Bashakill Wetlands and Black Dirt Region Trips

Last week was a fun week.  I took several trips to the Bashakill Wetlands and out to the black dirt region of Orange County.  I saw a ton of different animals while out.  In the black dirt region there were tons of Canadian geese and snow geese in fields.  None close enough for me to photograph.  Also in the black dirt region there were a lot of different species of hawks.   Red wing black birds were also plentiful in the area.  However I did not see many species of ducks.  On the way back home from Orange County I pulled over to photograph two mute swans on a frozen pond.  That almost turned out to be a mistake because a state trooper pulled me over when I got back on the road.  Thankfully he was just checking to make sure I was not broken down.  He didn't realize there were mute swans on the pond where I was pulled over.  When he realized that I was photographing the swans and he saw my camera, we had a long conversation about photography.  I’m just happy the swan photographs didn't cost me a ticket.  

On several trips to the Bashakill Wetlands I saw plenty of wildlife, which has only gotten better every week due to the ice melting.  I did get to see my first Great Blue Heron of the year.  He was hiding in the reeds which didn't make for the best photographs.  Also at the Bashakill I have been seeing some bald eagles.  I’m worried that the nesting pair near the boat launch is not going to have any chicks this year because they are not staying on the nest.  I believe by this point there should always be one tending the eggs and both have been off the nest at the same time.  I’m hoping to get out more this week and hopefully see more species of migratory ducks because last week was a slow week for ducks.  I will try and post again by the end of the week about my trips.  Hope you enjoy the photographs.  Until next time.   

Migratory Duck Season Underway

This past week I have spent a lot of time out at the Bashakill Wetlands watching for migratory ducks.  I have also been out to the other reservoirs in my area.  It has been slow but I have seen a fair share of different species.  Including ringneck ducks, common mergansers, hooded mergansers, common goldeneye, mallards, black ducks, and tons of canadian geese.  I did get a couple of good photographs of male ringneck ducks, but I did not manage many other photographs this week.  The last couple days were not as good as the previous couple due to the temperature dip and the open water freezing back up. 

Hopefully warmer weather is coming and the ice will finally melt away.  I believe that the next couple of weeks should be great for migratory ducks especially if the ice continues to melt and more water opens up.  If you can, you should try and get out and see these beautiful ducks.  I have seen a few bald eagles each day I've been out, but none close enough to photograph.  I’m hoping that this weekend will produce more migratory ducks in the area and I may take a trip into the black dirt area of Orange County New York to see if I see anything.  Until Next time.       

Winter Weather

I didn't have many chances to get out this week, due to job interviews and the weather.  However I did go through some of my older pictures and found two that I liked.  So I will post them.  One was a black capped chickadee in my backyard.  The other was a black duck from last week.  

I am looking forward to getting out again soon.  Hopefully the weather is better this week, because Winter Storm Thor seemed to last forever here and ruined the start of the week.  This week’s weather looks more promising so hopefully nothing changes.  Enjoy the images.  Until Next Time.

Eagle Season Nearing The End

I awoke this morning to a snow storm, so I decided to go through some photographs from the week.  One of the photographs I liked was a Black Capped Chickadee photo, the only problem was it was snowing and a snow flake made a large blur by the Chickadee.  The other photograph I believe is an American Black Duck.  I liked the duck photograph because it was different because it was pruning itself and it kept closing its eyelid.  

This week was a slow week for bald eagles.  The count was down and they were uncooperative.  However there were a lot more ducks around.  So it appears that migratory duck season has started in this area.  I am looking forward to taking a trip out to the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge this duck season.  I have not been home this time of year in four years due to college, and I have never been there during the duck migration periods.  I would also love to photograph some owls this year, and the fields on the Liberty Loop Trail at the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge might be the place to see some.  I have never photographed owls before and I would love the opportunity too.  They really are interesting birds and they have always eluded me.  Hopefully I will get out more soon.  Until Next Time.