Black skimmer gets it’s name because it skims the surface of the water with it’s open bill. They are trying to feel the fish in the water.
Black Skimmer
I caught this bird flying at different times during the day, but saw more activity early morning and near sunset. I know fishermen like those times as well as when I am putting in a kayak early morning or taking out before dark I see them in their boats. All About Birds says “Its use of touch to catch fish lets it be successful in low light or darkness.”
Black Skimmer- This one was taken on a different day in different lighting conditions.
Coastal New Jersey is in it’s breeding area. However, I think I only observed adults in August.
Black Skimmer
They eat many kinds of fish including: smelt, flounder, menhaden, herring, among others. They will also go after shrimp and blue crab. They mostly choose fish 5 inches or less it sounds.
Black Skimmer
I was on a road with water on both sides and was surprised how close they would fly to me. Frequently they would fly over the road quite close. Either they were totally oblivious to me standing there, or they were giving me a show. Have a great week!
These white ibis babies were younger than the previous ones I posted. It looks like this one is on a small nest within a tree. The babies do not really look a lot like the parents.
White Ibis Babies
When baby Ibises hatch their bills are straight. They do not curve. The beaks start to curve at about 14 days old. I usually do not like using Wikipedia. They say they get this “Stork, Ibises, and Spoonbills of the World” by James Hancock , which was not accessible online. “The newly hatched American white ibis is covered with violet down feathers, deepening to dark brown or black on the head and wings….develops three black rings from around day six, before turning grey by around six weeks of age. ..then a few weeks later turns pink.”
White Ibis Babies- Tired
On the above two pictures you can see the three grey rings on the beak. So in August this baby white ibis was after 6 days old, but before 6 weeks old.
White Ibis Babies
According to NPS.gov immature ibis are dark brown with a white belly and white rump.These ibis seem to be older than the first two pictures. They would seem to be less than 6 weeks old though as they still have the three gray rings on their beak. Their feathers seem more brownish.
White Ibis Babies
I felt bad for the mom with the two babies. They seemed to be constantly chatting away to her. I am guessing they were begging for food. Animal parents get little sleep either it appears. White Ibis are not even supposed to be in NJ, however they are there in multiple spots. The Merlin App would not even provide a match for it. I hope you had a restful Labor Day.
I knew when I took this pictures it did not quite look exactly like a great blue heron and it appeared smaller than a great blue. It wasn’t until I got home and looked at these on the computer that I figured out it was a juvenile tricoloured heron.
I do not think I got any shots of an adult tricoloured heron. This bird can be seen along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast of the U.S. up to Massachusetts. They are considered year round residents according to All About Birds.
They usually forage alone for small fish.
I witnessed this one catch a few while I was watching it.
Where are the kids? Soon they will be ready to migrate.
Waiting for the Kids
First, one parent was waiting patiently with a fish.
Waiting for the Kids
Then the other parent showed up. They appeared to look all around and neither one took a bite of the fish. They looked like they were expecting their kids to return, but they never called out.
Waiting for the Kids
I did not see the kids return, maybe they showed up later and maybe they were able to be on their own. I understand the mother usually will leave first. The father will stay behind a little while with the kids before it leaves. The kids will leave around the same time or later than the father for warmer climates for the winter. Osprey on the East Coast of the US will travel to Central or South America for the winter.
What aircraft is stealth, has great agility, and replaced the F-15 fighter jet? It is the F-22 Raptor. At the New York Air Dot Show we were treated to seeing the Air Force F-22 Raptor. It was very loud when it passed over head.
F-22 Raptor
The F-22 has two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engines. Together they put out 70,000 pounds of thrust, which is more than double of some other plane engines.
Afterburners
F-22 Raptor- Afterburners on
Afterburners are long parts at the end of the engine of the F-22. Afterburners allow the combination and ignition of oxygen and fuel, allowing for a burst of speed. It is kind of like a blowtorch shooting through a nozzle at the back of the engine. It provides a hard kick of extra speed. The downside is they can use up to three times more fuel than when afterburners are not used.
The F-22 can go in supercruise mode. The F-22 has the ability to fly faster than the speed of sound, and not use fuel-guzzling afterburners. It also can maintain stealth when not using afterburners while going at Mach 1.5.
F-22 Raptor – Afterburners on and condensation
I am told by someone from Pratt and Whitney that very low pressure during hard G manoeuvres causes the condensation on top of the wings.
F-22 Raptor Condensation and afterburners onF-22 Raptor
The F-22’s angles, skin composition and paint scheme make it nearly invisible to radar’s electronic eye.
