tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25322124262058846762024-02-22T11:08:05.913-05:00Long-tailsA view of the Wildlife around the Norwalk Islands.
OK... Sometime's my Backyard and Beyond!Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-80382839745188060442015-02-06T23:07:00.000-05:002015-02-06T23:07:37.364-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our backyard is very frozen, except for the tiny bit of Koi pond water that we keep open for birds and other wildlife throughout the winter.</div>
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From the photo above, some of our many bird feeders can be seen, what you don't see is the ton's of seed that we also toss on the ground every morning and late afternoon for the many species of birds such as sparrows, cardinals, junco's, dove's, plus a few squirrels that feed off the frozen earth.</div>
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Of course all this bird food attracts bigger birds such as this Cooper's Hawk from a few days ago.</div>
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But when night time rolls in, the day time birds and squirrels go to roost and other nocturnal species move in.</div>
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This we know.</div>
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While lighting the outdoor grill this evening, I saw something move across the snow below the sunflower seed feeder.</div>
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It was well hidden in very dark shadows and I could not make out what the tiny creature was, I thought perhaps a mouse, but was not at all certain.</div>
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Looking through the dim light, it looked somewhat like a chipmunk, but what the heck would a chipmunk be doing out in this arctic blast and at night? </div>
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I ran inside and put a spotlight on the critter and was very amassed to see that it was a Flying Squirrel!</div>
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Wow, we never saw one of these in our yard!</div>
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It had no fear of us, our spot light or camera flash</div>
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It fed underneath this feeder for about thirty minutes.</div>
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Eating the seeds that I tossed to the ground, just before sunset, </div>
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for tomorrow mornings birds and squirrels.</div>
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We just were not expecting this nocturnal squirrel.</div>
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What a cute little rascal!!!</div>
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Note the white area below it's arm, this is the membrane that folds out to help it "fly"</div>
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We hope to see him again soon!</div>
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BTW, it did not see it's shadow! So spring is right around the corner!</div>
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(if you live in Florida)</div>
<br />Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-52163354102218964542015-01-10T00:25:00.000-05:002015-01-10T00:25:54.090-05:00Backyard Cooper's Hawk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BFOsoy43UmTKqqkdCC9aOnQsRizm5FKOcgzATitqBzw8dQzUD7zcFagxgebJ5jjUnN6f-VR89XoIpt0hVqC5BuZGEzF8zNgo_F3ytWDyVXCuIchJwYVEHIOf0zfSkJKoirTBFelfag/s1600/IMG_8438-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BFOsoy43UmTKqqkdCC9aOnQsRizm5FKOcgzATitqBzw8dQzUD7zcFagxgebJ5jjUnN6f-VR89XoIpt0hVqC5BuZGEzF8zNgo_F3ytWDyVXCuIchJwYVEHIOf0zfSkJKoirTBFelfag/s1600/IMG_8438-1.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>We have a number of bird feeders in our Norwalk CT backyard, Using mostly sunflower seed, suet, peanuts and thistle, plus we also have a small fish pond that is kept unfrozen even during the coldest winter days and nights for fresh drinking water for the many birds and mammals.</div>
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Of course all this feed and open water attracts many birds, chickadee's, titmouse, cardinals, bluejay's, doves, woodpeckers, nuthatches, sparrows and ton's more.</div>
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One of those species are hawks, mainly the Accipiter Species that watch our bird feeders such as Sharp-shinned Hawk and Cooper's Hawk. </div>
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These species make most of their living feeding on other smaller birds, as in those first mentioned, larger hawks prey more on mammals, fish and carrion.</div>
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Late this afternoon while I was prepping this evening's dinner,</div>
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I noticed a quick shadow blot out the low winter sun though our kitchen window, </div>
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It passed to quickly to be an air plane, I've seen this too many times at our feeder and started scanning for the hawk.</div>
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At first I didn't see anything and continued chopping the veggies.</div>
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Then another sudden flash flew across the backyard, I barely caught it out of the corner of my eyes, there were now no birds at any of the feeders, so this can only be one thing.</div>
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I searched and searched from the kitchen window and then finally I saw it, their it was, perched in on of the cedar's horizontal branches, a Cooper's Hawk!</div>
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I thought he was just perched there,viewing through my bins I saw nothing other then a perched hawk. Oh what the heck, I grabbed my camera and very slowly inched my way out the side door, taking all the time in the world, inch by inch with little to no movement, I was able to get within ten feet of the hawk, he paid me no mind.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Z2Kk2AHnD_Aybda6LN7gihdvGVC32TYoQf6htqR8n6szFISbQYIThZfwjEdDOcNQ22CqJPPkdWlO4f1EKyBo8yEPP8LPip3y54eduRCPjhxNpmaAYAMqjhBj3PZMY4DmHK5Y-o5OhQ/s1600/IMG_8452-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Z2Kk2AHnD_Aybda6LN7gihdvGVC32TYoQf6htqR8n6szFISbQYIThZfwjEdDOcNQ22CqJPPkdWlO4f1EKyBo8yEPP8LPip3y54eduRCPjhxNpmaAYAMqjhBj3PZMY4DmHK5Y-o5OhQ/s1600/IMG_8452-1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Now I saw that indeed he did catch dinner<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReszPTShxVgrIx5_yuUHhyN6V90C9NzNAIhMpNc6CgFu7YhOQD0S8BT_UPPcuXBEW0uSmOOlO3NNxBVOQ7_PLwDJ89j7-tZAdZWzAaDKu5fwS_Nejn0PgfB9UYKbkGH3x3EG8Risyog/s1600/IMG_8454-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReszPTShxVgrIx5_yuUHhyN6V90C9NzNAIhMpNc6CgFu7YhOQD0S8BT_UPPcuXBEW0uSmOOlO3NNxBVOQ7_PLwDJ89j7-tZAdZWzAaDKu5fwS_Nejn0PgfB9UYKbkGH3x3EG8Risyog/s1600/IMG_8454-1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
OMG,<br />
I hope it was not one of our Cardinals, then I saw the black irredescent feathers<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jusT-L8iu9XgigJkKws9Tuzsau8BqtayuCFlxFzHMCaJlsdbGEkV6LQdrtocqYaxe3fdc-2pxDVZzuat5LNX1IWaXe70EMROOLiNkrzlLssNhZZL4T5eUynAm7dQVld7v7fUHi2bCQ/s1600/IMG_8466-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jusT-L8iu9XgigJkKws9Tuzsau8BqtayuCFlxFzHMCaJlsdbGEkV6LQdrtocqYaxe3fdc-2pxDVZzuat5LNX1IWaXe70EMROOLiNkrzlLssNhZZL4T5eUynAm7dQVld7v7fUHi2bCQ/s1600/IMG_8466-1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
It was a Starling, that the hawk captured, one of the many Starlings that have been enjoying the feast in our back yard.<br />
After a few shots I backed off as slow if not slower then I came, trying not to upset the hawk and let him fill his belly<br />
.I made it back inside as he continued to feed for another ten minutes and he flew off.<br />
Sparrows, Cardinals and the whole bunch returned to the feeders to fill up before the dark set.<br />
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I do not intend to upset anyone with these photos, I only try to show nature as it happens.<br />
Sometimes I am blessed to be there at the correct time.<br />
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LFLarry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-41838266361848579832013-06-09T00:45:00.000-04:002013-06-09T01:37:50.986-04:00Terns, turtles and gulls, but no Booby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LNvFB0iaDOgEO7m0jyXZqxBVbRrkSrwfEv83j0DbB76lxZRZwn1pd7xB5t069_n9Icj3pXNTCuJnqZWC-6uVmokevkQmF6cA8MUVIw5N8bIQpxZ1CRyj2VOwLFTvzfQmw59IOTom4A/s1600/IMG_6115-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LNvFB0iaDOgEO7m0jyXZqxBVbRrkSrwfEv83j0DbB76lxZRZwn1pd7xB5t069_n9Icj3pXNTCuJnqZWC-6uVmokevkQmF6cA8MUVIw5N8bIQpxZ1CRyj2VOwLFTvzfQmw59IOTom4A/s320/IMG_6115-2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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I left my boat slip at sunrise just a few mornings ago.</div>
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This Double-crested Cormorant is already drying itself off in the early morning sun.</div>
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I'll be looking high and low for the Brown Booby, but I know my chances are slim.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQAcQWqganhXd7g-MbC26RIgMXkJBLT1pdOqsoChclMHK7PZUMGfs6LYU5UGeMMId8z56WjFhjkgx1IUTzN3TXF6Z2p5YDNUtFni0eB71lPH5wHie933e4rKoc6MYKw3MWTQYRk7EsQ/s1600/IMG_6116-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQAcQWqganhXd7g-MbC26RIgMXkJBLT1pdOqsoChclMHK7PZUMGfs6LYU5UGeMMId8z56WjFhjkgx1IUTzN3TXF6Z2p5YDNUtFni0eB71lPH5wHie933e4rKoc6MYKw3MWTQYRk7EsQ/s320/IMG_6116-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Common Terns are nesting on Cockenoe Island. </div>
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That is Peck's Ledge Lighthouse in the back round.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkBIWinSPpy4jvDzkahd9gk4kaBcuLf7Odj5HFzTZ28RYTPp_rNFMkBak5wbWhASrRJjRGGSo-8OE40W5NPdkT3KJnMsfZ28u3Xt4WKILZjc6f7hpdxuXmArEFId2u3OFSITo5kbYJQ/s1600/IMG_6119-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkBIWinSPpy4jvDzkahd9gk4kaBcuLf7Odj5HFzTZ28RYTPp_rNFMkBak5wbWhASrRJjRGGSo-8OE40W5NPdkT3KJnMsfZ28u3Xt4WKILZjc6f7hpdxuXmArEFId2u3OFSITo5kbYJQ/s320/IMG_6119-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The sand spit on Cockenoe Island had a lone American Oystercatcher sitting on it's nest.</div>
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Other oystercatchers have already hatched their chicks, I saw at least ten oystercatcher chicks running about on this island, still a few adults are nesting.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIsDatG61_v1A4IYgBi54nXFIRoq5EvFuSlQ_LTjTkqDsABySk21e5Ar2_E2vAf6DVNa_hLKCr7cwxwB6ihj7KDV75LVYa48Y4eV5y9Y6s7013TtusDcNX_0adygPsbU__gD7ZQNOgQ/s1600/IMG_6139-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIsDatG61_v1A4IYgBi54nXFIRoq5EvFuSlQ_LTjTkqDsABySk21e5Ar2_E2vAf6DVNa_hLKCr7cwxwB6ihj7KDV75LVYa48Y4eV5y9Y6s7013TtusDcNX_0adygPsbU__gD7ZQNOgQ/s320/IMG_6139-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of several Willet</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKv28JRC4a4F0NysOEgw34o5aM1nUA3bM25osQ6vDnFJpoKtEyijz5XDJ3SOs5FMU76xflKk_ewSRsNwlj7s3Gbq7dx6eUkkJ2G1qsWkjYPHR9T22BtL4rrxVfF1oIvv9xHDUwhLy22g/s1600/IMG_6147-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKv28JRC4a4F0NysOEgw34o5aM1nUA3bM25osQ6vDnFJpoKtEyijz5XDJ3SOs5FMU76xflKk_ewSRsNwlj7s3Gbq7dx6eUkkJ2G1qsWkjYPHR9T22BtL4rrxVfF1oIvv9xHDUwhLy22g/s320/IMG_6147-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I notice this turtle making it's way out of the water and up a sandy shoreline area of Cockenoe Island.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc5KuKFxrzeyvsX09R-6QntEB45i5j7j8ExOeGGtk8pgsTotBnaEX3zmDUok0i0ug7GgZdYfABBUJCdTmQd86jIgb4K-TmyoIJE6y9jmNZv9ojx0oF8fSXbpiqZs2IylAM04Rg9zWWQ/s1600/IMG_6148-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc5KuKFxrzeyvsX09R-6QntEB45i5j7j8ExOeGGtk8pgsTotBnaEX3zmDUok0i0ug7GgZdYfABBUJCdTmQd86jIgb4K-TmyoIJE6y9jmNZv9ojx0oF8fSXbpiqZs2IylAM04Rg9zWWQ/s320/IMG_6148-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For those not familiar with Cockenoe Island, there is very little fine sandy are to be found, but this Diamondback Terrapin found it....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHn1eGwnJTgXHIWd-Hn3WVP73-t61fEPgrxmE4snqWw-mOOuIakzF052VLwRsxuC2VbkZsXTB3FNJSlRPmIZeOyMILeEHJYN4vTDR1mnWyRkxIyItzbDQSubekQWNxC80RQAiUTq74Q/s1600/IMG_6157-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHn1eGwnJTgXHIWd-Hn3WVP73-t61fEPgrxmE4snqWw-mOOuIakzF052VLwRsxuC2VbkZsXTB3FNJSlRPmIZeOyMILeEHJYN4vTDR1mnWyRkxIyItzbDQSubekQWNxC80RQAiUTq74Q/s320/IMG_6157-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and started digging a hole to lay her eggs... I left her alone, wished her good luck, and went on my way, wow was that incredible!</div>
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I must mention that this turtle is nesting only feet away from public campsites that thankfully have been closed for the season due to Sandy.</div>
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Back on the main bar at Cockenoe sits this Common Tern,</div>
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a close look...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLL698toBUD8PPEllec6ivzmtqbC2091xA9cm_xU1Ov9VZtvqRjIbK2vcwWEFp69a24ZsyMX0QHQASLTNJTx9l3eNROfFVCaJXHcxaKbD0NLV9f9tWcpwR3m_eFIgRz_YPvvwwvYIgQ/s1600/IMG_6163-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLL698toBUD8PPEllec6ivzmtqbC2091xA9cm_xU1Ov9VZtvqRjIbK2vcwWEFp69a24ZsyMX0QHQASLTNJTx9l3eNROfFVCaJXHcxaKbD0NLV9f9tWcpwR3m_eFIgRz_YPvvwwvYIgQ/s320/IMG_6163-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...shows a metal band, but not clear on the id numbers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l5Cg-2sFsObA___WaEMC3DLhsbtEQCHv4KmZPOPFDgDU3M_1a-yZHJ0PYIrwyqUaZfHBRu6y6DbLVG3zS-MH84iGNNcYajJzV1S5F7Q32ddOGvkLT6cqXPLElDxyP1fSwpIC1Iv9_g/s1600/IMG_6165-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l5Cg-2sFsObA___WaEMC3DLhsbtEQCHv4KmZPOPFDgDU3M_1a-yZHJ0PYIrwyqUaZfHBRu6y6DbLVG3zS-MH84iGNNcYajJzV1S5F7Q32ddOGvkLT6cqXPLElDxyP1fSwpIC1Iv9_g/s320/IMG_6165-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Behind the tern, oystercatchers are having a loud early morning squabble.</div>
