Yesterday, I decided that I would end my work week with a quick stroll on Plumb Beach before work. Even at high tide, shorebirds were all around running along the surf at the shore. I only had a short time to be out for, I bet there would have been more to see if I had the chance to stick around. As always, no complaints, I am gracious to have the chance to do such things before work- this would have never happened as a public school teacher!
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Semipalmated plovers were all over the beach, appearing out of what seemed like nowhere. Little shorebirds really have great camouflage, I often don't see them until they move! |
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Semipalmated sandpipers also were all over the beach, running along the waves-- and unfortunately, debris. Semipalmated refers to the tiny amount of webbing (semi) that occurs between the spread toes (palmated). So it's all about the feet. |
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A sanderling, a little larger than the sandpiper above intermingled in groups of the sand pipers, and vice versa. |
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This ring billed gull had captured a small fluke/flounder and has no problem putting it down the hatch. |
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Yum! |
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Oystercatchers flew back and forth along the beach, always coming and going, usually letting you know with their voices. |
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A great blue heron, we both were not ready for each other, he was well hidden in the grasses that make up the tidal marsh behind the beach. |
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A black scoter who has been reported continuing here is off in the channel between Plumb and the Marina/Dead Horse Bay. |
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Awful shot, but lucky to have a royal tern loudly announce his presence and fly overhead. |
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This young ring billed gull seemed very handsome in his grey plumage. |
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This willet was not happy that I needed to walk past him to head back to my car. |
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A group of boat-tailed grackles foraged among the grasses near the entry from the parking area. These are all females/youngsters. Males would be all black, with that grackle gloss of iridescent green/purple. |
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A funny nest at work, this is pointed out to me by a coworker, a mourning dove and her chick- they must have been walked past SO MANY times, as that is a large chick! |
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The cute factor, it's there, for sure! |
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Sweet things, I hope that baby fledges successfully! |
Oh, and bonus wildlife fun... At the Mets Pirates game last night, a little moth friend found me (by flying into my face and landing on my sandal). I claimed him to be a rally moth as a run was scored after meeting him, but apparently his little moth body can only lend so much rally to a baseball game. I would have needed at least 2 more to get a win, haha!
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My new friend at the Mets game. I went last Wednesday, where a budgie made an appearance, and was given the title of the rally parakeet. |
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The moth is an oldwife underwing moth. Under the camouflaged wings, you found bright orange, and who ever named this moth, seriously, why?? |
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I made sure he/she was safely released after the game, better luck next time, rally moth.
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