Quarantining with my Backyard Friends

The year 2020 began with such promise - Prospects for travel, visiting friends and family far away, plans for visiting some of the birding Hot Spots in Upstate New York.  In December of last year I received a long awaited new lens for bird photography that was specifically designed for travel and us aging baby boomers who are having difficulty swinging around those 8 pound lenses.  Julie and I were both feeling healthy and mindful that each of these next years were to be embraced and 2020 was one of them.

February had a new plan for us. A sobering reminder that plans are never certain, as our nation plunged into financial uncertainty, stay at home orders, social distancing, remote communication with family, Insta-cart groceries, and homespun mask production.  That all being endured, we both appreciate our good fortune in comparison to our parents who had to experience the horrors of a world war. We were being called to stay home and sit and watch TV.

With being told to "Stay Home" we are truly blessed to be located in a lovely place. Julie and I are fortunate to have plenty of space and time to dive into our hobbies and pastimes. Telling a bird photographer to stay-put opens up more time to observe the coming of Spring and the change of season.  My backyard friends have truly cooperated. I don't know whether more of them decided to show up or I decided to sit still longer and was more observant. In the past few months I have added several new species to my backyard bird count which currently has risen to 75 different species.  My plan of attack for this sequestered season has been to improve my images of birds in a more pleasing artistic setting, paying more attention to backgrounds, composition, and mood.  Once again, no competition here for publications or prints for sale at a craft market, just an attempt at capturing images simply for the joy of it.

A misty morning created this moody shot of two beautiful Cedar Waxwings

Who better to announce Spring than the Song Sparrow - Not the best looker but definitely the best voice in the backyard.

A White Throat Sparrow

The Common Grackle changes from pure black to a speckled beauty in his Spring breeding plumage

Here's a surprise - a spotted sandpiper - new this year to our lake shores

In May the Warblers started to arrive like this beautiful Common Yellow Throat Warbler hiding in the brush

The Red Bellied woodpecker -  noisy neighbor

This chickadee took residence in my large "Bird Hotel" . This fellow may be small in size but his clear dominance chased out a bluebird and a tree swallow. There is a distinct pecking order in the back yard.

This catbird is a member of the Mimicadea family of birds that imitates other birds calls. This fellow gets his name by a perfect "Meow" sound that actually stirrs my cat to meow back at him. 

A Northern Yellow shafted Flicker at home in his tree

The harbinger of Spring - The Red Winged Blackbird

The Blue Jay

A new visiter this year, the Eastern Towhee. He and his wife nested in our yard this Spring

The Cormorant synchronized swim team

The Carolina Wren singing his Spring song

A first-time visiter to our lake, a Mute Swam. He stayed for a few days and flew off looking for a mate no doubt. Julie wonders if he was attracted to the lake by the plastic swan someone has anchored off their dock on the main lake. I must admit the plastic swan has fooled us as we have cruised by.

The Yellow Rumpted Warbler in his breeding plumage

A handsome backyard regular - the Goldfinch

A nice portrait of our state bird, the Northern Cardinal - was the Cleric named after the bird or the bird after the Cleric?

Red Shouldered Hawk on a misty May morning

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The following is a precious sequence I probably would have never witnessed if I wasn't forced to stay home and hang around the house. A baby tufted titmouse takes his leap out of the nesting box and takes his first steps and then an attempt at flying. Mom and Dad offer encouragement, their job almost done.

I've gotta do it!

Yikes that was a big drop!

Good job Junior, You did it!

A parting wish to stay safe Junior and to all my Blog followers as well. 

Winter Water Fowl of the James River

February is always a tough month for me. Gray days, cold, snow or drizzle. The "Februaries" to me translates into too much sitting around snacking and general malaise. Travels to my local bird haunts produce very little activity with the occasional surprise like the beautiful Meadowlarks at Pleasant Grove Park in Fluvanna county. Heading to the coast is a great option to photograph the many water fowl that hang out in the estuaries and tidal basins. Our James River water basin is a wonderful spot in  winter and if you can catch a bright day you are in for a treat. One of the closest "Hot Spots" in Virginia is the Dutch Gap Conservation area on the James River south of Richmond Virginia. This would normally be an hour and a half drive from home but being that we are staying in Richmond for our annual Grandson - sitting, we are only a half hour away.

The Dutch Gap Conservation area is surrounded by the Dominion Electric Companies Power plant. It's amazes me how many of our refuges are on land that surrounds such operations. I'm thinking also of the wonderful Merritt Island NWR situated in Florida on Cape Kennedy Space Center. I guess wildlife centers are good use of land that substitutes for toxic clean-up of old industrial sites. However it gets done...I'm a fan. I understand that the notorious Meadowlands in New Jersey has become a wonderful birding site.

Dutch Gap is a sheltered estuary on the James that on this particular day was a great spot for water fowl to take a break from the high winds and have a good meal. Ducks as you may know can be divided into Dabblers and Divers. Dabblers do just that - eating bugs and organic material within a "flips" reach. Divers can actually dive and swim under water to grab a small fish, a crayfish or a juicy  hemalgramite. On my morning outing I saw both. The following are some favorite pictures from this outing.  Don't be discouraged - Spring is just around the bend!

Common Mallards - Dabblers but still a lovely bird - male and female

Ring-necked Ducks - Divers - Having a "Bad Hair" day with a windy gust.

Beautiful male and female Northern Pintails - Mom is colored for hiding in the nest and Dad is dressed for show to attract the ladies. Common trait among most birds. 

A row of male and female American Wigeons

Beautiful male American Wigeon - over 30 this morning

Northern Shovelers - with their shovel like beaks - Good for Dabbling and scooping.

A beautiful male and female Wood Duck with an American Wigeon in the middle and photo bombing the foreground

Subtle beauty of the Gadwalls.

Canada Geese "Never Canadian" 

Canada Geese in flight

A Gadwall being watched by two Slider turtles - Out for a mild February Day.

A grouping of male and female Ring-necked Ducks - Coolest beaks in the duck world!

Have to get my field guide on this one - Wood duck yes but not sure who's out in front - Another Gadwall couple?

I hope you enjoyed my little sojourn. Beauty abounds everywhere...even near an electric coal fired power plant in February. Get outside and take a rejuvenating walk. Nurture your inner-child sense of wonder. Fight the "Februaries".