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You fill in the Drakes words for this one? P.U?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8LWujIHH0KAcoR91PwVFQxzVx2v93HQ50eOriQz6VwwYjlIuHRDt1VpxgHJAT0wBYsOJLtsgUSsiyHiZoVNk9JG7ZEBi1_j1QmUsDYFfRi9vHTQdoGFA-49vBabEF3rjBuLz5ichxg/s1600/IMG_6186-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8LWujIHH0KAcoR91PwVFQxzVx2v93HQ50eOriQz6VwwYjlIuHRDt1VpxgHJAT0wBYsOJLtsgUSsiyHiZoVNk9JG7ZEBi1_j1QmUsDYFfRi9vHTQdoGFA-49vBabEF3rjBuLz5ichxg/s320/IMG_6186-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of only a few Least Terns sitting on nest</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhzG_OFa6vBgb6cbtUMUCDA4mm7_B65n4yMyaOE0iMip6UN9AtTM0odL7uGmQCxZMXGLprG73JWat2y_zcqKcoee1dU5YpRLXk5in5D0AZ6GN7G4XbuVfT6dKDdJN8Ta_cZYPF58q-A/s1600/IMG_6195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhzG_OFa6vBgb6cbtUMUCDA4mm7_B65n4yMyaOE0iMip6UN9AtTM0odL7uGmQCxZMXGLprG73JWat2y_zcqKcoee1dU5YpRLXk5in5D0AZ6GN7G4XbuVfT6dKDdJN8Ta_cZYPF58q-A/s320/IMG_6195.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Although I had a total count of five hundred Common Terns on the sand spit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2Wv_gUIuDTI85lmRJylDonGCUt2ycsu5z8fNaf6YUK-XrwEuwnZJvylNg_YJsYQniDfIo1pnqL7vSmhm-DWW3cCVGt16s8kfMQOO43N2oFqeQCmvkgHLjgfWIgYdmAn4A6TyZd-m5w/s1600/IMG_6202-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2Wv_gUIuDTI85lmRJylDonGCUt2ycsu5z8fNaf6YUK-XrwEuwnZJvylNg_YJsYQniDfIo1pnqL7vSmhm-DWW3cCVGt16s8kfMQOO43N2oFqeQCmvkgHLjgfWIgYdmAn4A6TyZd-m5w/s320/IMG_6202-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The green vegetation is slowly returning, this spot had been wiped clean by Sandy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPXYkGQ5bZTVgc83oitWcGYwaueO3Kwsm63X3l2dyCawReLPa8N8d3rR7JvajzBoj1yUfIo9Yke2TOZt5jUzA5nJzHceeg7AQdyS7jf_-u2F52XHCqLrtDCGLwWn2nh5stgIxAgHsUg/s1600/IMG_6204-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPXYkGQ5bZTVgc83oitWcGYwaueO3Kwsm63X3l2dyCawReLPa8N8d3rR7JvajzBoj1yUfIo9Yke2TOZt5jUzA5nJzHceeg7AQdyS7jf_-u2F52XHCqLrtDCGLwWn2nh5stgIxAgHsUg/s320/IMG_6204-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not Cool!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEdv6tfcBPveoy15nYxm2_BwV1n6asBpI_AQJ-FaQYDTemI3Dh3axeia4xbL9JeC-kO4Af3P4b1Crg5rCgr776xRVnXIpk9Ho3U-7_Z1t7X_kZFoCx1ZRQ5RBUFboWpjzixPD1B-xbg/s1600/IMG_6220-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEdv6tfcBPveoy15nYxm2_BwV1n6asBpI_AQJ-FaQYDTemI3Dh3axeia4xbL9JeC-kO4Af3P4b1Crg5rCgr776xRVnXIpk9Ho3U-7_Z1t7X_kZFoCx1ZRQ5RBUFboWpjzixPD1B-xbg/s320/IMG_6220-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Great Black-backed Gulls eggs are just hatching.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnP6wpSe21w2ESbxKQbHgji8doMIJMlWypoBS4OGSBb0uMuhiM0rM46jWkdS8sJM0jXuxOUxD5vtUPLw1e3WmjvcNOCzi7x43auoWqntg1Svu6pVTn_58a85BYTcz8KtoRa0OzeRlp_g/s1600/IMG_6225-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnP6wpSe21w2ESbxKQbHgji8doMIJMlWypoBS4OGSBb0uMuhiM0rM46jWkdS8sJM0jXuxOUxD5vtUPLw1e3WmjvcNOCzi7x43auoWqntg1Svu6pVTn_58a85BYTcz8KtoRa0OzeRlp_g/s320/IMG_6225-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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a few more chicks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1E-oesyygSnSadbd_YITEvRsnBhgK1ZJiF7dYPqFkxG-1lMk_BmUdfTskpoVQAgzPVWEyqoM0GW9yjPyxw9vZD-wxkaJHxzlP5sK6vUTojm6OgKAwWlr5M2OCpxFCD9caKKFcWL4fw/s1600/IMG_6135-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1E-oesyygSnSadbd_YITEvRsnBhgK1ZJiF7dYPqFkxG-1lMk_BmUdfTskpoVQAgzPVWEyqoM0GW9yjPyxw9vZD-wxkaJHxzlP5sK6vUTojm6OgKAwWlr5M2OCpxFCD9caKKFcWL4fw/s320/IMG_6135-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This Black Tern just finished a bath as I caught him preening on Cockenoe Island.</div>
Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-587490640739282262013-05-23T23:47:00.001-04:002013-05-23T23:47:35.780-04:00Norwalk CT Brown Booby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwgnw2f3DVJgl0iQLWm17R8TQv36jmAH_W9snwOgIHnr_-UQvo6mw4nXNxGAmGatQlTBrm8pQp1YcjLSSWZaCeXHK52jBu9157HnBtuNx4UK2RktUCV9g8Ih4zSrIPAUrWYcBeg3y7Q/s1600/IMG_6100-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwgnw2f3DVJgl0iQLWm17R8TQv36jmAH_W9snwOgIHnr_-UQvo6mw4nXNxGAmGatQlTBrm8pQp1YcjLSSWZaCeXHK52jBu9157HnBtuNx4UK2RktUCV9g8Ih4zSrIPAUrWYcBeg3y7Q/s320/IMG_6100-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Around 11:30 this morning I saw a post from Patrick Comins on CT BIRDS, about a Brown Booby that was spotted on a boat in Westport CT waters.</div>
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Several minutes later I received a phone call from Nick Bonomo alerting me about the Booby, moments later Patrick calls to tell me what he knows.</div>
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For those that don't know me, my boat is in the water year round and these waters have been my backyard for more then fifty years.</div>
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I started a search north of Cockenoe Island in Westport, the winds were Southwest near twenty and the seas were kicking up to that nasty two foot Long Island Sound chop, a wave about every second.</div>
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With the dropping tide I did not want to test the rocks on the south side of the islands, so I took the safe way in calmer seas, passing north and then east of Cockenoe, I spotted a few Double-crested Cormorants along the way that made me take a closer look.</div>
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With the rocking and rolling I did not want to venture further and started returning to Cockenoe to see what was happening with the terns and oystercatchers.</div>
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I watched from a distance as one oystercatcher pair had its hands full with five Fish Crows while trying to protect thier nest. Further on I did find one Oystercatcher hatchling, other adults mating and others on nest, at least three hundred Common Terns on or near the Cockenoe Sandbar, several Black terns, can't say I saw or heard a Least.</div>
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Back to the Booby.</div>
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Weather is coming my way so I decide to head back to port, as I start to head north into Norwalk Harbor I see rain in front of me so I decide to hang out a bit and wait for it to pass. I decide to go over to the Norwalk Power Plant and check out the many new Osprey nest.</div>
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On my way I come across what I initially think is a Common Loon in the water trying to swallow a fish, as I pass the bird I see that I'm very wrong .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hsDCXyeNx-Qe86KS2iMTcJGsl0IoPRxfA5KWYs_4oI1OLt7vbcLDT1hLKNgK2KAQDlL8Tnif81NwmOR6PiBg5NJA2XZOLKXOZt-w-_5dv4dniHH6VSKAoHa9MZC7y5VMsc582nH-5g/s1600/IMG_5970-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hsDCXyeNx-Qe86KS2iMTcJGsl0IoPRxfA5KWYs_4oI1OLt7vbcLDT1hLKNgK2KAQDlL8Tnif81NwmOR6PiBg5NJA2XZOLKXOZt-w-_5dv4dniHH6VSKAoHa9MZC7y5VMsc582nH-5g/s320/IMG_5970-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's the Brown Booby attempting to eat an Atlantic Menhaden.</div>
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I'm sorry about this photo, but in my haste to grab my camera I accidentally turned it to a really bad setting and over exposed it.</div>
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Soon the bird took flight and flew off to a harbor light, at this time Nick and friends were on his boat watching this happen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEd6VL-2aPjokH3Nd3eqU5tk3xhhVx7TRss-Z2aTCkQ7V85w-37Otiv4kC3JgyfOyahVauAUfYyAzEEVigsWseZhU7W2qDt0T744Id7ymyWCQSj6HPvt8__vQnCRFcky0THh0Bl_gfg/s1600/IMG_6023-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEd6VL-2aPjokH3Nd3eqU5tk3xhhVx7TRss-Z2aTCkQ7V85w-37Otiv4kC3JgyfOyahVauAUfYyAzEEVigsWseZhU7W2qDt0T744Id7ymyWCQSj6HPvt8__vQnCRFcky0THh0Bl_gfg/s320/IMG_6023-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On the Harbor Light</div>
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Another look.</div>
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<img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJESY9fwKXRUPlUxCdFHcbLVQdnvycK2E56CunMBcmI2zV7PrLdxfePD8NXhHO-iBs5SB4_HhTixcMFfrvucT0KI3r-V6NvO7vkWvRM44aZyTztK6Ma-IoJ7eOZe3BIIm7kT9aerlyFw/s320/IMG_6027.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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After twenty or so minutes it flew over to Calf Pasture Beach, where it was mobbed by Gulls.</div>
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The booby headed east, we lost sight but headed in that direction.</div>
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I had to stop in choppy waters for this potential booby, still some Common Loons in the area.</div>
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We couldn't resight the bird, so with weather again at our doorstep, I headed back up the harbor and fast.</div>
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When I came close to my marina, I again saw gulls mobbing something, I figured this one out right away. </div>
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It was the booby trying to escape the gulls, it headed over to my marina and set down on a friends boat.</div>
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I never thought lightning could strike my boat twice in the same day, but wow!</div>
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Here he is, and he (she) seems to have no fear of me.</div>
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This bird had been reported perching on several working oysterboats today.</div>
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It had no problem posing</div>
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After a few minutes it flew off towards Veterans Park in East Norwalk</div>
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Where it was met again,</div>
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by some angry gulls.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatauCYSYx7ZgkUew2MloBA0XQGoxW5oAhLPko-9tquA285XYSKDbBmHwf3eREaRKmZXiZciLzkO_JeveMeTFlMAaq1qKrZwGKURqVCll_uCmSrbaS9LQ-DpTT3qOtkZGUAf_pFtKIBw/s1600/IMG_6083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatauCYSYx7ZgkUew2MloBA0XQGoxW5oAhLPko-9tquA285XYSKDbBmHwf3eREaRKmZXiZciLzkO_JeveMeTFlMAaq1qKrZwGKURqVCll_uCmSrbaS9LQ-DpTT3qOtkZGUAf_pFtKIBw/s320/IMG_6083.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So what does a Brown Booby do when being attacked by mobbing gulls?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikV_lYDCleV0J6Dp22bl6aqIkXAlI4FdOyPpufgGDg_8OB9Hx_IaaOTlBTGHlKQ6wRRHO-4kb8pVlrOWEssMXUWEotvmpNDfPc8oSetTpC6m1dsNuUL9a5XhkKZ1oDJ01-0dWlecZ8NQ/s1600/IMG_6085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikV_lYDCleV0J6Dp22bl6aqIkXAlI4FdOyPpufgGDg_8OB9Hx_IaaOTlBTGHlKQ6wRRHO-4kb8pVlrOWEssMXUWEotvmpNDfPc8oSetTpC6m1dsNuUL9a5XhkKZ1oDJ01-0dWlecZ8NQ/s320/IMG_6085.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Land on the nearest boat.</div>
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In this case, that was my boat!</div>
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So now I have a new friend onboard that is only a few feet away.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kifYySwsGv7fD33Ew4hChFuT8MenFKLYwxzRb1fYT0bLTh7D67UeStOI-JRVZdzEwbNfpaIrEDeLdmV6rbHFAvoy9mLnAJ_T3QL2Z6xC9njTeDvcsDrtEa9lqXTI-SjXyGSeojv4Ww/s1600/IMG_6106-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kifYySwsGv7fD33Ew4hChFuT8MenFKLYwxzRb1fYT0bLTh7D67UeStOI-JRVZdzEwbNfpaIrEDeLdmV6rbHFAvoy9mLnAJ_T3QL2Z6xC9njTeDvcsDrtEa9lqXTI-SjXyGSeojv4Ww/s320/IMG_6106-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Back at the dock, it was not shy in the least, if fact it was very friendly, walking closer and closer to me. Perhaps it is used to getting handouts?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFK274zsY9F0OgMZiSSsBmOsjZ5ojodAd75vigTw4-vdjN1yNgC58o0Mv_fn4ioZtF3cwuuIxNq7E61J0qjOhk1NN9jy_-cAaEzshTlafpClPReCpWVEzLdCu6Z9jMYFYXP5FcHNES_g/s1600/IMG_6107-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFK274zsY9F0OgMZiSSsBmOsjZ5ojodAd75vigTw4-vdjN1yNgC58o0Mv_fn4ioZtF3cwuuIxNq7E61J0qjOhk1NN9jy_-cAaEzshTlafpClPReCpWVEzLdCu6Z9jMYFYXP5FcHNES_g/s320/IMG_6107-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Frank Gallo did his best to get some sardines for him, but for no apparent reason it flew off.</div>
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We could not resight this bird.</div>
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Hopefully Tomorrow!</div>
<span id="goog_54537554"></span><span id="goog_54537555"></span><br />Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-33918622671256781082013-02-06T01:29:00.000-05:002013-02-06T01:29:01.326-05:00Sandy vs Norwalk Islands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHl1ymZenE1tsY10lraDlOLixEeM52hcAjhzisNE3UhqORHmd0bObB-muFqHdaE2q0YxPv-2aHhL6ZKIBLQM8r7GddCtGGjUw0eVBGyZNKDxUkNVVEr4zkCL7MVvU7FHNc0MgNIC6dw/s1600/IMG_4368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHl1ymZenE1tsY10lraDlOLixEeM52hcAjhzisNE3UhqORHmd0bObB-muFqHdaE2q0YxPv-2aHhL6ZKIBLQM8r7GddCtGGjUw0eVBGyZNKDxUkNVVEr4zkCL7MVvU7FHNc0MgNIC6dw/s320/IMG_4368.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Superstorm Sandy brought major damage to the Tri-State area, we have been well informed on that, but lets not forget the Norwalk Islands.</div>
