Fort Smallwood
Today was a mini-field trip day as luck would have it, yesterday my back went out when I was throwing salt on the driveway to prevent ice. One of these days I’ll be back to normal. But in the meantime, I’m not complaining too much as it gives me an opportunity to slow down and go birding in a local park.
I headed over to Fort Smallwood Park and the Battery Hartshorne stood white and stark against the foggy morning across the bay’s waters.
It has finally sunk in that a Battery is a structure that held canons on top of the building with a berm for protection. The second word is a person the battery is named after. Oh duh, now I get it !
Walking to the water’s edge I was greeted by this beautiful Gadwall. A first sighting of this duck for me. I love the delicate coloring along his back.
Gadwall
I was fortunate to have the pleasure of visiting with the White-Wing Crossbills again. They are rare for these parts in the winter as they rarely come this far south. I wonder why mother nature decided to shape their bills they way they are.
White-Wing Crossbill
I learned a new word recently when it comes to bird watching. Someone was talking about looking at a raft of ducks, and I thought they meant an actual raft. You know, one made of wood that floats in the water. Well, that is not what they meant. A raft is a visual grouping of ducks on the water, like this one. Silly me…..
A Raft of Ducks
While I was watching this so-called “raft” this ring-billed gull landed close by to pose for his portrait.
Ring Bill Sea Gull
I enjoyed the scenery of the frozen water with pilings from long ago.
Almost home from my short excursion, I must confess that I suffer from birding AD&D. I’m constantly searching the trees for hawks and such. Couldn’t believe my eyes as I managed to catch these two Red-Shoulder Hawks canoodling in a tree.
Red Shoulder Hawks
It turned out to be a wonderful morning for a ‘sick day.’ Hopefully tomorrow my back will be better so I can get back to playing with the ponies. Don’t forget – look up! You may never know what you may see. Bella
Categories: 2013 Project 365, Birds, Foot Prints, Nature
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
What a wonderful collection! I am also one who constantly scans for birds, and my son has a great eye, too, so it allows me to mostly keep my eyes on the road! Hope your back feels better soon
Aren’t you the lucky one then? You have a birding scout in the car with you. I tell you, I think I’m getting dangerous on the road. Need to stop looking for hawks! Thank you so much, for the well wishes.
Sorry to read about your back, so happy at this moment not to be dealing with ice – there was a lot of it in Maine. Hope you recover quickly.
Bella these shots are fantastic love your close-ups of the red-tail hawks, wow they are huge! We’re lucky to have a pond across the street and one directly behind our property – makes for some neat sightings.
Somehow I hadn’t realized you are in Maine, or did I just forget that conversation. That’s fantastic you have resident hawks and get to enjoy them on a regular basis. Mine disappeared and have no idea where they went.
Hi, I used to live in Maine throughout the 90’s and truly loved our time there.
We’ve been in TX since and have adjusted to the heat and tornado’s, although we still miss the snow and ice. We see red-tail Hawks around here quite a bit.
A raft of ducks, I’ll keep that in mind. And the hawk, hmm.. Yes, I agree, always look up. I saw at least a dozen white bald eagles on our way to Seattle this weekend. Couldn’t take a picture coz the car was moving fast. Hope you are on the mend. Take care of yourself Ms. Bella.
Wow ! That’s a fantastic sighting of the bald eagles. I bet you were so excited to see them. Thank you so very much for your kind words and well wishes. Slow and steady it goes. 🙂
Beautiful Captures:) Take Care – hope your back feels better. I know mine has been hurting due to the cold and dampness here lately. Have a Great One!
Oh you poor girl too. Getting old sucks doesn’t it? I think my body decided to give up.
The winged creatures of the world – they love you!!!!
LOL ! Well…not too sure about that as they tend to fly away pretty darn often.
Great photos! I particularly liked the pilings frozen in time and place. For answers about the crossbill’s beaks, try this link (hope it works!) http://seasonsflow.wordpress.com/2013/01/26/winter-visitors-part-2/
Thanks for this fantastic link ! It was a perfect explanation of the crossbills.
Take care of yourself..!!!
Excellent shots… 🙂
I’m trying Drake..but I’m really a bad patient. Happy you liked these pics. 🙂
These are just wonderful! Congratulations on your life-capture of the Gadwall, it is a beautiful shot. I didn’t read the article posted by the comment above but from my experience of watching crossbills, I believe their primary diet is that of coniferous seeds. Their bills seem perfectly designed to split them open.
I hope your back is back in fine shape soon – too many things to see and do to be laid up!
You’ve got it Maya, that link that Quiet Solo Pursuits gave us is a perfect post on crossbills and worth a look.
Thank you so much for your well wishes, and I agree, too many things to see and do to be stuck at home.
What a beautiful day you have captured and shared with us all. I loved the post.
You are too sweet. Thank you so very much and hope you had a wonderful day as well.
🙂
Wow you sure made the most of a sick day! Outstanding Emily!
Thanks Phil ! I do love to play!
I just love your bird photos. The gull in the snow especially. It makes an ordinary bird special.
Thank you so much ! I love that gull shot too. Almost gallery worthy. So happy he decided to pose for me in such a perfect spot.
ohhhh no!!! you poor thing. take care of yourself!!
but look at what lovely photos you got, when you had to slow down….
It is so true, slow photography is fantastic photography. Thanks for your warm wishes.
Beautiful series of pictures. I absolutely love them all; especially ring bill sea gull!
lovely photos…congrats!