January Highlights

January had many excuses to keep me away from the refuge; projects around the house, really cold weather, and starting a new gym routine. When I am honest with myself I think that a fair amount of my reluctance to visit is that January can just be dull and dreary.

I did get over to Concord several times but more to participate in the weekly bird census than for photography.  Being a creature of habit I did bring my camera along.  So this post contains some of the photos I took along the way.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Looking back at January, I see the foolishness of my ways.  Even with the limited time I spent at the refuge, I captured some interesting photos (at least to me).  Imagine what I might have seen if I dressed a bit warmer and headed out more often

Taking the Morning Off

I certainly know how to pick my days to visit the refuge.  This week it has been milder than normal, but I was busy with projects around the house.   Finally, I felt I deserved some time off as a reward.  That's why I ended up visiting the refuge the morning the temperature had dropped into the 20's.  Ugh!  Many of the creatures were hunkered down some place warm, or out of the wind.

There were several swans that alternated between the two impoundments.  I am not a big fan, but you have to admit they are beautiful.  Their initial takeoff has all the style and grace of watching a bus try to fly.  Once they are airborne they are impressive.  With their wide wing span, they make powerful and forceful beats of their wings.  When they fly over your head it sounds like their joints are arthritic and creaking.




At first this one didn't look like it would gain enough altitude to clear my tripod as it headed towards me.


 Unlike Joe McNally's photo of Brandon Wight we didn't have to order theses wings from Mother Plucker

As always there were the ubiquitous geese. Today we just weren't clicking on timing and setup. I did catch these two as they started their take-off "roll". Kind of looks like a foot race.


It was so quiet and clod that I was starting to question my wisdom of circling the lower impoundment. Towards the far end, I was rewarded with some great views of a Red-tailed Hawk hunting.


The sun shining off the tail demonstrates that they are aptly named


Puffed up to trap all the warmth it was generating, it reminds me of those puffy down jackets that were popular back in the 70's


Finally it saw and captured its next meal. Unfortunately there was asmall branch in the way, so I had to do a little Photoshop reconstructive surgery on the limb.

A Quiet Friday

It is rare to be at Great Meadows without encountering a variety of other nature lovers, joggers, bird watcher, walkers, Fish & Wildlife personnel and the like as you visit the refuge. It is special when you encounter a day like Friday morning when I arrived to a rarity, an empty parking lot.

 I find the solitude of the refuge very peaceful. Walking you are entertained purely by the sounds of the wind rustling through the trees and the various birds calling. The early morning light is warm and embracing. I find moments like these recharge my spirit.

 The photographer in me also likes the fact that most of the animals are not yet on guard and cautious of humans. If you are quiet and walk stealthily you can often get closer to animals. Later in the day the same animals can be found further back in the hidden recesses of the impoundments.

That is how I happened to come upon this Pied Billed Grebe close to the observation deck.

 
 


This time I was looking for the bittern as I got close to the Poison Ivy bench. Unfortunately they hide well. It saw me before I saw it.


As I was walking along the lower impoundment, a flock of bluebirds came flying up the path. One decided to land on a gone-by calico aster and stared right a me. I tried to shift subtly to get more of the blue on its back, but that was enough to scare it away.

 
But maybe the reason it didn't stay was his hawk perched up in a tree a little further on.

 

My favorite pictures of the day, however, are of this White-throated Sparrow that sat and posed for me on the remnants of an old snag. The light was perfect and at my back. Update: I originally identified this as a Savannah Sparrow, but Alan pointed out my mistake.  I confused the yellow supraloral with the  Savannah's yellow lores.  I guess I'll have to pay closer attention.

 

This snag used to be my favorite because tree swallows used to nest in it. Unfortunately, most of it broke and crashed to earth a year ago. However, it appears the rest still photographically delivers for me.