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This early 1900's stone shack that stood proudly on Goose Island has been shattered by Sandy.</div>
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She saw many hurricanes and storms before, but could not bear the wrath of this incredible storm.</div>
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Above, is a current photo, her roof is torn apart as are her massive two foot walls and foundation.</div>
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Incredibly her NWR sign still stands, thankfully it was on the lee side of the storm.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnP3omaPYZ1yW-oIzEtk94tTx_nJBCFyUDni8fTFfYiW6e_1WDP5TTi4q82avfnD8-BsIqKSgLJr5bNJ_1bt196SBXdolzk7pJ67beV8zhm_s4NwAktQ-07oIjSR28BMsljnjiza6cQ/s1600/IMG_4661-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnP3omaPYZ1yW-oIzEtk94tTx_nJBCFyUDni8fTFfYiW6e_1WDP5TTi4q82avfnD8-BsIqKSgLJr5bNJ_1bt196SBXdolzk7pJ67beV8zhm_s4NwAktQ-07oIjSR28BMsljnjiza6cQ/s320/IMG_4661-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Below, looking from the east, is the shack with it's Double-crested Cormorant Breeding Area that swells to many hundreds, perhaps over one thousand Cormorants in nesting season.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JX7YIa4qYHE6Z7P_JiPK1cSvq7xduD_hxRoYUg3AfM08Pf7QWowtA0eLiIyrzc8uQVHkZePThI1pgzR1nX4v-N7U-BvCASE_abHaZ-3A4GqccAUxDU_3dncvw_qPqtPK7M8fT6ZmGQ/s1600/IMG_0733-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JX7YIa4qYHE6Z7P_JiPK1cSvq7xduD_hxRoYUg3AfM08Pf7QWowtA0eLiIyrzc8uQVHkZePThI1pgzR1nX4v-N7U-BvCASE_abHaZ-3A4GqccAUxDU_3dncvw_qPqtPK7M8fT6ZmGQ/s320/IMG_0733-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTp8gH8Zr3IyDiNo55iBCF1fx5H1tXpXWNVC2KvYVha2H1n1YUgvc-OzzWrNKDl3FwSP1qQ9ydUd2r6IFoickVIxWcuhSIlBGDePgplxOp5brJehyz5lKooBdJZfwgDzx4_w2NhyphenhyphenuYxQ/s1600/IMG_4376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTp8gH8Zr3IyDiNo55iBCF1fx5H1tXpXWNVC2KvYVha2H1n1YUgvc-OzzWrNKDl3FwSP1qQ9ydUd2r6IFoickVIxWcuhSIlBGDePgplxOp5brJehyz5lKooBdJZfwgDzx4_w2NhyphenhyphenuYxQ/s320/IMG_4376.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In this post Sandy photo, along with the ruins of the 100 year old shack, almost all vegetation was wiped clean of the island.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetEPfxCsIUtwjG9VQ5dlkAqrmA6qkDYSxXS61Gnl7fct-GO1kL8IOob1DrO0kcyGmoA3OSKolavwjROQJbhGuKYlLAcZUi0fZkeWUHeVNXmeAgxmvY8Wpva8HbriSaMOq9Qvh_xrXLQ/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetEPfxCsIUtwjG9VQ5dlkAqrmA6qkDYSxXS61Gnl7fct-GO1kL8IOob1DrO0kcyGmoA3OSKolavwjROQJbhGuKYlLAcZUi0fZkeWUHeVNXmeAgxmvY8Wpva8HbriSaMOq9Qvh_xrXLQ/s320/IMG_0277.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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All shell and vegetation that the Gulls,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeA5asE6Mq-_o2_c9z4sOWMjLmTnrT8L1aGNR5Sv2yPjPt4rUH3oLm5ABJtK9466a-dOMC6x7gqctyw3zL_SlbGFjZ_08VzZCwP2oiVw_B8IexUC63W-IQbll6TkdH_X4tNFbRrYW8A/s1600/IMG_0160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeA5asE6Mq-_o2_c9z4sOWMjLmTnrT8L1aGNR5Sv2yPjPt4rUH3oLm5ABJtK9466a-dOMC6x7gqctyw3zL_SlbGFjZ_08VzZCwP2oiVw_B8IexUC63W-IQbll6TkdH_X4tNFbRrYW8A/s320/IMG_0160.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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and Cormorant nested upon has been washed into Long Island Sound</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu00KhPdWATjovwLLr0vSMTharj6dI1_BEfjgYfRizmMoz3548ctSmrrHf3OD49stoPGaM37MOcgAEGKS9GuNjNYFdjcZvQjtLqkL81CUPhyW_byjaMU5D1kDEz784ot3-KV8fdSmzVg/s1600/IMG_7276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu00KhPdWATjovwLLr0vSMTharj6dI1_BEfjgYfRizmMoz3548ctSmrrHf3OD49stoPGaM37MOcgAEGKS9GuNjNYFdjcZvQjtLqkL81CUPhyW_byjaMU5D1kDEz784ot3-KV8fdSmzVg/s320/IMG_7276.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a photo of a Snowy Owl on Goose Island. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu34WlACJ3RTd7Ayl6Jh6fUCkLp0xHsaml7xTbt_ronrSlYj11ZDveh3H3ZYnR4RjcQa_xlqXojPW9d95M71uuTk3lU9eFI4efVS0Bi-KBuM5WPK9Y1ic5LZvRyHwq9pV_tgzlNxjNNQ/s1600/IMG_4371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu34WlACJ3RTd7Ayl6Jh6fUCkLp0xHsaml7xTbt_ronrSlYj11ZDveh3H3ZYnR4RjcQa_xlqXojPW9d95M71uuTk3lU9eFI4efVS0Bi-KBuM5WPK9Y1ic5LZvRyHwq9pV_tgzlNxjNNQ/s320/IMG_4371.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is the same area, just a few degrees east, the shell, sand and most vegetation are washed away.</div>
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Hopefully this will fill in again, a few species of breeding birds are also hoping for the same.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0GD-0F7UHhX1oHm1VVkl_w_wDiMwMvW_TivC7bYdPKfnBpKEo-K4pEzuq9ATk0zIB4MQqBpUYJ9qes0wDn1Axzo35RY6ivPOUjwrVg-j7NhwICTTDt8VA7siwTRM83xO-PJlx2iMaA/s1600/IMG_5596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0GD-0F7UHhX1oHm1VVkl_w_wDiMwMvW_TivC7bYdPKfnBpKEo-K4pEzuq9ATk0zIB4MQqBpUYJ9qes0wDn1Axzo35RY6ivPOUjwrVg-j7NhwICTTDt8VA7siwTRM83xO-PJlx2iMaA/s320/IMG_5596.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On to Cockenoe Island, this is the South West area, pre Sandy view.</div>
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This is the Heron Rookery Area</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJC1dZWLA1VPzbW3bEtliOCGmBI1Dy8-ak0KCMz1kjSRchMOFm9xI0HqyUOOh0iPaBEMZhwpSFEgjVcKAdVeFZFJM0Nihuup6GxdXZiIWMVyKmNubXeeLdsklzD8-allVnlQUe0_Gdtw/s1600/IMG_4382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJC1dZWLA1VPzbW3bEtliOCGmBI1Dy8-ak0KCMz1kjSRchMOFm9xI0HqyUOOh0iPaBEMZhwpSFEgjVcKAdVeFZFJM0Nihuup6GxdXZiIWMVyKmNubXeeLdsklzD8-allVnlQUe0_Gdtw/s320/IMG_4382.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Same area on Cockenoe, post Sandy. The mass erosion is very evident.</div>
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Thankfully, this erosion didn't touch the Heron nesting area.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoqta9W4IxlAsr26MeiCxRAQvRQZO-XCaS3C8Ohe7b31dXpCJ8FQVkpWDL-ArRRAhWhHKvoXf6Yq3OoQXXw9dXPYrQG89dx5LByvMXAngZzQmBe277ezCbGfE0LCQL03MaerEHwacuw/s1600/IMG_8202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoqta9W4IxlAsr26MeiCxRAQvRQZO-XCaS3C8Ohe7b31dXpCJ8FQVkpWDL-ArRRAhWhHKvoXf6Yq3OoQXXw9dXPYrQG89dx5LByvMXAngZzQmBe277ezCbGfE0LCQL03MaerEHwacuw/s320/IMG_8202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Southeast side of Cockenoe, pre Sandy, note the trees and flagpole location plus the slope of the terrain</div>
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Same area, post Sandy, here we see major erosion, the slope is now a cliff, several trees have fallen from the erosion and the flagpole has become very close to the edge. </div>
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There is no need for me to mention the Tern nesting bar on this island, it has eroded further and it can not longer be considered a viable nesting area since it will be submerged on many spring and early summer high tides.</div>
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Hopefully a few new nesting areas may arise in the island chain.</div>
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Will we be ready?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSs5x5DmGB4hUXFlG9gGHSXn4GReecGp-VKtxsRgAYIAJ-vjYbSGC8aqYjDhJGHxleEw7DOKhaq1ysiSP5aqy-rV02tHAp9_gK6OwPTBrcqACIWwrvgnN57iRbYTZjS_v8W0bxnzU1lg/s1600/IMG_4352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSs5x5DmGB4hUXFlG9gGHSXn4GReecGp-VKtxsRgAYIAJ-vjYbSGC8aqYjDhJGHxleEw7DOKhaq1ysiSP5aqy-rV02tHAp9_gK6OwPTBrcqACIWwrvgnN57iRbYTZjS_v8W0bxnzU1lg/s320/IMG_4352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A few other scenes, this is the shack on Sheffield Island.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7r_O5goQ-i9uckvfXi52SFcviNZigrMicDfjwFBrANAtlqZ8nj7vALgrYz0CxtrLjPSVlMdtH4Dq6gZ9t2JGV02UOrq-Zsj3MpXmRSqU-HPw95Q62gp6VGXEz8y3X3X2-JdKfT2CJQ/s1600/IMG_4795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7r_O5goQ-i9uckvfXi52SFcviNZigrMicDfjwFBrANAtlqZ8nj7vALgrYz0CxtrLjPSVlMdtH4Dq6gZ9t2JGV02UOrq-Zsj3MpXmRSqU-HPw95Q62gp6VGXEz8y3X3X2-JdKfT2CJQ/s320/IMG_4795.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Uprooted trees and shrubs encompass the whole southern shore of the island chain.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNCqb33r-RsoPhremoE-UOLvv6sk6O15r5XRPA9Jo5bTyLr4xFd28L_xHa4d1jB0D7SuvYALjk-fGUL5HzkemzVv1PllnlxR5agGQvOaYm5Z9c_2mVQjRwdsnbHYa0YRO4mIUBUIs4Q/s1600/IMG_4797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNCqb33r-RsoPhremoE-UOLvv6sk6O15r5XRPA9Jo5bTyLr4xFd28L_xHa4d1jB0D7SuvYALjk-fGUL5HzkemzVv1PllnlxR5agGQvOaYm5Z9c_2mVQjRwdsnbHYa0YRO4mIUBUIs4Q/s320/IMG_4797.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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some more</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuleIYOH5MR8n0igco3jByGV8YRTf2F067ynxuwvhBm6Mcka8w2Y_jX47N1Kk-4bbr-8R1Uml2aVNfu6yQIZeIGvquATL2NIAK_05KDbcNqx6EFLoM4ZJ4cmynk-pDT_TZtvPWt45Blg/s1600/IMG_4803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuleIYOH5MR8n0igco3jByGV8YRTf2F067ynxuwvhBm6Mcka8w2Y_jX47N1Kk-4bbr-8R1Uml2aVNfu6yQIZeIGvquATL2NIAK_05KDbcNqx6EFLoM4ZJ4cmynk-pDT_TZtvPWt45Blg/s320/IMG_4803.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and more</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcYeywz4Mj67QGYzrxrbs6YLPCFN73wDFsCGi64NyMFN1vRviw1HkEnNH7loeTNt23qbBmGfvgYF5bzh1nD25Umtp7HjFL7jtx69dXY3cx2atqAEOW4d04PNNFKZJdZnIwGBIF6JXTQ/s1600/IMG_4757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcYeywz4Mj67QGYzrxrbs6YLPCFN73wDFsCGi64NyMFN1vRviw1HkEnNH7loeTNt23qbBmGfvgYF5bzh1nD25Umtp7HjFL7jtx69dXY3cx2atqAEOW4d04PNNFKZJdZnIwGBIF6JXTQ/s320/IMG_4757.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This Razorbill, that we found in Norwalk Harbor, before the beach and close to Cove Marina</div>
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doesn't seem to give a dang about any of this!</div>
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" O bla de, o bla da life goes on..." Lennon & McCartnyLarry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-36665422848275295052012-06-09T13:04:00.003-04:002012-06-09T13:04:52.786-04:00Flooded Cockenoe Island Nest Site.<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDqxxxWNXRwvcuZT_C6eQDTEvi_MpgnOZ4D2WWuekj2VfKSmGWz2avd2MSnqYr4SL3HUm7FkCwXMf3E-kXGrDL6eoEKemJWdPuUOKop1kuJ82pjN1XM02ILaDF5vJ5CZk5YE7U0cTPg/s1600/IMG_2943-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDqxxxWNXRwvcuZT_C6eQDTEvi_MpgnOZ4D2WWuekj2VfKSmGWz2avd2MSnqYr4SL3HUm7FkCwXMf3E-kXGrDL6eoEKemJWdPuUOKop1kuJ82pjN1XM02ILaDF5vJ5CZk5YE7U0cTPg/s320/IMG_2943-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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06/03/12</div>
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An 8.95ft high tide rises on the Cockenoe Island Sand Spit at 23:02, a few friends and I were there by boat to witness the event.</div>
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Previous to this tide there were 600 plus Common Terns on this small sand spit with about 150-200 nest.</div>
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Damage may have already happened from almost as high of tides, plus severe weather the day or so before. I was not there to see that, so this is what I found. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeMpKrSL_2Zze_shRajrqS2XVJMUXRFhd8AkXs1PCpB-0KN9CgM_Rj89rm7pZWoGt_Cy98N-ObzNGKJD2FPcvlmcM47A9-_rcpYrD5AHZ09mt6eoCiFAF-95eG_0PBvEAzreYpDC-Og/s1600/IMG_2991-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeMpKrSL_2Zze_shRajrqS2XVJMUXRFhd8AkXs1PCpB-0KN9CgM_Rj89rm7pZWoGt_Cy98N-ObzNGKJD2FPcvlmcM47A9-_rcpYrD5AHZ09mt6eoCiFAF-95eG_0PBvEAzreYpDC-Og/s320/IMG_2991-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The USFW signs are now well below the tide line,there is little beach front left for the terns and oystercatchers.Many eggs are lost with this tide.</div>
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The terns settle on whatever land is left, perhaps crushing the eggs that survived the tide? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0DkMALEWmTvAoHqUDutbbeEN4cXN2mfzvN9HWmhEv-eIL_Pk6XOMezXgOG0YmzThnkQ3z0Vy4yvigSWUxw0kjwGRN2hTZY4DJjn_hbQuu05PFuxWsS4FnM41gYTe5_WjXdyYf33TLA/s1600/IMG_3005-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0DkMALEWmTvAoHqUDutbbeEN4cXN2mfzvN9HWmhEv-eIL_Pk6XOMezXgOG0YmzThnkQ3z0Vy4yvigSWUxw0kjwGRN2hTZY4DJjn_hbQuu05PFuxWsS4FnM41gYTe5_WjXdyYf33TLA/s320/IMG_3005-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Returning by boat a day later, the terns were gone...600 strong and they were just gone.<br />
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Hopefully, they will renest somewhere else in a much safer place and do well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oSmi4renSGeGl1exVKvhzfmJLQyv5lGB6878IKiK7MlriKDu0pwaq5t0Xp1xJywD_YIZqDd5qwRLy5eUVaNjwqVLgXbWIVrw_izy859E8zFmhmyQTMuq9KmVF7Uj1NkLUNMhwQXnWA/s1600/IMG_3004-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oSmi4renSGeGl1exVKvhzfmJLQyv5lGB6878IKiK7MlriKDu0pwaq5t0Xp1xJywD_YIZqDd5qwRLy5eUVaNjwqVLgXbWIVrw_izy859E8zFmhmyQTMuq9KmVF7Uj1NkLUNMhwQXnWA/s320/IMG_3004-1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Several warning signs also also lost to the tides and sea.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxb0VPYCnq07ZeAro1FRApoUiauM4RtE8axaH11ssCDn8p92YawiN01l0GJq72oetdaWw4B-8x10XkELNOd7Xxc2oh6UAElW35Ed1thmIGQHoYuuvUj7t_rd98EQZ8T83SvYMcS6qLQ/s1600/IMG_3014-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxb0VPYCnq07ZeAro1FRApoUiauM4RtE8axaH11ssCDn8p92YawiN01l0GJq72oetdaWw4B-8x10XkELNOd7Xxc2oh6UAElW35Ed1thmIGQHoYuuvUj7t_rd98EQZ8T83SvYMcS6qLQ/s320/IMG_3014-1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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On the main island, I happened on this resting Black Skimmer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUp6vq_dTWkdJMOrejpRyCeUw2ORFHbXKLLderR9orad4mS8SjrIYgjkMTQcyhLMKs6fEV266veo1JwUulB9_JQ8IWBP_M_lqEzz1gbB53cp4cQljXx9ZvpyB2ZMrqz7BvDrxUr72oA/s1600/IMG_3022-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUp6vq_dTWkdJMOrejpRyCeUw2ORFHbXKLLderR9orad4mS8SjrIYgjkMTQcyhLMKs6fEV266veo1JwUulB9_JQ8IWBP_M_lqEzz1gbB53cp4cQljXx9ZvpyB2ZMrqz7BvDrxUr72oA/s320/IMG_3022-1.jpg" width="320" /></a> <br />
