued around the bend to begin my way back to the main trail.
This was a larger bird indeed with that same reddish brown color. Not expecting it to come out from the safety of the brush, I waited patiently. It did indeed come closer to the edge of the shrub line. Still somewhat obscured by the leaves and branches, I could see the longer bill, spotted white breast, and overall size making it a dead giveaway as to who was now in front of me. Ever elusive as I have encountered in the past, the Brown Thrasher was a lovely sight to see. It's beautiful colors seemed to pop against the pale yellows and greens of the fall leaves. What was even nicer was the fact that this bird didn't seem to care about my presence. Lifting my camera slowly, I focused and snapped off several frames trying to avoid the "evil stick people" from blocking my framing of of this bird. What surprised me even more was when the bird moved completely out of the brush and into full view I marveled at the intricate pattern of spots and the attentive eyes. My heart pounded for I had never been so close to a member of this species. I almost had to take a step back to maintain good focus and the encounter lasted nearly fifteen minutes with the bird eyeing me from his chosen resting place. To say he was handsome was truly an understatement. And still I was amazed he didn't seem to care I was right there in full view. He was not at all skittish as I expected. Being able to fully study and photograph this bird was a true privilege. It wasn't until another bird photographer was heard rounding the trail loop towards my position that the thrasher moved off into the protection of the thick underbrush. Inwardly, I thanked the bird for this fantastic encounter. I left there feeling truly blessed to see this bird in such close proximity. He made all the decisions. I didn't need to chase him down or move in closer. The bird did that himself. It was a moment of joy and, in reflection, why I am happy for the photos I now have as they captured a very special moment - an authentic moment - that I can cherish forever. Sometimes it is best to be patient and wait and let the critters decide on how the encounter will go. Mom came home from work with some really exciting news. One of her coworkers, a letter carrier for our local Post Office, was on his run and learned of an owl pair nesting in a tree bordering the street he traveled on his daily rounds. Having spoken with the owners of the home nearby, he learned the nest belonged to a Great Horned Owl couple that moved in and set up housekeeping. He shared the information with my mother who in turn shared it with me knowing what a huge lover of nature I was for any time I could, I'd photograph what I saw and my mother loved to bring my prints to work to share with her colleagues. I remember the first time I was able to see those birds, my first looks at a species of owl, through my old Bushmaster spotting scope and I took a few photos using my only zoom lens - a 75-300mm on a Minolta SLR camera (yes, the days of film when I didn't know a darn thing about wildlife photography). Over the next few weeks, I would stop off on my way to work to see how the Owl family was doing. I marveled at how fast the youngsters grew, and even though my photography skills were less than stellar, I have photos I can look back on and still feel a warm sensation even now many years later in having this opportunity to see these incredible birds in the wild. I wasn't the only one - there were times I'd stop off and a few other folks were there sharing the opportunity. The birds were our town's feathered celebrities. Then, the time came when the two babies fledged and joined the wild world they were born into - to carry on as new members of their species. Sadly, the land they were nesting on was up for sale. This beautiful wooded parcel was slotted to be cleared and built upon. After having such an opportunity to see these birds, I wrote a letter to the editor of our local town newspaper heartbroken that these incredible birds were soon to be displaced. Thank you, Jeri, for tagging me on Facebook today with a link to a New York Times article called "The Delicate Politics of Owling". It is a rather thought provoking article that had me reflecting on who I am as a wildlife enthusiast and bird watcher and considering the delicate dilemma owls and other species are in when it comes to us humans who want to see them. Here is my take on it. After the Great Horned Owls of Damascus Road, I didn't see another wild owl again until many years later. I did have the pleasure of attending a program at UConn with our local land trust organizing the field trip. I learned a great deal about different raptors and owls in particular. However, it was the watching of a young barn owl walking around on the table stretching his wings and legs that will forever be in my heart. Owls are just totally amazing creatures - with their incredible eye sight to their hearing. They are built for silent flight with specially developed feathers and a facial disc that helps funnel sound into their ears (which I might add are in different positions on the head - they are not right across from each other as one might expect). I have been thankful and appreciate the chance