Saturday, February 14, 2009

Harlequin Ducks at Barnegat Lighthouse

Male Harlequin Duck 

Female Harlequin Duck 

Harlequin Ducks 

Harlequin Ducks 

Harlequin Ducks 

Harlequin Ducks 

Harlequin Duck 


On Thursday, a colleague told Mike about the Harlequin Ducks that spend the winter on the rocky coast at Barnegat Lighthouse off Long Beach. Chris just had to see them, so off we went at the start of the weekend in hopes of spotting this stunning waterfowl. The harlequin ducks were exactly where they had been a month earlier. It was definitely worth the drive as we felt well rewarded, and Chris even managed to overcome her irrational fear of walking along the huge rock jetty to see them. Now that we've seen them, we are having trouble deciding which is more beautiful, the Wood Duck or the Harlequin Duck. They both look like they have been hand painted.

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Anonymous jj said...

When do the Harlequins arrive and leave for the most part? Thanks very much!

March 19, 2010 at 2:30 AM  

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Red-breasted Merganser at Barnegat Lighthouse

Red-breasted Merganser 

Red-breasted Merganser 


The red-breasted merganser looks like the common merganser. It prefers the salt water of Barnegat Bay to the freshwater of Lake Nelson.

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Anonymous Claudia said...

Boy your photo's RULE! Thanks for sharing

December 27, 2009 at 1:20 PM  

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Red-throated Loon at Barnegat Lighthouse

Anonymous dondrup said...

must confess, i don't think this is a red-throated loon. bill is too heavy and curved with not upturned appearance.

October 16, 2009 at 3:13 PM  
Anonymous Eric LoPresti said...

Definitely a Common Loon: blocky head and stocky bill.

Somehow these pictures are the second and fifth results on google images for "Red-throated Loon winter" - it might be nice and less confusing to some if you correct this.

January 25, 2012 at 5:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

These images are Common Loons, not Red-throated.

January 22, 2014 at 10:03 PM  

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Long-tailed Ducks at Barnegat Lighthouse

oldsqauw with long tail

oldsquaw

Oldsquaw

Oldsquaw

Oldsquaw

Oldsquaw
These long-tailed ducked were an added bonus on our trip to Barnegat. There were many more of them than the Harlequins, and while not as strikingly colorful, they were very entertaining. There was great variety in their coloration, and only the male has the obviously long tail.

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Hey, I thought you said this lake had defrosted

Mallards 

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Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count: Feb. 13-16, 2009



The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. This year, the bird count is Feb. 13-16, 2009

For details visit Great Backyard Bird Count

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Friday, February 13, 2009

Defrosted





The lake has finally defrosted. Word got out quickly. We get to count some fancy ducks in the Great Backyard Bird Count. Two wood ducks arrived, followed by a hooded merganser.

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Thursday, February 12, 2009

Common Mergansers: Photo by Josh in Bordentown, NJ



I am new to bird watching. Kids seems to be getting into to it. Do not know the name of the following ducks. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank You,

Josh
Bordentown NJ

---
They are common mergansers. The male is being followed by the female. They are great fun to watch because they dive and catch fish.
Mike and Chris

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Reddish Egret

Reddish Egret

Reddish Egret

Reddish Egret

Reddish Egret

We first observed the reddish egret in California where it is rare. The reason we are posting so many pictures is because we have become quite the fans of this entertaining bird. Unlike the careful, calculated stalking technique of the other herons and egrets, the reddish egret will run, hop, spread its wings and basically look very silly while it's fishing. We also love the crazy wiry hairstyle (known to more serious birders as plumage.)

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We really like the reddish egret

reddish egret 

reddish egret 

reddish egret 

reddish egret 

reddish egret 

Here, he's demonstrating his fishing technique.

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Tricolored heron

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Snowy Egret

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Warbler




We think this is a warbler.

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Anonymous birdkid171 said...

Hello!
I believe that this warbler is a Palm Warbler, judging by this link. Please refer to it for additional information.

January 18, 2011 at 10:39 AM  

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Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Red Bellied Woodpecker at a Palm Tree

Red Bellied Woodpecker 


The Red Bellied Woodpecker is still one of our favorites no matter what state we are in. We like palm trees too.

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Mottled Duck at Ding Darling

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Shorebirds on Sanibel Island

Sanderling
Sanderling



Plover?



Ruddy Turnstone



Willet

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Brown Pelicans

Brown Pelicans
Brown Pelican
Brown Pelican

The brown pelicans rest in the trees along the beaches in Sanibel. They look like they are much too heavy to be supported by the small limbs

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Pied-billed Grebes at Sanibel

Pied-billed Grebe 

Pied-billed Grebe 

Pied-billed Grebes are the smallest and cutest of the seabirds

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Sanibel Gulls and Terns

Royal Tern
Royal Tern







We usually are not a big fan of the sea gull. However, walking down the beach, we encountered a funny looking sea gull with a longer bill and a funny crown of black hair. A passerby identified it as a royal tern. They were still around we when came back later with the camera so we got a few pictures. Here are some pictures of other gulls too.

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Anonymous xiao said...

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November 14, 2010 at 9:48 PM  

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