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Plus this young American Oystercatcher, he or she also had a sibling that I missed in the photo.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fGOpbAXFUgBPo2cSULLdLDg-bTNxLiF4e5PeC6ksiBqJIc60eyVMHmJKsyapi2z9cN4fpwuDN6TQDGCGm-soHjjgsNFIW26N9M9fGOx8zfn3aN35fCtRHOI3QiNo_APwxxnxjhO4_w/s1600/IMG_3025-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fGOpbAXFUgBPo2cSULLdLDg-bTNxLiF4e5PeC6ksiBqJIc60eyVMHmJKsyapi2z9cN4fpwuDN6TQDGCGm-soHjjgsNFIW26N9M9fGOx8zfn3aN35fCtRHOI3QiNo_APwxxnxjhO4_w/s320/IMG_3025-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now take a very good look at this Oystercatcher, it has an inordinary amount of legs, eight legs in total!</div>
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Click on the photo to enlarge it.</div>
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Three chicks huddled in momma's feathers! </div>
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Do you see them?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6xzhFFXG3gq0ctp68HxdpF8Q1VGf3jrootZBEinJq6RbPMMtwClqMDrgW6ALBMQtPTQxqZwTte6lbNQGqUCS4AE9xQJJBT4ZanYJhryYRs4Q-mptbrkdeups8hdGgfNgImggDSO4jA/s1600/IMG_3027-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6xzhFFXG3gq0ctp68HxdpF8Q1VGf3jrootZBEinJq6RbPMMtwClqMDrgW6ALBMQtPTQxqZwTte6lbNQGqUCS4AE9xQJJBT4ZanYJhryYRs4Q-mptbrkdeups8hdGgfNgImggDSO4jA/s320/IMG_3027-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another AMOY chick along the shoreline.</div>
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As beautiful as these deer are, how many bird eggs do they smash on the islands while they are browsing?</div>
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This deer was very close to the above Oystercatcher chicks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQLwT7UGPjrpQFfAAK5YfbH3qYthCSFbmW2pjWISO9j6GJIUxc58yVGBTf1q6NzCwVlHPoHOc-VcRsgTqxUWFdk7aKkvzPuR0sR6JBkSbedPZU72fw8U_FFj86dygpXWIcj3seDlWTA/s1600/IMG_3079-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-R2xaHthdv4_40nzZMpaNg0vBBFrzv5Ep3za-hXCkCuWhhO9SthaAdM0IzdLM4AJ_77y1IW6HmoVxQCOOtgZX8b-qc_bqEnWtUbLfSBfX1CC2UJjbayU31Q8x7d0wSJMzewwMD6XLQ/s1600/IMG_3045-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-R2xaHthdv4_40nzZMpaNg0vBBFrzv5Ep3za-hXCkCuWhhO9SthaAdM0IzdLM4AJ_77y1IW6HmoVxQCOOtgZX8b-qc_bqEnWtUbLfSBfX1CC2UJjbayU31Q8x7d0wSJMzewwMD6XLQ/s320/IMG_3045-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Peck Ledge Lighthouse.</div>
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She took a beating in last years storms, the deck railing is gone on the south east side.</div>
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But something new has been added.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ji5TSWUe56Pp2_C77gVBgzLsx5HgiquHhi6jz65nGX_dqqNeyypl5toXe7oBTu4l2LeREBOQAeDpgrD91ML8AxDpZ5JwAR5fjzng0zsIWzBSu82rPc0N_nvTt0FXxFulMWZN7UCLEA/s1600/IMG_3048-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ji5TSWUe56Pp2_C77gVBgzLsx5HgiquHhi6jz65nGX_dqqNeyypl5toXe7oBTu4l2LeREBOQAeDpgrD91ML8AxDpZ5JwAR5fjzng0zsIWzBSu82rPc0N_nvTt0FXxFulMWZN7UCLEA/s320/IMG_3048-1.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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Mr. Osprey has a nest, I haven't seen the Mrs. but will keep an eye out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikC_4JcIAyNriVyGZEkLqIHUnX2v-K59is0Dl2pGWRa-gIFjiHdhXHkGPWmk7Urg_h15ybv6w59oIGaHq9w5TimP2C_Ge9zx_xWRJkCMU4JG7oPk4cDzmIC_bgFCvGDOeWJ9hH1n0ljA/s1600/IMG_3064-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikC_4JcIAyNriVyGZEkLqIHUnX2v-K59is0Dl2pGWRa-gIFjiHdhXHkGPWmk7Urg_h15ybv6w59oIGaHq9w5TimP2C_Ge9zx_xWRJkCMU4JG7oPk4cDzmIC_bgFCvGDOeWJ9hH1n0ljA/s320/IMG_3064-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Over to Goose Island, the Great Black-backed Gull chicks are running about.</div>
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<img border="0" fba="true" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQLwT7UGPjrpQFfAAK5YfbH3qYthCSFbmW2pjWISO9j6GJIUxc58yVGBTf1q6NzCwVlHPoHOc-VcRsgTqxUWFdk7aKkvzPuR0sR6JBkSbedPZU72fw8U_FFj86dygpXWIcj3seDlWTA/s320/IMG_3079-1.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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QT's</div>
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They are quite a sight!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oNKdNdeFZov_Av_Mw5ptylOwMg1q8N5MJwXGgosyoS0NnZafL2FwKV6DIJFc5jF1nWfr_LNIlSDULsbfBq7KKqvdMQ_yrZ0pfibpYUzJCShptXXP5ElNT-DwIG-tqaOFRCIzzG8wog/s1600/IMG_3072-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oNKdNdeFZov_Av_Mw5ptylOwMg1q8N5MJwXGgosyoS0NnZafL2FwKV6DIJFc5jF1nWfr_LNIlSDULsbfBq7KKqvdMQ_yrZ0pfibpYUzJCShptXXP5ElNT-DwIG-tqaOFRCIzzG8wog/s320/IMG_3072-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I look forward to photographing this hatch every year.</div>
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<br /></div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-46079102393756719472012-04-25T23:23:00.000-04:002012-04-25T23:41:09.319-04:00Ibis and Coyote<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbSpqa1QGpKxxMEux3oX_7KkLD19NiEuiVP0TfnbpFk3IgWxUAxDBSkH3RFwea5k2uLJM3HHYHMPzkhqfts15kfb508rdISeTYDp7QVSc8h5jlXiJb32PIvOCX3dQCvXWs9c9NPDZkg/s1600/IMG_2567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbSpqa1QGpKxxMEux3oX_7KkLD19NiEuiVP0TfnbpFk3IgWxUAxDBSkH3RFwea5k2uLJM3HHYHMPzkhqfts15kfb508rdISeTYDp7QVSc8h5jlXiJb32PIvOCX3dQCvXWs9c9NPDZkg/s320/IMG_2567.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today I stopped to photograph a pair of Glossy Ibis at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, CT. </div>
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This pair were feeding in a rain pool near the model airplane field.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2wwLq9uGR1RbUjJAPsBm6SgpPdp40ObCT9cWpCl19o8xVSkIyNYLb-p2TSj-4HYppKtWETYWzuIeBKYj5ORv-jGlK6wYitxicr5NEDQuhk4yPPAF7pP-V8wCUQWUVTQDi9jTUF0tQQ/s1600/IMG_2568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2wwLq9uGR1RbUjJAPsBm6SgpPdp40ObCT9cWpCl19o8xVSkIyNYLb-p2TSj-4HYppKtWETYWzuIeBKYj5ORv-jGlK6wYitxicr5NEDQuhk4yPPAF7pP-V8wCUQWUVTQDi9jTUF0tQQ/s320/IMG_2568.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Suddenly their demeanor changed, they stopped feeding and focused on something nearby. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZrO9-3TVOlpJL19Ik2rJ1NCgRgpBrLqhLzXm7XbOFU1-r5hyphenhyphenUxO1vTR7fgo7ah9JXWmRICEURCrn8I1ER6PvJT9i5W6EiOM4m1HoC63IyH_M64UdwN5tr2INEWEZEGLj9LpI1COqvw/s1600/IMG_2569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZrO9-3TVOlpJL19Ik2rJ1NCgRgpBrLqhLzXm7XbOFU1-r5hyphenhyphenUxO1vTR7fgo7ah9JXWmRICEURCrn8I1ER6PvJT9i5W6EiOM4m1HoC63IyH_M64UdwN5tr2INEWEZEGLj9LpI1COqvw/s320/IMG_2569.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A coyote had entered the scene</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zvRyFcBK2Ho3XviwLOHzGfNjwTbCQPkJDtAieDJ725yAPEISiL10HpbYHetz5JFveQ3IqF6NXwoknMaJOJtb_M7JfETkVsy43wf5kSxAd2fJBAkm8kXLKrRskxAgV73ygOwbtUBKPw/s1600/IMG_2572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zvRyFcBK2Ho3XviwLOHzGfNjwTbCQPkJDtAieDJ725yAPEISiL10HpbYHetz5JFveQ3IqF6NXwoknMaJOJtb_M7JfETkVsy43wf5kSxAd2fJBAkm8kXLKrRskxAgV73ygOwbtUBKPw/s320/IMG_2572.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Ibis watched the coyote as it passed by.</div>
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No harm was done and the Ibis only gave the coyote slight concern.</div>
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The coyote did flush a number of other birds along it's way, including at least four Willet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gBRCIj6Ko-RzKMdxoAXeFjNGihR_UjYRYfLSs7C-WtbURWRgGiJujH4IBigCdnd0Y1MxeSgJE7ALy34H-og7J3VFznlqi9276jvkpn7UVWsOFmiHqi4hxViEUhNUGAVDdckG0Q0KGA/s1600/IMG_2599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gBRCIj6Ko-RzKMdxoAXeFjNGihR_UjYRYfLSs7C-WtbURWRgGiJujH4IBigCdnd0Y1MxeSgJE7ALy34H-og7J3VFznlqi9276jvkpn7UVWsOFmiHqi4hxViEUhNUGAVDdckG0Q0KGA/s320/IMG_2599.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With the coyote no longer a threat, the bird to the right sat down in the water...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqf9O6MVy0KV4pcxh6nS37-vQf67lcglQTZwNw_AGxkJuAg6rVMXub5rL3MoPNxVmZZAXre8PlpCxE1zj_-CVXt8r73hhBKPQOzjlwsiL6gVkYyQ4haBD3a6h5dcBdppQvzXpddrQm4g/s1600/IMG_2602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqf9O6MVy0KV4pcxh6nS37-vQf67lcglQTZwNw_AGxkJuAg6rVMXub5rL3MoPNxVmZZAXre8PlpCxE1zj_-CVXt8r73hhBKPQOzjlwsiL6gVkYyQ4haBD3a6h5dcBdppQvzXpddrQm4g/s320/IMG_2602.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and entertained me with it's bathing antics.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwPGAp-5cpCrWziUa6F3guUSujAIggtBnNvCq49bdrvF5hfzTVks-xB_KTLr0tjNN03SwEIX8VbLh9dFZTp5w8uG7GMYIVC540HYlmGQbeepkarjKIRy81efQTJfcd60YfGMmd7Hlsw/s1600/IMG_2607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwPGAp-5cpCrWziUa6F3guUSujAIggtBnNvCq49bdrvF5hfzTVks-xB_KTLr0tjNN03SwEIX8VbLh9dFZTp5w8uG7GMYIVC540HYlmGQbeepkarjKIRy81efQTJfcd60YfGMmd7Hlsw/s320/IMG_2607.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Click on any of the photos to enlarge.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lvGii3YYxrpRX4xRX1iy9cFWAcp4JA7mEOAZ4wx_48y9tw-2TkMM7ALoAmB856NUZinEmS9MwqkYzycOfVIMyE06Sh2MZDYrqIp-E758yLYX8Ia1pKryMJqdPwlRsWsRma_eMhuBwQ/s1600/IMG_2609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lvGii3YYxrpRX4xRX1iy9cFWAcp4JA7mEOAZ4wx_48y9tw-2TkMM7ALoAmB856NUZinEmS9MwqkYzycOfVIMyE06Sh2MZDYrqIp-E758yLYX8Ia1pKryMJqdPwlRsWsRma_eMhuBwQ/s320/IMG_2609.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finished, it was time to dry off it's wings.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFKMx9QOVp6o2Q2o0COXzREHwRlO8cqLmiaJktLr0Nu_vQdaxH7wEZky433FDxJKMIk-WJ4C1_DN866e4xSKxHG9GgMXbUSptg6E5YQTtW_idxQxrkuMqRsvKW9A_QlST4ANcUBQPWA/s1600/IMG_2627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFKMx9QOVp6o2Q2o0COXzREHwRlO8cqLmiaJktLr0Nu_vQdaxH7wEZky433FDxJKMIk-WJ4C1_DN866e4xSKxHG9GgMXbUSptg6E5YQTtW_idxQxrkuMqRsvKW9A_QlST4ANcUBQPWA/s320/IMG_2627.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The second bird flew a few yards to another pool and enjoyed it's bath.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcVuzGapVSnN285oj3Qmgln5brwqqmMrhkANnErTsF89Nar2CXHEWvdWyGGf9lz9MVGNWeVg7tcxmbmwEQL2sVxeiSajfSQ7-le4SBaqGu6n7y40rCcB6bfEIPzEhHVcPqW0mqaIRTw/s1600/IMG_2642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcVuzGapVSnN285oj3Qmgln5brwqqmMrhkANnErTsF89Nar2CXHEWvdWyGGf9lz9MVGNWeVg7tcxmbmwEQL2sVxeiSajfSQ7-le4SBaqGu6n7y40rCcB6bfEIPzEhHVcPqW0mqaIRTw/s320/IMG_2642.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then flew back to join it's friend</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowww0Kjx-hoejXwls7huf_EDa2E7yM1g5wJCa5TqR-QadkUozJbK11nQq3TaGu3nxtZZDAgLCv3CS7jLao9AKzESe61-xNT65A6A-ctnnZyDJVq2mnNIsV7c9oz_HUojigF0jUzM1XA/s1600/IMG_2652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowww0Kjx-hoejXwls7huf_EDa2E7yM1g5wJCa5TqR-QadkUozJbK11nQq3TaGu3nxtZZDAgLCv3CS7jLao9AKzESe61-xNT65A6A-ctnnZyDJVq2mnNIsV7c9oz_HUojigF0jUzM1XA/s320/IMG_2652.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After a head scratch and wing flap...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2q6zfRqUhyDHSvUci2amT4TubGvTUIG5v2i97nzKHRlcqj-WdV_GNtz3Fjof0pcE4LVx8lSnSXedw3_TBsK-4DQCMX99hsq_cv-BTf27IaNlwIsSVLKz1EE3LLjWXra5ISM50fiZ7gw/s1600/IMG_2654-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2q6zfRqUhyDHSvUci2amT4TubGvTUIG5v2i97nzKHRlcqj-WdV_GNtz3Fjof0pcE4LVx8lSnSXedw3_TBsK-4DQCMX99hsq_cv-BTf27IaNlwIsSVLKz1EE3LLjWXra5ISM50fiZ7gw/s320/IMG_2654-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...they were gone.</div>
