Snow Gulls

     Today was a walk with the Feminist Bird Club... but also a little bit of snow. We braved as best we could, thankfully our destinations were reachable by car, so there was always respite from the wind, snow slapping you in the eyeballs,  and wind hurling snow at your eyeballs.
     Our trip included Bush Terminal Park, Army Terminal Pier, and Veteran's Memorial Pier. I think we made the park staff at Bush Terminal Park happy, as they were plowing and maintaining the park, and at least a few crazy people were out to make it worth his while (I hope).
     We were hoping to find the Iceland Gull, but instead we got snow and mostly RBGU's. Despite not seeing the Iceland, we were all glad to have escaped our apartments for some time outdoors and enjoyed watching little feathered beings be absolute bad asses in the wintry weather out there. I am always amazed how some little feathered creature, weighing maybe a pound or two, if even that, can maintain its core temperature and be so tiny.
     Anyway, here are those little badass ring-billed gulls, braving the snow...

The wind was strong, and these bird conquer the wind.
Aside from RBGU's, we also saw Canada Geese, Gadwall, Mallard, Am. Black Duck, Bufflehead, Lesser Scaup, Ruddy Duck, Double Crested Cormorant, Greater Black-back Gulls, Herring Gulls, Red-breasted Merganser, and a Raven.

On the piers, the gulls face the wind head-on...

They also seem to understand the need for personal space, none are ever too close.

Just revisiting these scenes through photos makes my cheeks burn cold.

Low and compact seemed to be the best strategy for conservation of energy and heat.

I love how they can make their neck seem so long or nonexistent. I love these gulls, but I am certainly glad to have returned home to warm blankets, a movie, and my own bird, perched on my shoulder.

January on the Beach

     I do love the beach, and while I despise the winter, I admittedly love winter on the beach. I especially love a snowy beach, if the sand wasn't pretty enough, snow covered sand is even more so. Undisturbed snow covered sand, now that's an absolute bonus. So I left for work earlier than needed to go for a walk on the freshly fallen snow- and admittedly, my first chance to bird in the new year.

One stray laughing gull.

A juvenile gull in winter plumage, looking worse for wear.

 

Gulls the main beach goers among iconic Coney Island.

A ring-billed gull shows us how winter survival is done.

A warm beak and a menacing stare.

Snow brightens up the scenery on a grey morning, as well as this young herring gull.

 

Even in the coldest weather you can be rewarded with quiet, beautiful scenery, and some wonderful wildlife!

Happy New Year

     I decided to get in one last bird walk for 2016. Going birding is so important to me for a variety of reasons, obviously I love birds, but it also comes as a way for me to disconnect, to clear my mind, and be active. During my walks I often think of things beyond myself, my family, friends, and happenings in life.
     2016 may have been a rough year for some, but I consider it a win. From the moment I woke up in a hospital bed in 2013 after a severe bike accident and reacted to my injuries with a "it could be worse..." I have since adopted this as my way to go about things in life. If I am alive with my health, family, and friends, I am in my view pretty damn successful! So in the end 2016 wasn't terrible, but there certainly were times that were hard, but also many to celebrate.
     The most hurtful moment in 2016 was losing my Gma, she was like a mother to my sisters and I and I had never experienced a loss like that before. It hurt so much (more than I could have ever imagined) to lose her, but I also know she is at peace.
     The best news of 2016 was my mom, she went through 2016 taking care of Gma at the end of her life, trying to take care of herself, and probably more people than she ever needed to take care of -- also she went through surgeries and chemo, and she rises up out of 2016 cancer free and hell yeah, I am so proud of her.
     So to close up 2016, I went on a walk in a place that feels like home, Prospect Park, where I could see all the familiar faces of the things I love- and all those things were very compliant in giving me amazing views. What a privilege it is to be alive and to be able to enjoy the nature that surrounds!

Happy New Year- I hope you get out to enjoy some sights of your own!

An American black duck on some calm, but swirly looking waters.

This little downy woodpecker was so close, wandering among the black tarps covering the phragmites, just chipping away at the few little plants coming up.

No shortage on coots today, I love these little winter residents, especially when they give you the chance to see their funny lobed feet.

