Barney's Joy and a "Sunrise Shorebird Shoot (with your camera!)"

Today I returned to Allens Pond joining Josie and one of the wildlife interns Kourtney for a visit to Barney's Joy.  The private beach at Barney's Joy is one of the sites that are monitored by the shorebird monitoring program.  Least terns are the the main endangered bird that is encountered out at Barney's Joy.  Just before we went to Barney's Joy, we went down to the beach loop at Allens Pond where Josie showed Kourtney the new piping plover nest that we found yesterday.

Josie and Kourtney

area of the nest

Compared to yesterday, the weather was overcast and there was intermittent slight drizzle, plus the winds were blowing out of the north northwest.  The temperature with the wind chill was probably in the 40s.

The majority of the least terns were huddled in the leeward side, but at times the terns were being blasted by the wind blown sand.  This gave the appearance of rain/snow.

Least Terns

Least tern being blasted by the wind-blown sand

Besides the least terns, a willet and oystercatcher flew by and there was one piping plover running around foraging.  The piping plover probably came from the nest that is located on the opposite side of the channel.

Piping Plover

 To celebrate the beginning of the summer, join me for a "Sunrise Shorebird Shoot (with your camera!)"  Sponsored by Allens Pond, Sat, Jun 21, 2014 5:30 am - 12:00 pm.  We will meet at the field station, and then travel out to Gooseberry to begin photographing.  Recommended, a long lens of at least 300 mm plus a tele-converter and a tripod.  Be prepared to get wet and dirty, because the best pictures are obtained by shooting at the level of the shorebirds.  I recommend knee-pads to protect your knees from the rocks.  I would bring non-DEET bug spray and sunscreen along with water and a snack.  After we finished at Gooseberry, we will returned to Allens Pond and photograph on the beach loop.  We will finish up with lunch and a review of the morning activities. You can sign up at http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/program-catalog#program:sanctuary=25:program_code=34448
Cost is $20 for members and $24 for non-members

Gulls and Feeding Frenzy

First year herring gulls picking at a bag

As I previously posted on the 17th I photographed Allens Pond Duck Derby and on the 18th I photographed the Duck Derby Festivities including a 5K race, a kids obstacle course and the annual festivities with music and the barbecue.  Anyway, on the 17th while relaxing in between setting up for the race and then getting the ducks ready to race, I noticed across the water on the sand bar some gulls nibbling at something trying to get food.  So I decided to pick up my tripod in lens waded into the water and started photographing.  The gulls were trying to get into a bag, which apparently had some food in it.  Two women who were walking went over to the bag, open the dumped out the food, and then remove the bag, so would would not remain and spoil the sandbar.  Then the fun began.  The gulls started to gather and fly in and scream at one another, trying to keep other gulls away from the food.  It was interesting, the younger immature gulls were more aggressive than the adults.  A ring-bill gull was trying to get some of the food, but the larger gulls chasing it away.  So remember when you are out photographing, keep your eyes open because you may find something else interesting happening.

First year herring gull

Ring-billed gull feeding

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Gulls feeding

Arguing over food and the ring-billed gull left out

Incoming