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I'm was lucky to show up when I did, everything was over and done in just a few minutes.</div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-18525506688891705572012-04-17T22:21:00.001-04:002012-04-17T22:34:44.850-04:00Thrashers thrashing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesXpGCdalA6CIYH0ZHpg_a8hEuHCbDnDRFJYOJnz14Vd0rMJVDcESY5mjWzuBVgDcyr4D0bsRGm5SluUS2O0M1rI23hAIjSUo8iIO7sbwf7-EtIBhzadKR4_wECMVldvyP817CdbTRw/s1600/IMG_2353-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesXpGCdalA6CIYH0ZHpg_a8hEuHCbDnDRFJYOJnz14Vd0rMJVDcESY5mjWzuBVgDcyr4D0bsRGm5SluUS2O0M1rI23hAIjSUo8iIO7sbwf7-EtIBhzadKR4_wECMVldvyP817CdbTRw/s320/IMG_2353-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For the past several mornings, we have had a Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) bathing in one of our backyard birdbaths.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This bird was very well aware of it's surroundings and was not easy to photograph, as it was very skittish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Behind an open house window, I was able to capture a few nice photographs of this bird.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswUUOXAFmuUpncWtnLEnSa9Pk-GpRmZy-Y9She5CDtqquyqIvJJUBQIv78VORd_NGHK24_ILWb1DSdg5-Mwdi7uEBjW6bvlSJfLTtDlVGxMWvSPcBye9IHgWHC7p5btv8nL-CCjaKnQ/s1600/IMG_2342-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswUUOXAFmuUpncWtnLEnSa9Pk-GpRmZy-Y9She5CDtqquyqIvJJUBQIv78VORd_NGHK24_ILWb1DSdg5-Mwdi7uEBjW6bvlSJfLTtDlVGxMWvSPcBye9IHgWHC7p5btv8nL-CCjaKnQ/s320/IMG_2342-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With great caution, the thrasher slowly approaches the bird bath, that is at ground level.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SBDIgw0R2rz26WNh57-yTSXhBtFfsx45ZAm76cMFhvQtpM401_Ea4ycBrm7UNSYRKNqGu0Nd6YnZOL1PszfkVtCiWj9zkPfaLmhw8QbaM0FyqB-3l6XP0EK8-GQeEKOGx6uUS6jZMw/s1600/IMG_2346-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SBDIgw0R2rz26WNh57-yTSXhBtFfsx45ZAm76cMFhvQtpM401_Ea4ycBrm7UNSYRKNqGu0Nd6YnZOL1PszfkVtCiWj9zkPfaLmhw8QbaM0FyqB-3l6XP0EK8-GQeEKOGx6uUS6jZMw/s320/IMG_2346-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a slow trip around the bath, it decides to step one foot in the water.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6yI9iCgdBGj_rp-1PxwzvaA6QrImXEZbreTkHUdXOjmMfnMzdpdAL6VNpJCI6KZBJ4QuG1ddbx_-5jBKPF62ImutDcecV5TZbFuPDwGSiNLgfQiFLgCpEWn-6nalgV85wZ4ANBmCcw/s1600/IMG_2348-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6yI9iCgdBGj_rp-1PxwzvaA6QrImXEZbreTkHUdXOjmMfnMzdpdAL6VNpJCI6KZBJ4QuG1ddbx_-5jBKPF62ImutDcecV5TZbFuPDwGSiNLgfQiFLgCpEWn-6nalgV85wZ4ANBmCcw/s320/IMG_2348-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then two feet, but it looks back at the window that I am photographing from with a bit of concern.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g3DZGVqDiJVqhdvsOAFQ1h53wdu8tQGUVBEo4-du3jC4rk_3083tLo3FpNUiIV51Us09tNw4Ka7Ztkc5DT4KLyRK4aoFGND7Ahg5v_c5hxIcmSF1ovGoID14NQhw8-QFRrPASXRM0w/s1600/IMG_2349-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g3DZGVqDiJVqhdvsOAFQ1h53wdu8tQGUVBEo4-du3jC4rk_3083tLo3FpNUiIV51Us09tNw4Ka7Ztkc5DT4KLyRK4aoFGND7Ahg5v_c5hxIcmSF1ovGoID14NQhw8-QFRrPASXRM0w/s320/IMG_2349-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, what the heck, time for a splash!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvF8Rxsf7-z7XPwp1N7bL3t6CWVfy7E7JTy2T751d12oKfd2okBUOaRxsd3wPKlfADMiP-i334avD8kOam4-igzonUvbDmCHst3Wq5arLN8vyhD70ZL4iNcwHVHObMUHF-yLHzqBmQUQ/s1600/IMG_2353-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvF8Rxsf7-z7XPwp1N7bL3t6CWVfy7E7JTy2T751d12oKfd2okBUOaRxsd3wPKlfADMiP-i334avD8kOam4-igzonUvbDmCHst3Wq5arLN8vyhD70ZL4iNcwHVHObMUHF-yLHzqBmQUQ/s320/IMG_2353-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Checking me out again, with tail resting on the water.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50lHK7Hlfv_fWV3lGQLUlAppBP-eh7fF_zj3vJdRjl6JxuOoHq0Zo5Yl9SvBf_PiFIW8oEByPwgzP9rjDdCAksMDuh4g5CmWC2V6KVCXKlYnRwuTtJgvL2Mb05pr06jAfULh24nBlhw/s1600/IMG_2354-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50lHK7Hlfv_fWV3lGQLUlAppBP-eh7fF_zj3vJdRjl6JxuOoHq0Zo5Yl9SvBf_PiFIW8oEByPwgzP9rjDdCAksMDuh4g5CmWC2V6KVCXKlYnRwuTtJgvL2Mb05pr06jAfULh24nBlhw/s320/IMG_2354-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thrasher, thrashing?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrykggQgtoRiyWUSDP3ui841OQHZ4KMcAcShhx78drlX9MoSq2oSXRGeQr6GJ9aKRijbNK-wPWgEpguHTXqijX21NN8zOKbNLLI8CMmHatJNAGrEhGoSbxY8jI24TvweR4LdspADUpeA/s1600/IMG_2356-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrykggQgtoRiyWUSDP3ui841OQHZ4KMcAcShhx78drlX9MoSq2oSXRGeQr6GJ9aKRijbNK-wPWgEpguHTXqijX21NN8zOKbNLLI8CMmHatJNAGrEhGoSbxY8jI24TvweR4LdspADUpeA/s320/IMG_2356-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Somewhat relaxed.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGaWvxPa_5zMPF8gQSkASXH4Pv3SXgC6hBoYmXly7IzvhnRJT_O0yt28yYqTeikjlozqd1ArpVlJQPgYK-AP0Cbhv0ZvZh8pK2KoevZVXyhxsQzSiVpyv7TF-Cn_45pv9sZuA5gdhiA/s1600/IMG_2357-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGaWvxPa_5zMPF8gQSkASXH4Pv3SXgC6hBoYmXly7IzvhnRJT_O0yt28yYqTeikjlozqd1ArpVlJQPgYK-AP0Cbhv0ZvZh8pK2KoevZVXyhxsQzSiVpyv7TF-Cn_45pv9sZuA5gdhiA/s320/IMG_2357-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some more thrashing!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7JZqZVkP8OQTLoOHNXXaQq4D-nAGz5x6XDPDkH26eZq9m5vpQPzA_IkuqfZR_gXHHhaobG9dTGZnjhhmBq68njUOaD4BctLxTdKBC5xpThexQBq_u4UzvYQN5q_l7VNY7CdN52YaJQ/s1600/IMG_2360-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7JZqZVkP8OQTLoOHNXXaQq4D-nAGz5x6XDPDkH26eZq9m5vpQPzA_IkuqfZR_gXHHhaobG9dTGZnjhhmBq68njUOaD4BctLxTdKBC5xpThexQBq_u4UzvYQN5q_l7VNY7CdN52YaJQ/s320/IMG_2360-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gathering the feathers.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7UrYfdPugW3VuYVnH4PVQUugpXxRmyP3KNSexyQBFC3IXzI9F1kemArMCkRsLEpX3l1sGERY8_EVv8vqkcNDlQ56OGB1e_FGruvzWHKVx316QHqqA2MCDlNGvHfvhqdkxvEd-J8vWQ/s1600/IMG_2362-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7UrYfdPugW3VuYVnH4PVQUugpXxRmyP3KNSexyQBFC3IXzI9F1kemArMCkRsLEpX3l1sGERY8_EVv8vqkcNDlQ56OGB1e_FGruvzWHKVx316QHqqA2MCDlNGvHfvhqdkxvEd-J8vWQ/s320/IMG_2362-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ahh, that felt good!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI64hr5mLqC8d9C6clmzjwTFYle48dlrAC9Ge9pTg4oRdOcwa21y2K7T8dsK5PQIqcl4l_SbiYg-bHDkQKzjWfc6oKxBmtGYBi8stV56S0vVcyq45swFamKNVBMsMId5aVuhqjm-2dBA/s1600/IMG_2364-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI64hr5mLqC8d9C6clmzjwTFYle48dlrAC9Ge9pTg4oRdOcwa21y2K7T8dsK5PQIqcl4l_SbiYg-bHDkQKzjWfc6oKxBmtGYBi8stV56S0vVcyq45swFamKNVBMsMId5aVuhqjm-2dBA/s320/IMG_2364-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Time to get back to reality.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrH7FOUoyJE-k0cJekqL61SANvimNYsZF__VKNktCcsmtFal-fy6CaAPvse2huquDAjGom9jY7m_AUJJ8vwiqB5mF8puD-s2SgJY5eNtUvo2UvmNbZGIze5jQ7a1xt6m4Bip3Q88AZQ/s1600/IMG_2363-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrH7FOUoyJE-k0cJekqL61SANvimNYsZF__VKNktCcsmtFal-fy6CaAPvse2huquDAjGom9jY7m_AUJJ8vwiqB5mF8puD-s2SgJY5eNtUvo2UvmNbZGIze5jQ7a1xt6m4Bip3Q88AZQ/s320/IMG_2363-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hey you, damn papparazzi, get out of my face!!!!</div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-8641275933625069612012-03-29T01:07:00.000-04:002012-03-29T01:07:01.020-04:00Barnacle Gulls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3pUf8zBS6S8NqWF8MULUpdnd1FeaDChyikQiPr_yg0V8BdS7ei1aHInPaGDK-qGUzhVOCZfOdr-EV9bPoOZ1_FQxlSEkusoTXBixMV5dcXOGHQBl-SdWrD-NUH2c-qCdQsh4yysIRg/s1600/IMG_2301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3pUf8zBS6S8NqWF8MULUpdnd1FeaDChyikQiPr_yg0V8BdS7ei1aHInPaGDK-qGUzhVOCZfOdr-EV9bPoOZ1_FQxlSEkusoTXBixMV5dcXOGHQBl-SdWrD-NUH2c-qCdQsh4yysIRg/s320/IMG_2301.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My good friend and biologist Dennis refers to them as Barnacle Gulls, and that is not without reason. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An annual late winter, early spring phenonomon occurs on the western end of the Connecticut side of Long Island Sound, from New Haven on westward to Greenwich CT.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In this mostly rocky bottomed area massive plankton blooms occur, for the most part the major player here are barnacle larvae and in amounts that cannot be imagined.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Penfield Lighthouse, Fairfield, CT in the above photo.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrQbv-gvIR7xAr_KE2sE6bFgl-Z2UFKOdbofpI7ta0X_qNIUq0c1HbchNPO2sJ5fvNNSrfAJq2CNowR-8djw0GNj5RUqUe7N81CJdeYqldLhD8QkX2e8caKv1UiGsT8HSanAo4MddxQ/s1600/IMG_2305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrQbv-gvIR7xAr_KE2sE6bFgl-Z2UFKOdbofpI7ta0X_qNIUq0c1HbchNPO2sJ5fvNNSrfAJq2CNowR-8djw0GNj5RUqUe7N81CJdeYqldLhD8QkX2e8caKv1UiGsT8HSanAo4MddxQ/s320/IMG_2305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gulls, mostly Ring-bills and lesser amounts of Herring are the most involved bird species in counting the plankton mass birds, along with them are many Greater Scaup, Goldeneye, Long-tail, Brant,Scoter, Black Duck, American Wigeon and a few other species, that feed in the planktonic soup</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8icJa-04vH3Lxq2vHaSnb0sAWAh9qsmzv86V2-U0WWWOPQWNkpe2LlwAbGhflhU6CDV3H66oW-qDQ2DCycMdwVdMiiXvYjl89SeTUGMxXlX0opTpX7le9s5yy989-daT6q_WeSO6hiw/s1600/IMG_2307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8icJa-04vH3Lxq2vHaSnb0sAWAh9qsmzv86V2-U0WWWOPQWNkpe2LlwAbGhflhU6CDV3H66oW-qDQ2DCycMdwVdMiiXvYjl89SeTUGMxXlX0opTpX7le9s5yy989-daT6q_WeSO6hiw/s320/IMG_2307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This area off Fairfield CT, with buoy 22 in the distance, follows a very rock reef, locally known as Sunken Island, this has been a hotspot the past several years for barnacle gulls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhc2R3dvVB76dOdF0t0anjBRLSi_zI-kGzfTdCdYSmk9FiYcXmXGaaObCWfm4aUgcRsuL0KKhnQmL2pfDDDjjSzcXVWLSToh4-n2fMTV0LVlnoRJSbsh4_Y61MGfzqeuP56d4y0Pt4g/s1600/IMG_2313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhc2R3dvVB76dOdF0t0anjBRLSi_zI-kGzfTdCdYSmk9FiYcXmXGaaObCWfm4aUgcRsuL0KKhnQmL2pfDDDjjSzcXVWLSToh4-n2fMTV0LVlnoRJSbsh4_Y61MGfzqeuP56d4y0Pt4g/s320/IMG_2313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next few photos are a birds eye view of what they are seeing and feeding on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxM_sIqIYNz51-rXhEvRWnd7dfBl9JvxtVa2vYpkalSiSDp9lt1GHHLk4EYWwnlAu53qsRqCNS6g3sIy8agEToG5wf8Ivdbt0U_80bV0cQIAzwYjNOTapzDRkZqCf8vL6JgZzDoaVxeA/s1600/IMG_2314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxM_sIqIYNz51-rXhEvRWnd7dfBl9JvxtVa2vYpkalSiSDp9lt1GHHLk4EYWwnlAu53qsRqCNS6g3sIy8agEToG5wf8Ivdbt0U_80bV0cQIAzwYjNOTapzDRkZqCf8vL6JgZzDoaVxeA/s320/IMG_2314.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These thick plankton masses create a viscious water density, this looks like a calm water slick when viewed from above, but is next to choppy water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On this trip we did stop in areas where the choppy sea calmed to small flat calm water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Plankton were always visible in these area's, as were the planktavours.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wk2h-vKvvbpvBaYBf77WOjqXsIM6UNPd5AfVKt3QsytwYDrvR5cnQ2pUXgZUnAUjH-aMP57AXX6YVnxNgmp2-fgObhUvNjiHSpRU7p35stknSfgjXhbC1JLYqRjstLNimRUObMeDUQ/s1600/IMG_2315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wk2h-vKvvbpvBaYBf77WOjqXsIM6UNPd5AfVKt3QsytwYDrvR5cnQ2pUXgZUnAUjH-aMP57AXX6YVnxNgmp2-fgObhUvNjiHSpRU7p35stknSfgjXhbC1JLYqRjstLNimRUObMeDUQ/s320/IMG_2315.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In this photo of my fish finder, we are in 17.7 ft of water off of Bouy 22. Near the bottom, there is a mass of activity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Are these other plankton masses? Other plankton feeders, or piscavours?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Herring, Smelt, Anchovies, Striped bass?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One follows the other.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Regardless, this fishfinder photo shows another world happening only a few fathoms below the surface of the feeding plankton gulls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the world we never see. Any divers out there, that would like to jump in and fill us in?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Your welcome on board!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlT63uPRF1rcNv5y-AfPGjGoiIajljoWoOgdERDO-4fPcLYPtYf7BHqjg82ZwecD7pmRFFEvbRJO6ZAYlHc6BmuBkPqGvwc8HDh7_nNsMdUJkTo3kvdmoSEMv2EVhc2epwAzntW9yhVw/s1600/IMG_2317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlT63uPRF1rcNv5y-AfPGjGoiIajljoWoOgdERDO-4fPcLYPtYf7BHqjg82ZwecD7pmRFFEvbRJO6ZAYlHc6BmuBkPqGvwc8HDh7_nNsMdUJkTo3kvdmoSEMv2EVhc2epwAzntW9yhVw/s320/IMG_2317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Harbor Seal loafing off Southport.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Z4puMq8ImPlrePI76QjX5qt0guKIznSY8oBVpTB__3O-r3ckE8SNA_2Tk3pDNw-mzGdd0L3QQM8eNgOP464Gxqqi8oLiXlUc0sPOOW-PGDR9kaJY-Z0GWt5xFc9heXJ_Fc0hO0i69A/s1600/IMG_2320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Z4puMq8ImPlrePI76QjX5qt0guKIznSY8oBVpTB__3O-r3ckE8SNA_2Tk3pDNw-mzGdd0L3QQM8eNgOP464Gxqqi8oLiXlUc0sPOOW-PGDR9kaJY-Z0GWt5xFc9heXJ_Fc0hO0i69A/s320/IMG_2320.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some of the many thousands of Greater Scaup aloft, with a local shell fishing boat heading home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Overall the gull count alone was over 30,000 and this trip.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7rqZL0mz17ZQh2X7UyM4UBP2giaJJtLMYRhOHvxaXVkQP5x46Z-EYTl5CCAO4dqnKTJrM7bsvcNEbKcFcqAw62ZfbVJmoXAMUXz7bsi9BY5iSvLWCKNhyphenhyphenIy33B572Qsxjw9MRGib7Q/s1600/IMG_2322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7rqZL0mz17ZQh2X7UyM4UBP2giaJJtLMYRhOHvxaXVkQP5x46Z-EYTl5CCAO4dqnKTJrM7bsvcNEbKcFcqAw62ZfbVJmoXAMUXz7bsi9BY5iSvLWCKNhyphenhyphenIy33B572Qsxjw9MRGib7Q/s320/IMG_2322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More Scaup off Compo Beach, Westport, CT.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWf4KtF9Azt-5NdmpvJUF3Bbqvjn4P1ho6NiIm_L4ywJkNFmNRCKzjWml_C0nPB2vBrk-rEB4NrLD4pq5aDVV3nVyJfas_-6SGH-AXaYTnInLZdXeuuymcSNdHn7V1GSgU643YXDc0w/s1600/IMG_2324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWf4KtF9Azt-5NdmpvJUF3Bbqvjn4P1ho6NiIm_L4ywJkNFmNRCKzjWml_C0nPB2vBrk-rEB4NrLD4pq5aDVV3nVyJfas_-6SGH-AXaYTnInLZdXeuuymcSNdHn7V1GSgU643YXDc0w/s320/IMG_2324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And more.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xxXP7Orx5GcQf7M9240L7ZKqdhx-TROz1hxjGDDgcYWtqvQmaIZ4WnGAGnpmk_l5W8eYG8VFoHrlfLYCoK3ryfmsT3Z6lGYKokgxcO0R1CSTBtsQpeeOAYkDsgu9haIMfSa43dZsuQ/s1600/IMG_2325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xxXP7Orx5GcQf7M9240L7ZKqdhx-TROz1hxjGDDgcYWtqvQmaIZ4WnGAGnpmk_l5W8eYG8VFoHrlfLYCoK3ryfmsT3Z6lGYKokgxcO0R1CSTBtsQpeeOAYkDsgu9haIMfSa43dZsuQ/s320/IMG_2325.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back at the dock, my friends and mentors,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dennis and Frank.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They are the best of the best.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Always a pleasure to have either of them on board.</div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-51532384621253755782012-02-08T23:37:00.002-05:002012-02-08T23:40:57.800-05:00Norwalk Island Peregrine Falcons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXsL_MfBkYoOSN7EoevYFDIxVZdAyL2Z8q1Z-m6hjdPA9cMa8BcZ0-wS5CE8Npv1LrCYBuOEyDWANLeaZDz-P7xPm_BWXRbMRuMTOpnY21j2JS8tYttupWqH1cM7u4uR1ZuhUIMAZng/s1600/IMG_1633-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXsL_MfBkYoOSN7EoevYFDIxVZdAyL2Z8q1Z-m6hjdPA9cMa8BcZ0-wS5CE8Npv1LrCYBuOEyDWANLeaZDz-P7xPm_BWXRbMRuMTOpnY21j2JS8tYttupWqH1cM7u4uR1ZuhUIMAZng/s320/IMG_1633-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't understand the vagrancy of Peregrine Falcons from the Norwalk Islands this past year, and to this day I am not sure what has happened or is happening.