Wordless Wednesday - Turkey Vulture, North Cape May

Birding Cox Hall Creek WMA

This morning I went birding with a friend at Cox Hall Creek WMA.  We traversed the fields seeing about 30 species of birds.  His goal bird was a Red-headed Woodpeckers which we didn't to see.  We saw all kinds of Sparrows - Field (lifer),  Savannah (lifer),  Chipping, White-throated,

   Savannah Sparrow (left)

Eastern Bluebird (right)

RIP Tommy K

My girlfriend Cindy's only child was tragically killed coming home from work on Friday night.  This is devastating to  many who knew him including his wife, Lauren and his parents, Tom and Cindy.  He had so many friends. Tommy was a surfer so today his surfing buddies and community of friends came together to honor Tommy's memory on 101st Street Beach where he learned to surf as a youngster with a Paddle Out Circle of Friends ceremony.  The whole experience was so moving, so beautiful  and so sad at the same time.  There were probably about 75 surfers who honored him along with another 100 people on the beach.

 

Stone Harbor Point Jetty

    I was able to over today to Stone Harbor Point after work and walked out to the jetty. In the water I saw Brant, Common Eider, Black Scoter while along the beach feeding were Sanderling and Dunlin.  Up on the rocks were American Oystercatcher, Dunlin,  Ruddy Turnstone  and several species of gulls.  Tide was out and I walked out the jetty but as with all jetties you must be careful as the moss on the rocks makes them very slippery.  Proper footwear is always a good idea to prevent any falls.

Birding in Courthouse

It was so cool today to see if the Western Tanager would show up. This bird is a rare visitor to our area. He's been staying around the same place for the past month. He follows the Woodpeckers. First, they drill the holes into the trees with their beaks and this causes the sap of the trees to run. Then along comes the Western Tanager to drink the sap. Today I was lucky enough to see both birds with nice long looks at both of them. While waiting for the Tanager to make an appearance I saw Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Red-breasted Nuthatches, White-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creepers, Tufted Titmouse and Carolina Chickadees among the birds.  It was great morning of birding. Here are looks at both the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and the Western Tanager.

Red-throated Loon - Nummy Island

I was out birding today looking for birds along Nummy Island.  There was a group of Red-throated Loons just at the end of the bridge where I could sit and enjoy looking at them.  The weather was warm and the looks were great.  Sadly, one of the Loons has something hanging down from his chin area.

I sent off the picture to a naturalist who believes this to be a hook from a fisherman.  That makes sense as I often see people fishing from the rocks where I was sitting.  He also said that usually the bird in question will die as it won't be able to eat.  How sad for the loon.  Sure wish something could be done.

Happy New Year

I had thought that I might go out birding on New Year's Day with a group from the CMBO but the winds are blowing at 35+ MPH and the temperatures are in the high 20's so I decided I'd wait for my first birding trip of the year. Sad to say but I am a more fair weather birder.
I love to watch the Rose Bowl Parade so I relaxed while doing that.  The floats are just so incredible.
I went out to check my Eastern Black Swallowtail caterpillars and they are still hanging on to the dill.
Then I spent the rest of the day putting a quilt top together.  When I was going through some of my stash I found 15 Churn Dash blocks I'd made years ago.  I decided on a layout for 12 blocks, pieced them together and added a scrappy border.   Just the right size quilt for Wrap-A-Smile.

Sunrise on a new year - 2013