I perched myself on the edge of the lake and 2 young mute swans made a b-line for me. They approached very close, only to be let down that I would not ever dare feed them.

Some N. Shovelers fly on to join the swirling groups of other, feeding on the lake. I find most every time I am looking at birds along the lake someone always asks about these guys. That's one thing I love about birding, it has been my most favorite way to talk to complete strangers and share knowledge. 

Many ruddy ducks pop up among the crowds of geese, shovelers, and mallards.

Today, among the ruddys was an interloper- a ring necked duck. I watched him for close to 10 minutes waiting to see his bill- which has a white ring around it (don't know whey they called it a ring neck). He did finally pick up his head, for less than 3 seconds, but gave me enough of a glimpse to ID this duck correctly.

One ruddy, near the ring neck duck was going crazy, preening for those 10 minutes. Ruddy ducks in doing this make for some funny poses and their little bodies are just so weird- this guy looks like a puppet.

Also gives you a rare look to see the underside of that broad bill they sport, and to see how far back their feet and legs are set-- the better for diving with!

I always like stopping at the feeders in winter- a nice chance to see birds close and it is always a grab bag- you never know who will show up! Today lots of red-wing blackbirds.

A male house finch in lovely color.

Then I noticed a little guy, darting from feeders to tree, I was slow to catch him, but when I did, it was this little masked thing: a red-breasted nuthatch.

He had a plan to get to those seeds...

Mostly using his small size and that opening in the lid to seize seed easily, then escaping to the trees to enjoy his prize. I was so happy to see this guy, I like nuthatches, but between the white and red-breasted, the red breasted is a joy to see, because they are usually less common.

This pretty mallard caught my eye, just getting in her rest with such beautiful markings.

Was hoping the snow geese would still be on the upper pool, but instead, a nice treat- a very close to shore, female bufflehead!

More common at our coastal areas, these pint size divers are pretty adorable and pretty tough little ducks.

Also a treat, some nice light to actually make out all the beautiful features of this duck.

As I began my walk across the park to head home, I got a really great arial show of three red tail hawks flying over the Neathermead, stooping, and flying together, with many circles and quick turns. Maybe someone is trying to impress?
They also vocalized quite a bit too!

I know they are common, but I love raptors and big birds, maybe because its as close to a real dinosaur I could ever get.

Hawks always remind me of my dad, who is an avid runner. He would run with a fanny pack full of peanuts to feed the squirrels on his runs through the park. He would also tell me about the hawks he'd see feeding on the foie gras squirrels he probably helped to make.
Red tails were perhaps the bird that got me hooked, in middle and high school, going to the park to try and find "the hawk." I liked finding them,spying them on the parkways, and then also expanding my love to osprey and falcons who also could be found around where I grew up.

Perfection!

Someone also just ate- full crop!

Talons look like they were freshly used too!

Why do they call you a red ta...

... alright, got it! ;) 

A nice capture of biomimicry!

I ended my walk with running in to Peter from the BBC, he is always so generous in sharing stories, what he knows, and his kindness. We had a nice chat over birds, the ecosystem, and wished each other a happy new year. I am also so grateful that birding has given me a wonderful network of kind people you can run into out in the field, bird together and spend time with. I love the Brooklyn birding community and look forward to another year as part of it in 2017!

Have a safe and very Happy New Year!

Gone Fishing

     I snuck in some time at Green-Wood before 2016 is up. Saw nothing out of the ordinary but was able to have a nice long look at a belted kingfisher. These birds don't let you ever get close, and I find I tend to spook them out before I even notice them.
     I took the car into the cemetery and just rolled down the window, stuck out the camera and shared a few minutes with this female Belted Kingfisher. We know this is a female because of that red marking that goes from her sides across her chest. Males lack this completely.

 I like this chance to look at the kingfisher head-on, because it looks very kookaburra-esque- and for good reason, kookaburras are in the kingfisher family!

And then there was this guy/gal, a great blue heron-- with a face that embodies the feelings that most folks share over 2016... I personally love their faces, unfortunately he might appear angry to us, but this is after I watched him catch two fat goldfish and just toss them back like no big deal. I can't imagine he is all that angry with a stocked pond all to himself.