A Morning Birding and Photographing at Daniel Webster Sanctuary

The view from the afternoon blind across the pond, looking toward the morning blind

Finally, this Thursday my friend Doug and I finally have gotten out again to go birding.  Because Doug's back is still not completely well,  we went down to Daniel Webster Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield, where we could observe the birds, utilizing the blinds.  Arriving at the sanctuary, there was a lot of activity around the parking lot, including a number of bluebirds.

After settling down in the morning blind, the activity was slow with a group of mallards in the water in front of us, feeding.  The two best birds at that we saw was a Solitary Sandpiper and a pair of Glossy Ibis.  It was an enjoyable just watching the activity occurring in front of us.

Glossy Ibis preening

Glossy Ibis catching its food

Glossy Ibis looking for food

Solitary Sandpiper

We decided to go around to the afternoon blind to see if there was anything else occurring at that area.  What surprised us, when we reached the blind, was the real low level of the water at that end of the pond.  Bird activity was slow, except for a group of mallards, which were preening and did give a wing flap.

Mallard with the wing flap

Walking back to the parking lot.  We did come across a Cedar Waxwing and a Savannah Sparrow.  Along the fence and Eastern chipmunk was going to with stand with his cheek pockets filled with seeds that it took from the bird feeders.

Eastern Phoebe

Savannah Sparrow

Cedar waxwing

Eastern chipmunk with its cheeks full

In total we identified 33 different species of birds, in the few hours that we were there at the sanctuary.

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Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men

Queen Anne's Lace

As I stated in my last blog, my plan today was to travel back to Daniel Webster and photograph the plants and spider webs covered with dew.  However, the weather forecasters were wrong and we did not get any fog, although my car was covered with moisture.  I arrived at Daniel Webster earlier than yesterday and the majority of plants and spider webs were dry with no dew on them.  I did some macro photography, since that was the equipment that I brought down to the area with me.  I did find a scorpion fly, so-called name because it's rear abdomen, is curled up like scorpions.  However, this insect is harmless and there of 54 species recognized in North America, all of which are located in the East.  The scorpion flies belong to the genius Panorpa.

Scorpion Fly

I stopped at the morning blind, saw the little blue Heron again and talk to my friend Dan.  I went back to the car, picked up my long lens and converters and went down to the afternoon blind.  The afternoon blind is named, because the light is better in the afternoon.  The one problem that I noticed with the afternoon blind.  That is great for bird watching, but on the right front side of the blind, the vegetation is very high, and it is hard to get a clean photograph.  The left front side is more open.  I watched the Glossy Ibis move from the right side, to the middle, and then right in front of us, but hidden by vegetation.  The Ibis finally moved into a clear shaded area on the right side and allowed the opportunity for photographs.

Glossy Ibis

 A flight of Canada geese came over, and one of the photos that I took I named "Bombs Away", for the reason you will see when you look at the picture.

"Bombs Away."

 A couple of Canada geese put on a great show cleaning themselves.  They with duck their head into the water, then bring the had up up and sprayed water all over themselves.  When they finally finished, the Canada geese gave great wing flaps.  I knew they were going to do that from watching ducks and geese bathing, so I was prepared and able to obtain the photographs.

Canada Goose Bathing Sequence

Canada Goose Bathing Sequence

Canada Goose Bathing Sequence

Canada Goose Bathing Sequence

Canada Goose Bathing Sequence

Canada Goose Bathing Sequence

I will have to watch the weather report again, and when there is fog forecast I will check in the morning before I leave, because I really want those pictures of the flowers and spider webs back lit by the sun and covered with the morning dew.

So everybody keep on photographing and joy the natural world around us

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A Morning at Daniel Webster Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary

Yellow Warbler with Inchworm

As I mentioned in my last blog, I went out photographing and traveled down to Daniel Webster Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary.  When we left the house, there was cloudy and a little windy and, when we arrived at the sanctuary, it was drizzling, windy, and the temperatures were in the low 40s.  During the morning intermittently it cleared up on an off.  The main problem most of the time was the birds would just flying back and forth and not landing anywhere for decent photos.  We were set up in the morning blind.  However, by waiting long enough a few birds did honor us by coming in and letting us take their picture.

Yellow warblers were flitting back and forth and landing in the bushes capturing inchworm caterpillars.

Yellow Warbler with Inchworm

Tree swallows were flitting back and forth in one landed in front of us, and was preening.

Tree Swallow Preening

A Spotted Sandpiper made its appearance flying from rock to rock.

Spotted Sandpiper

Spotted Sandpiper in Flight

Normally, the logs a loaded with painted turtles sunning themselves, but today only one made its appearance.

Painted Turtle Climbing the Log

Walking back to the car, a male bobolink was on the top of the grasses seeing in its boisterous song.  I took this picture at eye level with the bobolink.

Bobolink Singing

Although there was not a lot of different photo opportunities, we made the best of what was there.  Other people joined us and the blind and we had good discussions about birding, photography, equipment's, so all in all, it was a good morning

Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)

Muskrat feeding in Jenney Pond

When you visit wetlands along rivers, lakes and ponds one of the interesting creatures that you may see is the muskrat. Muskrats are a medium-sized semi-aquatic rodent that is native to North America. It also has been introduced into parts of Europe, Asia and South America. Muskrats play a very important role in the ecology of wetlands. The eat almost any aquatic vegetation as well as some field crops that are adjacent to suitable habitat. Preferred natural foods include cattails, pickle weed, bulrush, smart weed, duck potato, horsetail, waterlily and other aquatic plants. Normally, when they see a person they will swim away or dive under the water. I have found when the muskrat is actively eating that it will give you a better chance to watch and photograph. They will use their claws like hands to put the vegetation into the mouth which they eat with their strong rodent teeth.

Muskrat feeding Daniel Webster Audubon Sanctuary

Muskrat feeding Daniel Webster Audubon Sanctuary

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