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In past winters plus the other seasons, Peregrine Falcons have been a staple around the Norwalk Islands, this past year, from late spring on they have been missing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Peregrine's are certainly nesting in the area, yet it seems they are no longer interested in the islands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have noted that there is a lack of shorebirds in the island chain this winter, yet shorebirds shouldn't be the only food species for these falcons in this area. Do the two go hand and hand?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since there is no other lack of potential Peregrine prey around the islands, where and why have they just disappeared?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ETXJYyHSWcHOh1L81jnbjjsxMgeWBtfnggYCfpHrn0PN6Bmp0x34J4vOebMKp5L6J0fNHqzRL9501cuzMsWbQPZ57EWmxsTctmRRysc7enkukni3yVc0TiAARDEkQT6hHQZglk9cRQ/s1600/IMG_1606-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ETXJYyHSWcHOh1L81jnbjjsxMgeWBtfnggYCfpHrn0PN6Bmp0x34J4vOebMKp5L6J0fNHqzRL9501cuzMsWbQPZ57EWmxsTctmRRysc7enkukni3yVc0TiAARDEkQT6hHQZglk9cRQ/s320/IMG_1606-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was just over a year ago that I posted a similar photo of a Peregrine loafing on Cockenoe Island, this is not last years photo, but Saturday's 2/4/12 on Cockenoe!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfB7udKjzlcPmiCojMaavm8xAUugwnCBfUOT5CnCM9R9Ln-o9Hk2TvH_Jq1aN_9_Fxo_hZLvkLX4OyK0ZMILslUP21tnuREiT7vJb4FSLm3r1uygy10gnyY3-bLa9ovJ_dUs1miC2dDw/s1600/IMG_1610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfB7udKjzlcPmiCojMaavm8xAUugwnCBfUOT5CnCM9R9Ln-o9Hk2TvH_Jq1aN_9_Fxo_hZLvkLX4OyK0ZMILslUP21tnuREiT7vJb4FSLm3r1uygy10gnyY3-bLa9ovJ_dUs1miC2dDw/s320/IMG_1610.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Again , like last year, there wasn't one but two. This is the second bird....</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYpwZxnRd0OhGPPtsAFh-03phj0vmDkhHZCp5CAFzVjwrLVgqS8Uk3IFFmgWT9-NYfG5_djfvN2mCntAYrW8swLf18kUUsb2faqK-Inhm7uOBbpLBOIu0xpC3G6CRQrGQwyJpI1dPNA/s1600/IMG_1612-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYpwZxnRd0OhGPPtsAFh-03phj0vmDkhHZCp5CAFzVjwrLVgqS8Uk3IFFmgWT9-NYfG5_djfvN2mCntAYrW8swLf18kUUsb2faqK-Inhm7uOBbpLBOIu0xpC3G6CRQrGQwyJpI1dPNA/s320/IMG_1612-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">....that flew over to the first bird and displaced it from it's Styrofoam perch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Distant in the backround is Green's Ledge Lighthouse, almost four miles away to the west.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczH2vVLk0TkFSzAfMmBVJycoV-K2uPOTQ8NDHBv2OMARFmcyuDK5gjC5bLQZ8La6_Cq9xoT8bsX2rZaT2llgo1vkOBlywH0dlpY_cZYXPkRXyTcEi0__1Z5Jm4EAybnAVPJoh3xOu0A/s1600/IMG_1615-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczH2vVLk0TkFSzAfMmBVJycoV-K2uPOTQ8NDHBv2OMARFmcyuDK5gjC5bLQZ8La6_Cq9xoT8bsX2rZaT2llgo1vkOBlywH0dlpY_cZYXPkRXyTcEi0__1Z5Jm4EAybnAVPJoh3xOu0A/s320/IMG_1615-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The first bird moving off.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoq2oEm_8aSLDRO_n-4BlrnfXKTPEj3ZXvlrxaWxQTh7e7f27qAVJzSAzSeIc8fUUOs12MQbnbNVo-you8iL5x7GBayjJ-Um93EaYKGRuWsygQvyKiWqtZz8KcIc47uRQ3YVSwAX8bbA/s1600/IMG_1616-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoq2oEm_8aSLDRO_n-4BlrnfXKTPEj3ZXvlrxaWxQTh7e7f27qAVJzSAzSeIc8fUUOs12MQbnbNVo-you8iL5x7GBayjJ-Um93EaYKGRuWsygQvyKiWqtZz8KcIc47uRQ3YVSwAX8bbA/s320/IMG_1616-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The second bird perched on a nearby driftwood log.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With the bird being between me and the sun and casting shadows,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I moved the boat to the other side of the sandbar for hopefully a few better photo's.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSdMMICUGYnJpQmzgOVg59AMC1kCxA4IHGAk7kBxT_hM3ukYop9RTINqDKJfCQ_3zQqQuYPORp-NvqzH7wMj35vTadL5357j4AyCoXtSt4D5HDHEEKG3IriAMdTdK6dl026357yGBfg/s1600/IMG_1621-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSdMMICUGYnJpQmzgOVg59AMC1kCxA4IHGAk7kBxT_hM3ukYop9RTINqDKJfCQ_3zQqQuYPORp-NvqzH7wMj35vTadL5357j4AyCoXtSt4D5HDHEEKG3IriAMdTdK6dl026357yGBfg/s320/IMG_1621-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Same bird, same perch, much better light.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHazo2xzrrAEtr140w56jiepN9hc-74BO9ab7Eb-e4wW6NBD-6rN0aXFWfqDvB2a-30fnbQC7uFeQfX9JHU6BHSUyZwszgG5d8QT5bY6o9xmILktQq0JM0vn3sUzDCPnlXdilINAag-Q/s1600/IMG_1630-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHazo2xzrrAEtr140w56jiepN9hc-74BO9ab7Eb-e4wW6NBD-6rN0aXFWfqDvB2a-30fnbQC7uFeQfX9JHU6BHSUyZwszgG5d8QT5bY6o9xmILktQq0JM0vn3sUzDCPnlXdilINAag-Q/s320/IMG_1630-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A closer look.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViDqMg2gMZX9VMqHuKog58ab0eq9bkvbZwGDmtD9SyMLD_LAurFCe8sjzIrYjC2Hh8Mz1uo0kjFW76M5qTQweM1rxhKnpu0ceN4MvbUjT_6nMjdAqyShMVfA8KY0e_lLxZ4ya9jPUJw/s1600/IMG_1633-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViDqMg2gMZX9VMqHuKog58ab0eq9bkvbZwGDmtD9SyMLD_LAurFCe8sjzIrYjC2Hh8Mz1uo0kjFW76M5qTQweM1rxhKnpu0ceN4MvbUjT_6nMjdAqyShMVfA8KY0e_lLxZ4ya9jPUJw/s320/IMG_1633-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a long while this bird decided to move on, it then revealed three bands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-4lv_gL1wLBhfNRxV5HDM50iaQMuj0pBBrrlYnEV3Rr3_zDUdS1qVg1j25I6Vh1LbXoT8HvYKC7V2LZQe1_7cMdJZrPgK6Gj0e12c-xaaRq9Up2STYODjPbkoQjRV5MsQylh9jlHVg/s1600/IMG_1633-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-4lv_gL1wLBhfNRxV5HDM50iaQMuj0pBBrrlYnEV3Rr3_zDUdS1qVg1j25I6Vh1LbXoT8HvYKC7V2LZQe1_7cMdJZrPgK6Gj0e12c-xaaRq9Up2STYODjPbkoQjRV5MsQylh9jlHVg/s320/IMG_1633-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A cropped close up shows the three bands, left leg has two, upper black, lower greenish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Black number appears to be 192 (?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Green Number 2?28 (?) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Right leg is the standard silver band, no numbers seen.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcv-NTjy5jSvyUE2EXr-EuP9f_EErh2DMyUfhBxIHpZDe1gNh_cl_37UoaoM0oME6YD2LfC1PnNloRSBi8nwNHUoLK-4oz7NFCj7oJNq-Nsqim0IVxBOtQGWJ7LYLw1CV_yGxr3kq_g/s1600/IMG_1634-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcv-NTjy5jSvyUE2EXr-EuP9f_EErh2DMyUfhBxIHpZDe1gNh_cl_37UoaoM0oME6YD2LfC1PnNloRSBi8nwNHUoLK-4oz7NFCj7oJNq-Nsqim0IVxBOtQGWJ7LYLw1CV_yGxr3kq_g/s320/IMG_1634-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another flight photo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's nice to see this species out on the islands again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hopefully I will hear some data from these bands that I have reported.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If and when that happens, I will report on it.</div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-5228964065412152252012-02-02T02:03:00.001-05:002012-02-02T02:25:36.806-05:00Gull Kettles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXf8z2C1_n02ciLSR7aOLv6ukHVUfFDkRQZ-VvAfysg6gT3uuJMk4k4R6kM36jjCdyTgfX5Ne4ZpYqDlorlmTmbPcpU_gw3wDfzHEmOqIMvi3BmixhC5GQ5FIN2taCjCiAubyCDSqZg/s1600/IMG_1565-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXf8z2C1_n02ciLSR7aOLv6ukHVUfFDkRQZ-VvAfysg6gT3uuJMk4k4R6kM36jjCdyTgfX5Ne4ZpYqDlorlmTmbPcpU_gw3wDfzHEmOqIMvi3BmixhC5GQ5FIN2taCjCiAubyCDSqZg/s320/IMG_1565-1.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last month,while fishing for Atlantic Herring off my boat club dock, I watched hundreds of gulls passing south out of Norwalk Harbor as the sun began to set. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Where are they going? I thought to myself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A week later, I am back on the docks, replenishing my herring food stock, again the same thing, one by one, then in groups of two, three and four or more, the gulls pass me, heading south out the harbor while the sun is setting on the horizon, again where are they going? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OnRZEe7mQRrqqPel2KT1vBQ30sezZvXUY6k1H52oPjutyhE3PEiwxMY_Z51hZk5CQO7nn2VhqmAOkf7mS6iiNleWp5lXhQhn-0yecmOKhCfU1sBlRJSVLkSUUgAX02LgwN_gSF4lwA/s1600/IMG_1160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OnRZEe7mQRrqqPel2KT1vBQ30sezZvXUY6k1H52oPjutyhE3PEiwxMY_Z51hZk5CQO7nn2VhqmAOkf7mS6iiNleWp5lXhQhn-0yecmOKhCfU1sBlRJSVLkSUUgAX02LgwN_gSF4lwA/s320/IMG_1160.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Atlantic Herring, the whole fish on the left will be smoked, the fillet's to the right will be pickled.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhornpfFNSS0WJb17_RC2c37GJ9ylOYU_FGuggdjcbgA_u1Uvzb1BqdtIKNB3r5nBYvoewHHGmJ6FwkLlu13AITYhUWQhkffNhTJ1qOIctVJr-zKsT_b58uRUY7mlLE5NoyLj1-IJuFtg/s1600/IMG_1511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhornpfFNSS0WJb17_RC2c37GJ9ylOYU_FGuggdjcbgA_u1Uvzb1BqdtIKNB3r5nBYvoewHHGmJ6FwkLlu13AITYhUWQhkffNhTJ1qOIctVJr-zKsT_b58uRUY7mlLE5NoyLj1-IJuFtg/s320/IMG_1511.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back to the gulls, marina docks and shorelines are often a daytime loafing place for gulls during the winter, as pictured here at the marina which my boat is docked.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before or near sunset, these birds take flight and disappear to the south.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBprBZOPrQIPdh9wmAyKMeAAkgK2VK6dHl85jIKplzUy5FWXrN2PStUW-POU-1sLXdYs4cNv1r_PobHZZGHg33XUkOtVO-84iPcKMdMzr3NvnD6sIRjmzrSW85_3dRFOIS2yb16Svhg/s1600/IMG_1514-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBprBZOPrQIPdh9wmAyKMeAAkgK2VK6dHl85jIKplzUy5FWXrN2PStUW-POU-1sLXdYs4cNv1r_PobHZZGHg33XUkOtVO-84iPcKMdMzr3NvnD6sIRjmzrSW85_3dRFOIS2yb16Svhg/s320/IMG_1514-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For a few days, I have been following these gulls, as they fly out the harbor before sunset.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjj5GurNrWKpQ235qnz4Pa7omyJlcSV-BJ0OmxYtxq3HmTVM1cti6EEYmQQf_d29O6Ccgdiy6SM8_tYGFv3uo_mF4xZpmpK0vOnDHHkALtYQKg1PlIvGlwAbSaSF7dmEesGkj3vZkqw/s1600/IMG_1523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjj5GurNrWKpQ235qnz4Pa7omyJlcSV-BJ0OmxYtxq3HmTVM1cti6EEYmQQf_d29O6Ccgdiy6SM8_tYGFv3uo_mF4xZpmpK0vOnDHHkALtYQKg1PlIvGlwAbSaSF7dmEesGkj3vZkqw/s320/IMG_1523.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These daytime roosting gulls will not stay here long after the sun has set.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNdCb2JCGHAKqqyuKppYOwpkM5pkEO45tGycwvXQoavcPXcqjg_z26yJEuKHlVzuT-zRsDNjBOeEyec8zoQGA3yEbG1FFt6YHUa3m0L-DBK46Y0u0e9z1X4Q6Dqi4n1sYABUHJSYAqA/s1600/IMG_1526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNdCb2JCGHAKqqyuKppYOwpkM5pkEO45tGycwvXQoavcPXcqjg_z26yJEuKHlVzuT-zRsDNjBOeEyec8zoQGA3yEbG1FFt6YHUa3m0L-DBK46Y0u0e9z1X4Q6Dqi4n1sYABUHJSYAqA/s320/IMG_1526.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nor these gulls at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nRvQGOrAkUz2SGjvT2hq1-yn9_GZygr25PYQoO11-9mmNVsbg0cyR9LWilcu0bpn-pG34nGIDsRHsj7FQHXqcH17uD_KGJTL2dbr94YSOahlNlcALzavWjTDIr6_QqiC8uOUE-zD9g/s1600/IMG_1533-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nRvQGOrAkUz2SGjvT2hq1-yn9_GZygr25PYQoO11-9mmNVsbg0cyR9LWilcu0bpn-pG34nGIDsRHsj7FQHXqcH17uD_KGJTL2dbr94YSOahlNlcALzavWjTDIr6_QqiC8uOUE-zD9g/s320/IMG_1533-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Leaving the shoreline gulls, I briefly checked out these Great Black-backed Gulls on Long Beach, Norwalk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These birds arrived within the last week or so and appear to be setting up shop for the upcoming nesting season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There were thirty Black-backs on this tiny sand spit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWq0P9fxXRQtwR1jVF2JC6VlyiP43biK7-uQbsERmAqgoPtmRhIUx2I4Ucqu4WVGwVd08AWsihu_0uIJ6REcXKvYRF0dQjdNF_aT4GdOBHNF-tnHOH052Vl-DKGTUEtAKd0l6-ednVg/s1600/IMG_1537-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWq0P9fxXRQtwR1jVF2JC6VlyiP43biK7-uQbsERmAqgoPtmRhIUx2I4Ucqu4WVGwVd08AWsihu_0uIJ6REcXKvYRF0dQjdNF_aT4GdOBHNF-tnHOH052Vl-DKGTUEtAKd0l6-ednVg/s320/IMG_1537-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Following the Herring gulls over to Goose Island, I accidentally flushed these Black Duck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_34XB7NDiGF-u1gfDCsDnz7yT8-y7W-lITp9-QDdCYqT0ODGechpd6zkLdXom8FnstF8V9Purj8SdqjIeNIMxiTSGgcY0kN7KC_h5ov3bO_SsMNr2QIsS5FMvFbWlVTM_kv2gUFCWFQ/s1600/IMG_1544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_34XB7NDiGF-u1gfDCsDnz7yT8-y7W-lITp9-QDdCYqT0ODGechpd6zkLdXom8FnstF8V9Purj8SdqjIeNIMxiTSGgcY0kN7KC_h5ov3bO_SsMNr2QIsS5FMvFbWlVTM_kv2gUFCWFQ/s320/IMG_1544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At Goose Is. many gulls were moving here for their evening roost.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWxYEScqyTjtJ9sYCLZ1I8nelqAz5wm_AZ2Qa8nLZReFLYgpMPz4r9xzn_o2Lmjop8rLSNLeg7R50rUVAa9LDXHbN1Q_gFK1bbpaIevtiJrEw8mN-YX_cFQZ4a3I7aV2nqZmBp-urwA/s1600/IMG_1543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWxYEScqyTjtJ9sYCLZ1I8nelqAz5wm_AZ2Qa8nLZReFLYgpMPz4r9xzn_o2Lmjop8rLSNLeg7R50rUVAa9LDXHbN1Q_gFK1bbpaIevtiJrEw8mN-YX_cFQZ4a3I7aV2nqZmBp-urwA/s320/IMG_1543.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few Black-backs thinking about future nesting areas on Goose Island?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There were eighty plus Great Black-backs here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Their numbers have grown in the past week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This small island is a local hot spot for their nesting activities.