to see some of these amazing birds who through no fault of their own ended up injured and then trained to serve as educational ambassadors. I have been able to see some owls up close during a couple Hawk Migration festivals I attended locally, including species not native to North America. Such programs allow us the chance to get very close to them, to look at their features in intimate detail, to marvel at what makes them so amazing to begin with, to learn about some different species, and in some cases, to learn what we can do as stewards of Planet Earth to protect these animals. And while these opportunities to be close to owls is wonderful - to do so in a controlled environment and with the expertise of professional wildlife people - there really is nothing more amazing than seeing them in the wild - where they belong - doing their thing. And this is where there is such a dilemma on how we as birders deal with owls. I remember in 2012 when a large irruption of Snowy Owls created quite an event as these Arctic visitors seemed to be everywhere - sometimes multiple birds in certain locations. People from all over wanted to see them, including myself. I was given a very special opportunity when a fellow birder invited me to a spot where Snowy Owls were being seen. She was gracious to share this location with me and we did have the opportunity to see a wild Snowy resting on a rocky jetty. I admit it was incredibly hard to contain my excitement. Not only was this a new bird to check off my sightings list, I don't just take it at that. I was in the presence of another truly majestic creation of Nature. This owl, possibly a young female, was taking it easy after a long trek from the Arctic. We didn't chase it or harass it so we could get those ever desirable flight shots - we shared time with it doing as it wished of its own accord. We spent some time taking photos using long lenses and then left it as we found it - unmolested and going about life without it needing to expend any additional energy. And I swore that day if I never saw another wild Snowy again, it was totally alright with me. These birds travel a long distance and many arrive in poor condition and need to rest and feed without our interference. Sadly this year, a Snowy lost its life because people didn't treat it with respect. In other situations, birds were harassed by hoards of people wanting to photograph it that they ended up injured or in need of care. Jeri told me of a situation she observed where someone found a Snowy in Rhode Island and when it flew, the person hopped into his truck to chase it down. There have been other similar situations because people just cannot in some instances control themselves. Some photographers want those illustrious flight shots or close ups and forget about the welfare of the animal. Some just do not know how best to act in the field and need to be taught good ethics. Failing to do so ruins the ability of others to share these birds and worse of all that kind of behavior jeopardizes the health and well being of the animal. This is completely and utterly unacceptable. Another time, the presence of a pair of Barn Owls was shared and I was able to again take a drive with Sophie Zyla, wildlife photographer and birding friend, to go see them doing their thing in the wild. We spent some time watching one circle a large meadow looking for small rodents. And sure enough, it caught one. Had we not learned of this, we wouldn't have been able to see them. Again, it was an amazing thrill to see wild owls doing life as we watched without interfering. The few slightly out of focus images I got are still very memorable to me because they capture moments of this bird's life without me having in any way molested it. The behaviors are totally authentic and not set up. When Jeri and I were out exploring an area for birds, we traveled a trail where in the distance a group of women were 'staking out' a horned owl nest. They were lounging on lawn chairs and talking rather loudly considering how close to the tree they were to the tree the birds were in. Jeri and I were terribly alarmed with it - frankly, disgusted - because these people were causing the parent bird to feel stressed and the other adult who most likely was off hunting probably felt it unsafe to return - therefore, the offspring were not going to be fed. I took some photos of the birds from behind a large tree trunk trying to hide myself. However, I could see it was not a good situation. We made our visit very short and left muttering to each other about how bad it was. I likened these people to paparazzi staking out a celebrity's home waiting for those special opportunities to take some photographs. In reflection, I am less upset with the ladies as I am with myself - I said nothing to them. Maybe they were not doing this to purposely cause harm. Maybe they didn't realize their close proximity was upsetting the adult birds. Maybe they didn't care. However, I walked away not saying anything. I was just as guilty due to my silence and fear for what they might say back to me since I didn't know any of them. I could have put on my educator's hat and told them they were too close. Maybe the next time I see this, I won't be silent. As one with a desire to share