Tag: #HudsonValleyBirds

The Stand-Off

Before I took this picture, the cormorant kicked off this floating platform some other turtles who just wanted to enjoy the sun. The lone turtle to remain was not having it. He kept standing his ground. The turtle was trying to engage him in a stare down, but the cormorant never looked him in the eye.

The Stand-Off – The Turtle and the Cormorant

When I left the turtle was still standing his ground. Maybe my presence gave him some bravado. I believe this may be a juvenile cormorant. I caught it on this pond near the Hudson River on three separate nights. Given that great blue herons and green herons stop here to fish and numbers of turtles call this home, there must be food to be had. Have a great Labor Day Weekend!

Meadowlark

The meadowlark is said to be in my area all year long. It is the first time I have captured one on camera. I was on a low level as compared to it. I have heard meadowlarks calling before in grass land areas, but fail to spot one. This one landed on the railing of a viewing platform.

Meadowlark

Have a great week! Here’s hoping you have some sunny days!

American Coot

I saw a bird you do not usually see hanging out in this area, an American Coot. It was all by itself on the Hudson River. It was hanging near a group of Mallard ducks, but not too near. Whenever it got too close, they chased it back. The mallards had noticeably bigger bodies than the coot. No other coots have been seen with this one.

We are in the upper part of their non breeding area for this region. I am guessing this is one born last year, who is not ready to mate yet or does this one somehow know about the fires? I believe the mating region is in Canada.

It seemed busy eating aquatic plants. The first few times I went, I never saw it get out of the water. All three pictures in this post were taken on different days in different lighting conditions/ times of day.

When I went late this morning, I hung out for a while. It finally walked out of the water and onto the shore this area has during low tide. It was worth the wait. His legs looks like lizard legs. American Coots are not considered ducks. I’m sure their legs and feet are one of the reasons why.

I was not sure what I would get out of this trip, knowing it was late morning to noon. That is usually not a good time because of lighting. Next time don’t let that hold you back. There are things to see even during poor lighting conditions!

Autumn Birds

Have you ever felt you missed out on something? I missed the peak of leaf season. These were taken maybe 1-2 weeks after peak. When I arrived at the lake there was a thick fog. Maybe 15 minutes later it started thinning out.

Great blue heron when the fog was lifting.
Do all gulls look this peeved? Maybe he’s not looking forward to going south?
The swans were flying circles around the lake. Usually you only seeing them swimming. Could they be getting themselves in shape to fly south?

The swan has some hitchhikers on it. The black objects attached to it’s body are what locals call bull’s heads or steer’s heads. They have multiple sharp points. They are not fun to step on.

Swan wing noise in flight from Cornell Lab of Ornithology MacCaulay Library

or here :

https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/248438

Get out and enjoy the conditions while you can. It will be winter before you know it.

Obsessed Bird

This bird has an obsession with my neighbour’s motorcycle mirror. He rotates around the mirror looking at himself and pecking at the bird he thinks he sees. I guess photos do not tell the whole story here. The bird does this everyday.

Sunny Day
Sunny day
Cloudy day
This bird has yet to figure out what he sees is indeed himself. I am just concerned he does not hurt himself with the frequent pecking at this mirror.
He has been doing this every day for weeks.

Moral of the story: things are not always what they seem or appearances can be deceiving.