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrNDfRt5yuKWdmuvQLw-XopCsqPgOdF1Rn3Ge3nDADK8P5sO_6yV7aTP6oMlBYhyphenhyphenfyPJFZYMtfLT6wltvzDXHYDrSSGtZ_B5IynwiwMr_UEgZAhELmye5RNAOXuX9z2JNucm_W7EugA/s1600/IMG_1556-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrNDfRt5yuKWdmuvQLw-XopCsqPgOdF1Rn3Ge3nDADK8P5sO_6yV7aTP6oMlBYhyphenhyphenfyPJFZYMtfLT6wltvzDXHYDrSSGtZ_B5IynwiwMr_UEgZAhELmye5RNAOXuX9z2JNucm_W7EugA/s320/IMG_1556-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To the west, the sun is setting behind the Norwalk Power Plant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Manressa Island to many, Keyser Island if you've been around Norwalk for a very long time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJS4d16K4AEWUpj3k7gwxniha-QOPGhx8Mks91NbTaXaJKgfNrxvy7srDWExGIgsd2INuDGZfqoRJ706Y8WxTN3ONgsLFJBv_PK_TOU5tjLnNv2L9RoRHVEM9731QXiUV7CKWfe3JSYw/s1600/IMG_1563-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJS4d16K4AEWUpj3k7gwxniha-QOPGhx8Mks91NbTaXaJKgfNrxvy7srDWExGIgsd2INuDGZfqoRJ706Y8WxTN3ONgsLFJBv_PK_TOU5tjLnNv2L9RoRHVEM9731QXiUV7CKWfe3JSYw/s320/IMG_1563-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Magically, hundreds of Ring-bills in these beautiful kettles start moving off the Norwalk shoreline, floating eastward towards Cockenoe Island</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOK0FVABdj0SDt6QllXrwW3n9kLa3Cb1dAo2soHYJnhmOrb31S45E_6hJCpJI_ZrKXmuLR9708ldKk6A3rouG-YOFZMzuuhblys5kdXaBUyHdOPoImItO1VP7MeTnzJZNM2w1REgq8Og/s1600/IMG_1565-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOK0FVABdj0SDt6QllXrwW3n9kLa3Cb1dAo2soHYJnhmOrb31S45E_6hJCpJI_ZrKXmuLR9708ldKk6A3rouG-YOFZMzuuhblys5kdXaBUyHdOPoImItO1VP7MeTnzJZNM2w1REgq8Og/s320/IMG_1565-1.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One incredible sight! A Ring-bill Kettle at Sunset!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenSNX536aEARwmTfQc0L-moZvs4uF5mffKBhCCG6GnBntz4V2Ja0CWqWVhYYvW_8yAdYopUMGAGbJioYCxajE8by48scNFuzRHb6__f31BYOVSzIQbAJU5orIFXepicS5mcWiRp5Urg/s1600/IMG_1569-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenSNX536aEARwmTfQc0L-moZvs4uF5mffKBhCCG6GnBntz4V2Ja0CWqWVhYYvW_8yAdYopUMGAGbJioYCxajE8by48scNFuzRHb6__f31BYOVSzIQbAJU5orIFXepicS5mcWiRp5Urg/s320/IMG_1569-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is mayhem as this flock needs room to settle at Cockenoe Island.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vRm_vJOgIvaGdtT0JY6gkruTQxOs80k1zMxSR3mUDKql7sEFIFuHL4HxhF6CJrK5rhEHGXPmT9UddSdgCmwW5W4OQ2zBhnFDHwkASDkKbTb3xu_XsSpOt_bfjz-rAqbISe2E9bzRbA/s1600/IMG_1570-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vRm_vJOgIvaGdtT0JY6gkruTQxOs80k1zMxSR3mUDKql7sEFIFuHL4HxhF6CJrK5rhEHGXPmT9UddSdgCmwW5W4OQ2zBhnFDHwkASDkKbTb3xu_XsSpOt_bfjz-rAqbISe2E9bzRbA/s320/IMG_1570-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Coming to Roost. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Safety is in numbers, and for these birds finding a secure place all to themselves for the evening.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Norwalk Islands provide this needed winter habitat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisga2fTMl6eRxfifItoehNZN3PvJL0VaEu0QaLqss1fZ6ZI5uMYB3sC5Mdjc3QBT8F3oMaP3uIomC41Zt8ChRtqGo5TBW5Nh9uQxWD9p2MVe6WYpilKJtbSEFnpuXXlcENeYAmCkZZDA/s1600/IMG_1582-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisga2fTMl6eRxfifItoehNZN3PvJL0VaEu0QaLqss1fZ6ZI5uMYB3sC5Mdjc3QBT8F3oMaP3uIomC41Zt8ChRtqGo5TBW5Nh9uQxWD9p2MVe6WYpilKJtbSEFnpuXXlcENeYAmCkZZDA/s320/IMG_1582-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sorry, but with a long lens I cannot capture the thousand or so gulls that have moved out her for the evening.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are mostly Ring-bills, the Herring Gulls seem to prefer Goose Island, but there are still many of them here,along with a handful of Great Black-backs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also have to imagine there may be other gull species out here, but in shortness of daylight, I haven't been able to check that out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwwdZOdzDnlFU06ndDdggpgcCvfz_5TDS9lYp39xcULEuDWrC96NUw5_rA945r2w4UqOc-s5utZvxeWsVtqxNAYcJxbbWLSUQoQCXY4PKxLpVMm4vpjhTDyR6krnR9p-a8zBWSceVfA/s1600/IMG_1586-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwwdZOdzDnlFU06ndDdggpgcCvfz_5TDS9lYp39xcULEuDWrC96NUw5_rA945r2w4UqOc-s5utZvxeWsVtqxNAYcJxbbWLSUQoQCXY4PKxLpVMm4vpjhTDyR6krnR9p-a8zBWSceVfA/s320/IMG_1586-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Calf Pasture Beach in the background, Calf Island in the foreground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Peace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-45392950152013566112012-01-14T00:52:00.003-05:002012-01-14T11:54:15.026-05:00Brant Oddity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYreP5OhuvBhM3_jJOikGj-1lRxXhei3R-tETPELBWuDcn4AE-sBdIOhCYu-gtJj8mu4AGpvDspOozzpPfAeClVSMQ15U6ETMlaPY642W8ARZtyXdbMwxV3kYhcOOJagX-JXUGmQUHw/s1600/IMG_1355-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYreP5OhuvBhM3_jJOikGj-1lRxXhei3R-tETPELBWuDcn4AE-sBdIOhCYu-gtJj8mu4AGpvDspOozzpPfAeClVSMQ15U6ETMlaPY642W8ARZtyXdbMwxV3kYhcOOJagX-JXUGmQUHw/s320/IMG_1355-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While passing through Norwalk's Calf Pasture Beach late this afternoon, I came upon this odd looking Brant that was hugging close to the shoreline in today's forty plus mile an hour winds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This guy was all alone, staying in tight within the lee of the mainland. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I noted the odd bump on it's forehead and started taking photograph's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the above photo, it appears as though the left eye has been pushed downward from this tumor like hump.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpd_hJqUX1BLPJG8Uezb1nZF8FnCbi3qkU6PqvZlkUeyn5-QxKz9q95pVtfOiflUXBzWVKN22cpbNmfpV3r6i6cJGyptwpcba8KYg0mvp3mz-rlpp-oOpRisdjcylYIqx3k5TdIZpV4A/s1600/IMG_1348-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpd_hJqUX1BLPJG8Uezb1nZF8FnCbi3qkU6PqvZlkUeyn5-QxKz9q95pVtfOiflUXBzWVKN22cpbNmfpV3r6i6cJGyptwpcba8KYg0mvp3mz-rlpp-oOpRisdjcylYIqx3k5TdIZpV4A/s320/IMG_1348-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Right side eye seems normal</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBruiWdVrGyMBoMWbp-GY4Qc2AoPQsmFRsQxQUy8DQL_g5LTQ9L-hkGsxmijSdTxRTA323QiWLAvft0YyIUAmLeRNmmqPYkFa21sdTsf7bwSGReUxHjtWmj2KKhTsqnb_wQLJAjx8pvw/s1600/IMG_1363-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBruiWdVrGyMBoMWbp-GY4Qc2AoPQsmFRsQxQUy8DQL_g5LTQ9L-hkGsxmijSdTxRTA323QiWLAvft0YyIUAmLeRNmmqPYkFa21sdTsf7bwSGReUxHjtWmj2KKhTsqnb_wQLJAjx8pvw/s320/IMG_1363-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another view of the left side eye abnormality.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie44BuhlguTtKAZJ5xURn6RUArbTrMi-zDRBUJdmlLkGFAInctisf8k2R8ng2vxRFFl-kSwchrh7giqXG7eAEEWdyZqi7wEi81VwrUEmN92p9dTH9ElaCPXJ03vB5WnfE0R-RYbVAA_Q/s1600/IMG_1382-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie44BuhlguTtKAZJ5xURn6RUArbTrMi-zDRBUJdmlLkGFAInctisf8k2R8ng2vxRFFl-kSwchrh7giqXG7eAEEWdyZqi7wEi81VwrUEmN92p9dTH9ElaCPXJ03vB5WnfE0R-RYbVAA_Q/s320/IMG_1382-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This bird seemed otherwise very healthy as seen here feeding alone the shoreline</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46K0kVNXvQ1jZt0SFWBBHFtOn_EbRR4xZMf-4RL21vnNq8QVoEr0VCoxO9YXkLq96jRMK9ytLAFBuQM_8tI2yarW1sFxVpi0xi0-sl_71naMcHrDLdOQ1DJHg-C8bUPIJ2VhBJJTUxQ/s1600/IMG_1405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46K0kVNXvQ1jZt0SFWBBHFtOn_EbRR4xZMf-4RL21vnNq8QVoEr0VCoxO9YXkLq96jRMK9ytLAFBuQM_8tI2yarW1sFxVpi0xi0-sl_71naMcHrDLdOQ1DJHg-C8bUPIJ2VhBJJTUxQ/s320/IMG_1405.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Plus just to be a showoff it hauled out and posed for the camera.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0gDOM8aUMFeHD0ohNCZlpPThRylvyJNjcubraeMbyE04hJOMGCdXj4oCV66m8MjE3eLwrPIVEp1I_NY6b8oXIoE7TucXe-xIgvXsz1z6GyqcL_iTnPtw0qmPlbAFtDbJsaBsS4v90Q/s1600/IMG_1364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0gDOM8aUMFeHD0ohNCZlpPThRylvyJNjcubraeMbyE04hJOMGCdXj4oCV66m8MjE3eLwrPIVEp1I_NY6b8oXIoE7TucXe-xIgvXsz1z6GyqcL_iTnPtw0qmPlbAFtDbJsaBsS4v90Q/s320/IMG_1364.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The other bird of the day were these beauties.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Often, people think of these Ring-billed Gulls as merely seagulls....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1Doga61a5ZdwNefw1H7QIEi4i7AZltixvKRkcEsCmO9Iby7WXn_4IeFaCv1V6aRaUVuj7o-2y5SiMznLDKBaeBFYWw0DeLGwEPgnRw_yNvBLTQWiCEicH9dOh3qIrjvxX-94oor4Ww/s1600/IMG_1366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1Doga61a5ZdwNefw1H7QIEi4i7AZltixvKRkcEsCmO9Iby7WXn_4IeFaCv1V6aRaUVuj7o-2y5SiMznLDKBaeBFYWw0DeLGwEPgnRw_yNvBLTQWiCEicH9dOh3qIrjvxX-94oor4Ww/s320/IMG_1366.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In gale force winds, it would be difficult to come upon a more graceful dancer! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAuSaHVBQbocekiwAqj84beVlLURuONi6zVVMUVqMODCYgWijElhfdR7mkcKFN2cGC9cqwxfD1AnaKSxwjGFBGSpehDA5sWCo0OoaVECPz9DvN3W-MMKYF-P-7ap9yn-hcw8qRl1S5A/s1600/IMG_1396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAuSaHVBQbocekiwAqj84beVlLURuONi6zVVMUVqMODCYgWijElhfdR7mkcKFN2cGC9cqwxfD1AnaKSxwjGFBGSpehDA5sWCo0OoaVECPz9DvN3W-MMKYF-P-7ap9yn-hcw8qRl1S5A/s320/IMG_1396.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lastly, a local Oyster Boat calling it a day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with Peck's ledge Lighthouse in the distance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Would you believe that with today's gales, two hunters went out the islands and had to be rescued by the Norwalk Police Marine Unit!</div><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://www.thehour.com/story/517875/npd-marine-unit-rescues-hunters" target="1">http://www.thehour.com/story/517875/npd-marine-unit-rescues-hunters</a></span></div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-53175913316573088792012-01-09T23:24:00.002-05:002012-01-09T23:41:41.956-05:00Norwalk Island Razorbills<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6bkfZ5sbL7SnH5RvRCLjDONnvMq-iy0V0nqqxMUblc4LjTt_2sjJssgnV-QZIXYPGLg9MrP0SoYFqgemeJkSCVpa01IHInW5G9rKoHKaa2qjDjJCAePqkHkgVQSwh67Qs2veUIt7kw/s1600/IMG_1241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6bkfZ5sbL7SnH5RvRCLjDONnvMq-iy0V0nqqxMUblc4LjTt_2sjJssgnV-QZIXYPGLg9MrP0SoYFqgemeJkSCVpa01IHInW5G9rKoHKaa2qjDjJCAePqkHkgVQSwh67Qs2veUIt7kw/s320/IMG_1241.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nice boating weather is hard to come by this time of year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have a few winter boating guidelines that I try my best to stick to.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First 40 degrees is a great start, second little or no wind, third, the sun is shinning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today fit all three, I made a call to my friend Chris and suggested today's the day, since we have been trying, but not able to get out on the boat for a few weeks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My reasoning for these guidelines are these: water freezes, when it's spray hits the deck in windy and freezing temps, an ice skating rink on the deck, is not cool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The ray's of the sun always helps out to keep you warm, as opposed to a cloudy day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With over thirty years of winter boating, regardless if it was for fishing, birding, seals, photography or whatever, we are on a twenty one foot boat, it has a small cabin but no heat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> There is no warm car to run back to when frostbite and hypothermia start to set in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Today was somewhat pleasant and we headed out into the sound.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheV7YT_vY8ex5O8D0YMrD77sL8KYNOU0vF4q4vHFOFwVMFLh7kqrYKtRmGZy1YLcnFdxbigLqJu1mQKh21TuO5TWGfiK9eke4ff2NKMtQaMSLVCGGTip1W2f7M55-8EJCQEneDjBmPag/s1600/IMG_1276-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheV7YT_vY8ex5O8D0YMrD77sL8KYNOU0vF4q4vHFOFwVMFLh7kqrYKtRmGZy1YLcnFdxbigLqJu1mQKh21TuO5TWGfiK9eke4ff2NKMtQaMSLVCGGTip1W2f7M55-8EJCQEneDjBmPag/s320/IMG_1276-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just south of Goose Island we saw out first Razorbill.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYVcvFYfKGOQPYogUKJYHkjk_OdEyKMav4taRzeKEUgrUP0PfrJBE67DGfFCQzRK5No-rW0UyRewD6IShH62AuluafQhgo_USRFCRer0BmFQAjinGr9r9J6CtRZ080HuEcBIZ2jFyvg/s1600/IMG_1279-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYVcvFYfKGOQPYogUKJYHkjk_OdEyKMav4taRzeKEUgrUP0PfrJBE67DGfFCQzRK5No-rW0UyRewD6IShH62AuluafQhgo_USRFCRer0BmFQAjinGr9r9J6CtRZ080HuEcBIZ2jFyvg/s320/IMG_1279-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While searching for White-winged Scoter several miles south of Cockenoe Island, we came upon several more Razorbill's feeding over sixty five feet of water</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFNAbxe_9eTtoE79XCoT8qEwNxTspqNHPT0yfzVTSzgMnTYDY7hhmW3IL4k8Kz5ixddGBWc8XpsaVhnRxclaCNt5-SfrP9VG5Qk7fNlHH81kgmXxT88mQiGlXiHw-2sGTVXy_yhDm3A/s1600/IMG_1282-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFNAbxe_9eTtoE79XCoT8qEwNxTspqNHPT0yfzVTSzgMnTYDY7hhmW3IL4k8Kz5ixddGBWc8XpsaVhnRxclaCNt5-SfrP9VG5Qk7fNlHH81kgmXxT88mQiGlXiHw-2sGTVXy_yhDm3A/s320/IMG_1282-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This bird allowed us to come fairly close.