This plane can manuever like no other.This includes climbing, spinning, rolling. It can also loop faster, tighter and more smoothly than any other fighter jet in the world.
F-22 Raptor
This plane can see a long way. The F-22 has a sensor suite that allows the pilot to track, identify, shoot and kill air-to-air threats before anyone can detect it.
Heritage Flight Formation
F-22 Raptor – Old and New
These two aircraft showed off the evolution of Air Force planes. The F-22 Raptor, a current fighter plane, is seen flying in tight formation with a P-51 Mustang. The Mustang was used in WWII, the Korean War and other situations. If you ever get a chance to see the F-22 in action, take advantage.
For more information about the plane read more at:
I went to the New York Air Dot Show this past weekend with some friends. Besides viewing aircraft, the West Point Parachute Team performed a few jumps.
West Point Parachute Team
West Point is the the U.S. Military Academy that trains the future officers and leaders for the US Army. West Point is on the Hudson River in New York and is actually not that far from where this air show took place.
West Point Parachute Team
According to their website ” More than 54 fourth class cadets try out each year for the 8-10 coveted spots on the roster.”
West Point Parachute Team
They compete and medal in the Collegiate Skydiving Championships.
West Point Parachute TeamWest Point Parachute TeamWest Point Parachute TeamWest Point Parachute TeamWest Point Parachute TeamWest Point Parachute Team
Some of the cadets after they jumped came up to the viewing area and high-fived kids who were watching.
West Point Parachute TeamWest Point Parachute Team
According to its facebook page “WPPT recruits future USMA Cadets through outreach demonstration jumps and national competition.” The air show had different booths people could see and they allowed people to get on some of the older planes to take a look. Different branches of service were represented.
I think maps need to be updated. This is another bird that is out of its breeding range. Their breeding area according to All About Birds is mostly in the deep south of the US, except a small swath of Delaware and Maryland. It’s year round range is in the states that border the Gulf of Mexico near the gulf.
White Ibis August
I spotted this with a group of others who were nesting in trees with other birds such as herons etc. in New Jersey.
White Ibis August
White Ibis are large wading birds who live in wetlands or near the coast. The information says they tend to hang out in large groups. I did see them in large groups from afar with what appeared to be Glossy Ibis in one location. I also saw one or two hunting for food a short flight from their nesting area with herons and ducks.
White Ibis August
White Ibis fly awkwardly in for a landing in trees.
Juvenile
White Ibis August
According to All About Birds ” Parents feed the chicks for 40–60 days after they leave the nest (but before they leave the colony) until they can forage by themselves. ”
This baby followed an adult to a body of water to forage.
White Ibis August
This juvenile looked like it might be on its own soon. Have a happy Sunday!
What bird is nocturnal, stocky, is a symbol for patience, and spends a lot of time motionless? It is the black-crowned night heron.
Black-Crowned Night Heron 2025- Daytime near nesting location
They have the word night in their name because they are nocturnal. Usually they are active at night and sleep during the day. They sleep with their eyes closed.
Black-Crowned Night Heron 2025
I actually saw some awake during the day because they had young still relying on them for food.
Black-Crowned Night Heron 2025
This is one is hunting near a culvert under a road. The tide was coming in and water was entering the wetlands from the ocean. The black-crowned night heron goes long periods of time seemingly motionless before it strikes.
Although I have seen this bird in New York I took these pictures in New Jersey. In New York these birds are more wary of people and keep a distance. Even kayaking I have not seen once this close. Have a Happy Friday!
I spotted this bird on a short trip to New Jersey in a pond near the ocean. New Jersey is in the breeding area of the yellow-crowned night heron. The Merlin app identified these birds as yellow-crowned night herons. I believe this is the first time I have seen this bird.
Yellow-Crowned Night Heron- Adult
The adults are grey with a black head and large white cheek patch, and a creamy yellow crown that sometimes appears more white.
According to All About Birds they are a wading bird that eat: marsh crabs, fiddler crabs, ghost crabs, mole crabs, mud crabs, blue crabs, lady crabs, green crabs, rock crabs, and toad crabs. They also eat mussels, insects, scorpions, frogs, tadpoles, fish, small snakes, turtles, young birds, and small mammals.
Juvenile
Yellow-Crowned Night Heron – Juvenile
Juveniles are brown with white spots on the back and wings. The legs are yellow to orange yellow.
Yellow-Crowned Night Heron – Juvenile
I saw the juvenile near the adult. When the adult went to the top of the bank, the juvenile followed shortly thereafter and stood near it. I did see some juvenile herons in a rookery, but could only see their heads and part of their bodies so I am not sure if they were black-crowned or yellow-crowned night herons. Happy Friday!
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