this love of nature and to teach what I have learned, it is an uphill battle with so many who are completely disconnected with nature. As I agree with the article, we live in times when our current leadership has absolutely no respect for nature. Kids seem more interested being inside playing video games instead of being outside communing with nature. Going outside to "bird" is as one child told me "is the stupidest thing ever". And when there is a child who feels the same excitement I do when in the presence of other creatures, they seem fewer and farther between. I cannot help but wonder if we need more education in respecting nature to balance out everything else including the general apathy towards nature as we see today. I read a book "Last Child in the Woods" about Nature Deficit Disorder, and it to me is true and runs rampant in our society. And what of those who say they care about nature but suffer from wanting immediate gratification at any expense to see a particular bird to tick off a list or get a photo of? Stories of birds being chased or baited to get flight shots without thinking about the harms that can occur to the animal as a result. I have done my best, and at times made mistakes, in trying to photograph any animal in their natural habitat engaging in completely natural behaviors without my influence or interference. I try not to get too close or cause any expending of energy these animals desperately need to conserve. Some birders hesitate to share locations of owls with anyone due to a deep desire to protect the birds. Yet, there are also those who hold out on revealing locations but have no issue sharing their photos online or elsewhere almost like a trophy or "ha ha look what I saw" kind of thing. I myself feel bad because I feel am one of the good guys who would go and not deliberately cause harm to the birds. I would go to commune with them, observe them and capture images to later tell a story. I myself have seen a "professional photographer" feel he was entitled to get in close to a flock of birds thereby resulting in them fleeing the area completely. But, he got his wonderful flight shots that got all kinds of accolades. If only he bothered to be upfront with the means by which he got his shots. I could have tattled on him and blown him up for the fraud he was. So, I am truly on the fence on what exactly is the right answer to the question of sharing locations of owls. The article offers several views to consider which really makes one think on how do we as a community carry forth. What do we do to protect wildlife and wild places for the future? We absolutely must educate on how best to interact while observing wildlife and we must do everything possible to protect them and the places they live. Everyone who goes out to observe or photograph any wild animal must take on the responsibility of doing so ethically. These shared times are about the animals - not our selfish needs to get photos or another tick on a life list. If you don't get your shot this time, try again another time. I think that is what keeps me going out to do better or to capture something new another time. It's not about the list but about the story of the encounter. No one has a right to infringe or harm just because they feel they can. So, do we share the locations of these beautiful creatures? Is education enough or should we all refrain from participating on list servs that give out real time information to hoards of people we don't know? Do we only share with our trusted "friends" and thereby create an atmosphere that we "own" a bird or other animal, as the article implies? I do not know what is truly the right answer to this question. I know for myself I deeply cherish the opportunities I am allowed to see wild animals in their own habitats doing their own thing and it does hurt if only some are allowed to see them and others not, unless those others just refuse to do so in the right way. How do we weed out the "bad apples" who continue to break the "rules"? There are indeed those that just don't care to abide by birding ethics or to educate themselves as to the animals they are seeking to observe or photograph, or who do whatever possible to get particular kinds of photos. And there are those that could absolutely care less about anything nature has to offer. In their opinion, they see no value in the trees, birds, and other creatures. These things are in the way of progress. However, our wildlife needs us to speak up for them and it seems there are fewer and fewer people today who genuinely care. Wild things need us to take greater responsibility for their well-being and continued survival. As someone in the education field, who has used my photos to educate, and seeing time and time again tracts of land being taken away from wildlife, the air and water poisoned, and even the unfettered need of some to kill for the sake of killing, I tend to lean towards the sentiment that even with owls - we need to find a way to educate people to at least find it within to care enough to protect them. Maybe every person has to decide for themselves on what is right as long as it keeps the welfare of the animals in mind. Education of a broad scale will mean a lot of work - it is definitely going to take