Random Sightings at or near Allens Pond Sanctuary

Today's blog is a collection of recent photographs that I obtained in the last week and I am posting them for your enjoyment.
All these photographs were taken at Allens Pond Massachusetts Audubon sanctuary, utilizing my Nikon D800, Nikkor 500 mm f/4, 1.4 tele converter, on a tripod with a Jobu gimbal head.
Male Bobolink on top of a bush, who would not allow a close approach.

Least Terns on the beach loop.  They are behind the protected area that is roped off because of the nesting piping plovers.  When we first approached the area and were well away from the rope we still were attacked by the female least tern, but as we stopped moving, got lower down, she finally went back and landed on the sand.  We continue to watch the tern and photograph her.  We then noticed another tern flying in with a fish in its mouth.  That tern circled us a couple times and then flew to the other tern, who was calling.  The male tern came in for a landing (the picture), and proceeded to give the fish to the female.

3 years ago, on numerous times out photographing the Piping Plovers that breed on the beach, there was a pair located at the beginning of the beach loop way up from where the plovers, usually nest.  I had spoken to leave staff at the sanctuary about this, sand that I bet they are going to nest and breed in the area.  Yes, they did breed, and the area was cordoned off to protect the nest from humans.  The first and 2nd year the plover pair produced four young each year.  This year, the same event occurred with another four chicks hatching, the day before this picture was taken.  Here is one of the chicks and one of the adults.

This picture of the adult Piping Plover was taken 2 days previously, as it was running around the beach, feeding.

Yellow Warblers were flitting around in the foliage along the beach loop trail.  I was able to capture this Yellow Warbler, just as it took off from the branch where it was singing.

In the same area, American Goldfinches also would make their presence known.

Along the road, by the culvert, Willits were flying back and forth, perching on posts and then down into the marsh grass to feed.

Saturday, at the grand opening of the sanctuaries, newly renovated stone barn, I had a discussion with Norman Buck a boat a bird that I do have a my life list, but I do not have any photographs of.  Since the end of April, he has had around his property a male Dickcissel, which apparently has not bred in the state for 150 years.  He invited me to visit his house, which I did and was able to obtain some nice photographs of the Dickcissel.  In fact, the bird allowed me to approach somewhat close to it, and it sat in the tree and sang for at least 10 minutes. before it flew back across the field to the other location where it hangs out.

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