More Birding

So I had a great day of birding.  It wasn't a long concerted effort, but I saw a number of birds that made my day.  I simply took a lunch time drive enjoying the 60 F temperature in January and found quite a few treats. First, my Bald Eagle was perched high in a pine tree.  Then as I went on I came across the site I had been waiting for:  The swans are back!

So taking a closer look, they appear to be Trumpeter Swans with their black beaks.


Then I came across the guys below.  I thought they were some kind of Plover, but until  a little post photo production - ie, cropping big time to zoom in on them I wasn't sure exactly what.

So the news is that after catching them in flight and zooming way in, I'm quite sure they are Killdeer.  Their a common plover you see jetting here and there in quick spurts, usually on the shoreline, parking lot or even a gravel covered roof top.

 You can hardly notice them in the photo on the left, but when you zoom in - as below, the wings definitely show a Killdeer.  I love the exploration after taking the photos.  I'm learning a lot.

 The day ended with a another short diversion on the way home.  I was hoping to snap a few more photos of some birds, but the sun was heading home a little too quickly.

I did see a kingfisher, but he was too quick to be see on film (digital film anyway.  He has a most notable cry.  You can here it on this page.

So the adventure for the day ended with the sun finally calling it a day, and letting the moon stand watch.  Just the way it should be.

All in all, another beautiful day in creation.

I also took a few pics last Saturday to share.  I was able to take some shots of a gull soaring barely overhead on the boardwalk at Solomons Island, MD.  Enjoy.