Lake Park Warblers 9/18/09

I got to Lake Park at about 7:30am this morning, and though it wasn’t really busy, I saw birds right away. First off, before I post photos, I should say I’m only certain of the species on a few of these. Any help would be appreciated. I did consult both Sibley and Peterson’s Warbler guides.

The first bird I photographed was this Swainson’s Thrush. Though I was just told it could be a Hermit’s Thrush. You decide;

Let’s hope I got that one right.

He was right by the bridge at the North end of the park. I walked to Wolcott statue and back without seeing a whole lot. So then I went down into the ravine and though it was dark, there was quite a bit of activity. Lots of Nashville Warblers, one Black & White Warbler, one Blackpoll Warbler, one Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and several White-throated Sparrows;

After coming up from the ravine I walked the bushes and found what I think is a Tennessee Warbler;

I also had a Yellow-rumped Warbler in a tree;

I started walking back over the bridge towards Lake Park Bistro and stayed there for awhile. I had to be patient but was rewarded with some nice looks at what I think is a Cape may Warbler. I had a difficult time telling the difference between Blackburnian, Yellow-throated Green, and Cape May. So if I misname any please correct me.

This one I left unnamed;

Cape May Warbler

I’m saying this guy is a Blackpoll Warbler, but I could very well be wrong.

Walking back towards the first bridge I had some nice looks at another Nashville;

The next guy was feeding on the ground near the Nashville. I think it’s a Palm Warbler;

Then came a Magnolia Warbler;

Again, I’m saying this is a Blackpoll, but you tell me;

And right before I left I saw a couple Thrushes. First the Swainson’s and then the Gray-cheeked;

I also saw lots of Redstarts but haven’t processed the photos yet.

If I’ve gotten any of these wrong, please let me know. I’m still learning.

Finally

It’s been a good few days of photographing. And not for just birds. I’ve been so focused on photographing birds that it was nice to shoot some family photos on Saturday morning. Thankfully it wasn’t as warm as it is today. We had a really good time and I got some really nice photos. Here’s one of my favorites;

Thanks Jason and Penny and family for a really good shoot.

On Sunday I drove up to Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge and had a pretty good day of photographing. I started by photographing a Great Egret in not such great light. Then I was surprised when I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I got my camera around in time to snap a few photos of 4 River Otters crossing the road.

Then I got this nice Common Yellowthroat singing.

After that I got the thrill of a lifetime when I got the chance to photograph a wild Whooping Crane. I had seen some captive before, but never in the wild. The Whooping Crane was pretty far away for most of the time that I photographed it. But then it took off and flew almost right over my head to the other side of the road. I was very pleased to get this photograph.

Almost forgot. I also saw a pair of Trumpeter Swans with some cygnets.

I went back to Horicon today and failed to see either the Whooping Crane or the Trumpeter Swans. But I finally managed to get some nice shots of a Yellow-headed Blackbird. Now, it will seem strange, but I think I was almost as excited to photograph the Yellow-headed Blackbird as the Whooping Crane. Not quite.

Today will be my last trip to Horicon for awhile. Not for lack of wanting to, but life is about to get crazy. Maybe I’ll post a blog from Massachusetts next week.

Horicon Marsh

So, here I am. Again. I’ll try to be around for awhile this time.

I went up to Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge this morning after dropping Katie off at work. I’ve been going up there a couple times a week for the past few weeks. I just like going there. It’s far enough that I can plug in my iPod and listen to music (Ryan Adams all day, including right now) and close enough that my back doesn’t hurt from being in the car too long. Plus, I’ve been wanting to photograph Yellow-headed Blackbirds. They aren’t a particularly exciting bird, but I’ve become fixated on them. And until I get a photo I’m pleased with, I’ll continue to be fixated on them. Just the way I am. I did manage to photograph one today. Much too far away for a decent image, but a little success nonetheless. I did have an unexpected treat with a very close encounter of a Great Egret. The photos I took today of the Great Egret made the entire trip worthwhile, for me anyway. I’ll post a couple here in just a sec.

I’ll probably continue to go to Horicon until something else catches my interest. The thing I love about going up there, is that everytime I go there’s always something different to photograph. I always come away seeing a bird that I hadn’t seen before. Which isn’t that difficult with me being fairly new to the birding thing. And even though the Yellow-headed Blackbird was far away, it still got my blood pumping. That feeling, I know, will increase when I get a closer shot of the bird. I’m hoping that’s soon.

Anyway. It’s been a long day. Time to get back to ‘The City & The City’ by China Mieville.