Saturday, November 15, 2008

Inflatable Woodpecker

downy woodpecker 

 
This downy was cleaning himself while hanging on to the side of the tree.

Labels: ,

Anonymous Jumptown Inflatibles said...

I wonder how that bird even stayed like that long enough to clean itself. Last I checked it isn't fun to just hang there sideways.

May 8, 2012 at 6:28 PM  

Post a Comment  

posted by Chris and Mike at

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Wondering what to have for breakfast?

Kingfisher eating a fish 


This kingfisher recommends fresh fish.

Chris always likes a bird photo that is detailed enough to see the eye well. Here, you can see its breakfast's eye too.

Below he shows the proper technique for eating a fish: Toss it in the air, catch it head first, turn your head, swallow, let the tail slide down, and rest.


Click to enlarge

Labels: , ,

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great shot!

November 12, 2008 at 2:52 PM  

Post a Comment  

posted by Chris and Mike at

Hooded Mergansers

Hooded Mergansers 

 

Hooded Mergansers 


Two groups of hooded mergansers swam by this morning. One group had three females and one male and the other three males and a female. We think the geese are envious of the speed and fancy hairdos of the mergansers.

Labels: ,

Post a Comment  

posted by Chris and Mike at

Monday, November 10, 2008

American Coot Visiting Lake Nelson

coot 

We used to see coots by the hundreds in a lagoon in Playa Del Rey when we lived in Southern California, but hadn't seen a coot in New Jersey until this morning. Mike spotted it first when it was too dark to get a picture. The coot came back and Mike went outside to get a few photos. Chris didn't think it was worth it to go out in the cold for a coot, even if it was to try out the new duck blind.

Labels: ,

Post a Comment  

posted by Chris and Mike at

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Northern Pintails

Northern Pintail

Northern Pintails


We finally made it to the Meadowlands to see some migratory ducks. It was a pretty good day with a wide variety of ducks. We had never seen the pintails or the shovelers before. Here are the best photos of the northern pintails.

Labels: , , ,

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great Photo. What a handsome duck.

November 11, 2008 at 7:31 PM  

Post a Comment  

posted by Chris and Mike at

Northern Shovelers

Northern Shoveler
Northern Shoveler
Northern Shoveler

Chris has always wanted to see a Northern Shoveler, or at least since we bought a book on the birds of the east coast last year. Today was our lucky day, there were several Northern Shovelers at the Richard W. DeKorte Park at the Meadowlands. The large bill of the shoveler must have been the inspiration for Daffy Duck.

Labels: , , ,

Post a Comment  

posted by Chris and Mike at

Buffleheads at the Meadowlands

Buffleheads  

Bufflehead Ducks 



While we have observed an occasional bufflehead on Lake Nelson, we had never seen large groups or females before. They were a real treat at the Meadowlands.

Labels: , , ,

Post a Comment  

posted by Chris and Mike at

Ruddy Ducks at The Meadowlands

 

 


There are several bird blinds set up at the Meadowlands Environmental Center. At one, we saw about 100 ruddy ducks. We were quite amused to see all of them dive under water at once several times.

Labels: , , ,

Post a Comment  

posted by Chris and Mike at

Green-winged Teal

Post a Comment  

posted by Chris and Mike at

American Black Duck

Post a Comment  

posted by Chris and Mike at

Mallard at Meadowlands Environment Center

Mallard


Although we enjoy the fancy ducks, we like this mallard photo too.

Labels: , ,

Post a Comment  

posted by Chris and Mike at

Cormorant in Flight

Post a Comment  

posted by Chris and Mike at

Mute Swan at the Meadowlands

Post a Comment  

posted by Chris and Mike at

Egret at the Meadowlands

Post a Comment  

posted by Chris and Mike at

Bufflehead on Lake Nelson

Buffleheads

When we got home, we saw two bufflehead on Lake Nelson.

Labels: ,

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cute!!

November 11, 2008 at 7:32 PM  

Post a Comment  

posted by Chris and Mike at