a lot of careful thought. But, how else do we get folks to understand and care if we don't share? If we cannot, then perhaps it should mean stopping list servs and online photo sharing of any and all delicate species. Some online groups are doing just that. And that in and of itself seems like a tragedy and counterproductive to the desired need of having people actually develop a caring for all creatures. Isn't getting more people on board to wanting to save our wildlife vital to their survival, and ours? I always have the late Steve Irwin's message in the back of my mind all the time. He said, “If we can teach people about wildlife, they will be touched. Share my wildlife with me. Because humans want to save things that they love.” I hope we as a community - as part of the circle of life - can find a way to be able to educate all in appropriate ways how to properly to observe and enjoy, and most importantly, work to save these and all our magnificent wild things. We need to learn that it isn't about the selfish needs of humans - but that we are part of something much bigger - much broader - the circle of life. We are part of an immense interconnection and we are for the most part the cause of so much tragedy that we must be the ones to correct it and embrace the idea that we share this planet - we do not dominate it and the inhabitants that are beneath us. It is a small and arrogant attitude to have. We own this planet in that we should be stewards of it and we must own our actions now and into the future. New York Times Article The Delicate Politics of Owling Winter arrives. The weather predictions forecast a historic monster "bomb cyclone" is soon to arrive. Original snow totals change for our area from 1-3 inches to 6-12 inches and more with drifting due to the blustering winds that will also arrive. Planning ahead, I take myself to the grocery store to stock up on essentials. There are few parking spots left and no carriages inside the store. Good thing I grabbed one left in the lot! Afterward, my mother and I make sure the battery powered radio and flashlights and extra blankets are on hand should the power go out. Then, the time comes to hunker down and ride out the heavy snowfall. While we are safe and warm inside the house, we watch the birds in large numbers feeding on what they can from the feeding stations. One might ask what can be done when snow makes it difficult for our feathered friends to find food. While we feed the birds every day, when a storm is to arrive, we always offer some extra food so the birds can really fill up ahead of time. Storm day arrives and I would have expected many of the birds go find shelter and hunker down. But, no. The adventurous ones still came out and in fairly good numbers too. So, what to do when the snow is falling at a 1-3 inch per hour clip? Jim Zipp, owner of The Fat Robin in Hamden, Connecticut, suggested keeping feeders full as birds who normally feed on the ground might try to get food from feeders instead. We definitely followed his advice here, as well as making sure the suet feeders were loaded. Black oil sunflower, a quality mixed seed, suet, nyjer seed and cracked corn were all offered. If evergreen trees are nearby, food can be scattered underneath periodically. My friends Jeri Duefrene and Laura Rock Smith also filled their feeders to keep the birds fed through the storm. Jeri even offered mixed seed under some pines and the song and white-throated sparrows were quite happy. I don't know what it is, but when snow falls, the cardinals seem to appear so much more beautiful - especially the more overlooked females. Below, an unusually vibrant female takes a quick look before heading to the sunflower feeder. And one of the resident Red-shouldered Hawks decided to see what he might take advantage of. Mourning doves were in large numbers and he did try to nab one unsuccessfully before the wild turkeys decided to chase him off. After the storm, schools were still closed and I enjoyed watching the birds and other animals yet again. Extra seed was offered and several handfuls of peanuts were tossed out for the blue jays and squirrels. Two deer in their thick winter coats decided to meander through nibbling on the brush in the back yard. Had I thought of it sooner, I should have picked up a bag of deer food. When the hard weather hits, don't forget the birds and critters. We have the luxury of grocery stores to stock up our pantries with but birds sometimes could benefit from our offerings. Below are some helpful links regarding birds and winter. Gimme Shelter: How Do Birds Survive A Snow Storm?www.audubon.org/news/gimme-shelter-how-do-birds-survive-snow-storm
The Spruce: Feeding Birds in Winter - Tips and Trickshttps://www.thespruce.com/winter-bird-feeding-tips-386586 Wild Birds Unlimited - Winter https://www.wbu.com/seasonally-savvy/winter/ |
Powered by GreetingCardUniverse.com AuthorI am an artist and amateur photographer with a deep love of nature. I love horses and whales most of all, am knee deep in the model horse hobby as a painting/customizing artist, budding greeting card designer, and love watching crime drama shows as well as nature and science documentaries. Archives
December 2021
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