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyaAquyAANcp7_4KPt1JA0Skv_kC-aYZBPb8AGydxh3u_sGNEPzMXlRWHNgBSyHeLbSEFdgP9LUE2jt8PNn2nl4ZmOlU25bpjzGc85Pt4KfJT8OAEsySD841ozqyQKLTsw436vn7AGA/s1600/IMG_1278-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyaAquyAANcp7_4KPt1JA0Skv_kC-aYZBPb8AGydxh3u_sGNEPzMXlRWHNgBSyHeLbSEFdgP9LUE2jt8PNn2nl4ZmOlU25bpjzGc85Pt4KfJT8OAEsySD841ozqyQKLTsw436vn7AGA/s320/IMG_1278-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As many diving birds do, this Razorbill dips it's head underwater in search of prey, we are in 65' of water in LIS, I'm not sure how far it can see? 10'?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Perhaps it's not about seeing?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWBW2esph2e0WeBymFpFbGbcBovLib6_8x7_OEjCzrZqOEJNJ5wB7DJlIvRXuXc3QPKc0Zw1c53GxzuH9DXJKh6jxXTJtfeCet0Pt0p_G0BGY8pod6d323fLwyqn9-XVrQOUiW9Jvaw/s1600/IMG_1291-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWBW2esph2e0WeBymFpFbGbcBovLib6_8x7_OEjCzrZqOEJNJ5wB7DJlIvRXuXc3QPKc0Zw1c53GxzuH9DXJKh6jxXTJtfeCet0Pt0p_G0BGY8pod6d323fLwyqn9-XVrQOUiW9Jvaw/s320/IMG_1291-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back inshore we spotted this Gannet flying from the shoreline area, to the deeper waters of the sound.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the background is the western edge of Sherwood Island State Park </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNA2lvgPOKdvfjnggNM8KSaEotpROtSEFIuYJBgwWZ0A_QYslsQrLXMIPb0Qj7oMRblce0G-_9ZP7U1lfna4PhZMuHCzN_0vrONXvhvVQvaktAjIm_71yp4cNlTrPE1FiXGvB8wEurQ/s1600/IMG_1295-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNA2lvgPOKdvfjnggNM8KSaEotpROtSEFIuYJBgwWZ0A_QYslsQrLXMIPb0Qj7oMRblce0G-_9ZP7U1lfna4PhZMuHCzN_0vrONXvhvVQvaktAjIm_71yp4cNlTrPE1FiXGvB8wEurQ/s320/IMG_1295-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Over a period of several minutes, we saw five adult Northern Gannets fly south from this very inshore area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It looked as though they were flying out from the Mill Pond area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUnsyXZ8sQZ_dDjDeblMYekOYp1jE26oi42zPyim0Uq4-yFv1nXtJetV91HSqG7kO6VexK5DPIoXxbQFvuZdQBsU5mpt6y4j3qQXTzS3Pca03ozyzeZSp_4iR9V1WrWL7zuN67KdQgA/s1600/IMG_1296-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUnsyXZ8sQZ_dDjDeblMYekOYp1jE26oi42zPyim0Uq4-yFv1nXtJetV91HSqG7kO6VexK5DPIoXxbQFvuZdQBsU5mpt6y4j3qQXTzS3Pca03ozyzeZSp_4iR9V1WrWL7zuN67KdQgA/s320/IMG_1296-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I called a friend that birds this area almost daily to get her observations.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tina, said that in the very calm waters off of Westport this morning, she saw fish breaking the waters surface.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Great Info! I have been doing well catching Atlantic Herring in Norwalk Harbor and other fishermen are catching these herring in almost every other harbor along the Fairfield County coastline.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bottom Line... these birds don't travel far from the refrigerator.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGDsj5JDrhsWQhNQOG3RCki7z6E-l7iQL80AWwSyM7-hpyOSpuLW_lJC1RBe01lSHReLvK_9FHK0qZzqSquPbEC5IuY3PRKWkd2Mkfo43E3rQBfqup-nt9XcaYm6l3dBzyWcIpPfhMQ/s1600/IMG_1303-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGDsj5JDrhsWQhNQOG3RCki7z6E-l7iQL80AWwSyM7-hpyOSpuLW_lJC1RBe01lSHReLvK_9FHK0qZzqSquPbEC5IuY3PRKWkd2Mkfo43E3rQBfqup-nt9XcaYm6l3dBzyWcIpPfhMQ/s320/IMG_1303-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Common Loon, inshore of Cockenoe Island, feeding on the flats, 3-4 ft of water.</div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-79925337165604015572011-12-29T14:43:00.001-05:002011-12-29T14:49:14.090-05:00A cold winter morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WAi4g5ddfAvXFmYDHCSrGp1Js9RXMUV5TUkLwZSnzPMTwKq42A2jCIedSaHwPZDJnTl3um3lqV8_HjgbRsOnieoWeTiFcVTxFRrw_El2svT1fI6d7OOWQMF7NXRKCl85nF4H3DnI-Q/s1600/IMG_1102_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WAi4g5ddfAvXFmYDHCSrGp1Js9RXMUV5TUkLwZSnzPMTwKq42A2jCIedSaHwPZDJnTl3um3lqV8_HjgbRsOnieoWeTiFcVTxFRrw_El2svT1fI6d7OOWQMF7NXRKCl85nF4H3DnI-Q/s320/IMG_1102_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While peering out my kitchen window, I notice that the hummingbird feeders had frozen up over night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With this mornings temperatures being in the low twenties, I guess it's time to take these feeders down before the glass tubes break from the ice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfu-hnsjjCzVyGzqBNnexCkyMLW3yZ3xCfPrZ-YQ43zpYTqPEFNHFcuciVg6pCEHAVDgCqaXK_CmCcBAQ-FXJI3nDvzHxRsMYlq2bOFt4JdIK3GRZ2KyAxJmRi-M36AdnrMogT_KOqYA/s1600/IMG_1076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfu-hnsjjCzVyGzqBNnexCkyMLW3yZ3xCfPrZ-YQ43zpYTqPEFNHFcuciVg6pCEHAVDgCqaXK_CmCcBAQ-FXJI3nDvzHxRsMYlq2bOFt4JdIK3GRZ2KyAxJmRi-M36AdnrMogT_KOqYA/s320/IMG_1076.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All was normal, White-throated Sparrows and Cardinals were under the other bird feeders, picking up seed that was being dropped to the ground by Chickadee's and Titmice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGl8J2ewpZSFXv3aJNrmq1jAhV4wEABREpISzLjcrzjU1tZopGHBnDKv5dYkrsG5N6Y2R9Nb8JsqE4HsVRpmSfJGopce9rBrIXN_vCYQ-XOGZWeNsjwLiuPdqZittvoLJ1f7TngEUEHg/s1600/IMG_1078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGl8J2ewpZSFXv3aJNrmq1jAhV4wEABREpISzLjcrzjU1tZopGHBnDKv5dYkrsG5N6Y2R9Nb8JsqE4HsVRpmSfJGopce9rBrIXN_vCYQ-XOGZWeNsjwLiuPdqZittvoLJ1f7TngEUEHg/s320/IMG_1078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Joining in on the feast were a number of Grey Squirrels.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Suddenly I saw a something spring out of nowhere, the wildlife that was just having breakfast scattered in all directions, I saw the critter that cause this commotion as it returned empty handed from under the junipers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIGBfevNl5bHwGWR3cEWFZkqvIcdHIAyd7cvVHR7apJ2OCUkMAr8_XayN1X0M_qCRIw944AKuPnTLhy9o8upCeKPm60qRCcU8n2zvUhgHJBpF09ee3tbhsSLtRmJmo3P_TbghSBGzqg/s1600/IMG_7703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIGBfevNl5bHwGWR3cEWFZkqvIcdHIAyd7cvVHR7apJ2OCUkMAr8_XayN1X0M_qCRIw944AKuPnTLhy9o8upCeKPm60qRCcU8n2zvUhgHJBpF09ee3tbhsSLtRmJmo3P_TbghSBGzqg/s320/IMG_7703.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Although this is not the culprit, it was one of this guy's feral cousins that was looking for breakfast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I saw where he went...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOnRjJncKMbNOm1_opOrDonp6ceI1rlNZ-FP5EjAdcUBHcPWPTk3MubSjCInEnnqfIpnArnOOdjpevriTx-SUvWXSrAyAWTcC4aJL1BJz9UZ9HaYuxvXwx60Ct2QbNM5Bjn41T4lboA/s1600/IMG_1085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOnRjJncKMbNOm1_opOrDonp6ceI1rlNZ-FP5EjAdcUBHcPWPTk3MubSjCInEnnqfIpnArnOOdjpevriTx-SUvWXSrAyAWTcC4aJL1BJz9UZ9HaYuxvXwx60Ct2QbNM5Bjn41T4lboA/s320/IMG_1085.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He appeared to go under the deck, I could see this place as a potential place for a surprise ambush.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I though he had gone back there to set up another attack.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Armed with a 2 million candlepower search light and my camera I set out to see if the cat was hiding in the dark shadows beneath the deck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't see anything obvious, but searching deeper into the darkness I saw something stir, however I didn't see the orange that was this cat's color.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Instead it was very dark...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRoPMs-Wb_hjV_ZiJveepBVLUsxeGzqAH75E1yh8uZbDpWkpLTPX9gmc2UDcMfM5Qfc7mJhX04dM-9HYjxki3aypIGdGnCmZoyrEkt-Kx-7OpWTbD0tokxo-ZD9lqqU9xrNsPKBAfJA/s1600/IMG_1082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRoPMs-Wb_hjV_ZiJveepBVLUsxeGzqAH75E1yh8uZbDpWkpLTPX9gmc2UDcMfM5Qfc7mJhX04dM-9HYjxki3aypIGdGnCmZoyrEkt-Kx-7OpWTbD0tokxo-ZD9lqqU9xrNsPKBAfJA/s320/IMG_1082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and with a black stripe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I took a quick snapshot and feeling bad that I had rudely awakened this sleeping skunk from its winter slumber, I called off my feline search party.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I was walking back towards the house, I saw one of our local Red-tail Hawks perched very close by in a neighbors tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3ejdsmOakl4BRIO8t4djUlT9rqjjSbLMxDk5fc4f_PXjBD5siQkiaNkwom099KMoKPdwnjPhcr3113VhlzDpQxt_82605hRDswzZz_3AnQKX2d4SZO42Fwv-aNZTolDHFVCeXKH_Lg/s1600/IMG_1069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3ejdsmOakl4BRIO8t4djUlT9rqjjSbLMxDk5fc4f_PXjBD5siQkiaNkwom099KMoKPdwnjPhcr3113VhlzDpQxt_82605hRDswzZz_3AnQKX2d4SZO42Fwv-aNZTolDHFVCeXKH_Lg/s320/IMG_1069.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, this juvenile hawk was giving be a very stern gaze, not only had the cat interrupted his hunting, but I was certainly doing the same. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back inside the warm comforts of the house, I could see the squirrels slowly inching their way back to the bird feeders.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I turned away from the window to leave nature to play out the remainder of this day on it's own terms.</div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-39979188478872787222011-09-15T17:00:00.000-04:002011-09-15T17:00:44.118-04:00Cockenoe Is. vs Irene<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lpOaFjjr21dkisako1oC3bPRH47w9bv4o-Jr0BRJq1gl-YlLkREgImjrQV1DZwWVxCyrL_2rRhGj7HF9IKTVwuArbFc6EuGHc81N8imQOs_dEDN2NscMfARp0M5SriUGoGdhtZcV6Q/s1600/IMG_0711-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lpOaFjjr21dkisako1oC3bPRH47w9bv4o-Jr0BRJq1gl-YlLkREgImjrQV1DZwWVxCyrL_2rRhGj7HF9IKTVwuArbFc6EuGHc81N8imQOs_dEDN2NscMfARp0M5SriUGoGdhtZcV6Q/s320/IMG_0711-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Cockenoe Island Sand Spit did not fare well in it's recent bout with Hurricane Irene.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All of the islands vegetation is gone as well as a foot or so of the top of the spit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Above is an old metal post, one of many that was exposed with the removal of the vegetation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My guess is that these were part of a dune grass protection fence from a few decades ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Seems like I remember something of that sort.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJicCv7YY87gQ-_mZNi22vODtaIAb2He2Y4Tiya9-eBJ75p7fj3pcX8qg7mCSUckeUblR1881EfN7nPjHlOA-zeTz2J0SP2glgE7f8tNS9rcsgdYTARKsNiLN9yFtyNXkWLmnCM9SyrQ/s1600/IMG_0723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJicCv7YY87gQ-_mZNi22vODtaIAb2He2Y4Tiya9-eBJ75p7fj3pcX8qg7mCSUckeUblR1881EfN7nPjHlOA-zeTz2J0SP2glgE7f8tNS9rcsgdYTARKsNiLN9yFtyNXkWLmnCM9SyrQ/s320/IMG_0723.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In this post Irene picture we are looking south. You can use the back round trees as reference point for the next photo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnuze_Jyn775uzgEYnWmU9LIUKZMO_41ZP7HtChS8bjxKWTUI69_ev8kde-Sdh1vIoYi29H__59YV3bVXIucoPbiFdOHc-CPKpaaivcEvJ1vssA1_WMpRgM6Qrd9oaWMJ_fBDB1G9Pg/s1600/IMG_4153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnuze_Jyn775uzgEYnWmU9LIUKZMO_41ZP7HtChS8bjxKWTUI69_ev8kde-Sdh1vIoYi29H__59YV3bVXIucoPbiFdOHc-CPKpaaivcEvJ1vssA1_WMpRgM6Qrd9oaWMJ_fBDB1G9Pg/s320/IMG_4153.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This photo is the same part of the spit, from summer of 2010.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5krBp5hrLfFpJ0-wHsNIxb-U3IySh-xUYopQI8diFHtDOFzj05yZCerVLSElUKKtRIQg9Zhr93nHolNpIf0uhJLAwuClzy40JQRqRqeTVTs3fUZluMJ-2OZPzFVk2ahyphenhyphen2h7tD2zAjZQ/s1600/IMG_6470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5krBp5hrLfFpJ0-wHsNIxb-U3IySh-xUYopQI8diFHtDOFzj05yZCerVLSElUKKtRIQg9Zhr93nHolNpIf0uhJLAwuClzy40JQRqRqeTVTs3fUZluMJ-2OZPzFVk2ahyphenhyphen2h7tD2zAjZQ/s320/IMG_6470.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is another shot from 2010, this time looking north towards the mainland.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3i7j0WtpYirke6mhNuR64qpuiRcf5z5_VWSYySQMdQAAm7S3Cmu_oSYbhkvAiq5JLfos70rQfScgeRnB28c0AmwpQviA3sRNvx5Xn59vFQYWI0xx6vRLNZ67fHNg2VP7e_5JKukrTA/s1600/IMG_0727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3i7j0WtpYirke6mhNuR64qpuiRcf5z5_VWSYySQMdQAAm7S3Cmu_oSYbhkvAiq5JLfos70rQfScgeRnB28c0AmwpQviA3sRNvx5Xn59vFQYWI0xx6vRLNZ67fHNg2VP7e_5JKukrTA/s320/IMG_0727.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Same north facing shot, after Irene.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out the small dark projection in the middle of this photo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKB0j6YHTnpB1dhkOLhxTy1qjdxOWToIrUfG8BlsXZHgfkuooSfsM8X-M_jK68NWodxMJ5SwXApLDTOJorAfm5HlTGL-LsjOQxn9LrF1rD7hCGTsovEmwaTuLhS6ySgxNt76qLfsGog/s1600/IMG_0718-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKB0j6YHTnpB1dhkOLhxTy1qjdxOWToIrUfG8BlsXZHgfkuooSfsM8X-M_jK68NWodxMJ5SwXApLDTOJorAfm5HlTGL-LsjOQxn9LrF1rD7hCGTsovEmwaTuLhS6ySgxNt76qLfsGog/s320/IMG_0718-1.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is what was left to the root system of one of the beach plants, this root is about a foot or more in height, it is easy to see where the plant snapped off and how much erosion took place in order to expose the remains of the plant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qcGxxaZKJhZH9OUPkCQO9ApSA4gSQpbJ3yGfgzsIzZiurC32yCMuVb1AOkg5kIdcHZNUHeJcn1FTOIXu827pGu92MavsL7747k0gMd7F4Ro0YGzxwXObLl2Ifdo59jwyx_KaOxnC-g/s1600/IMG_0719-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qcGxxaZKJhZH9OUPkCQO9ApSA4gSQpbJ3yGfgzsIzZiurC32yCMuVb1AOkg5kIdcHZNUHeJcn1FTOIXu827pGu92MavsL7747k0gMd7F4Ro0YGzxwXObLl2Ifdo59jwyx_KaOxnC-g/s320/IMG_0719-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The USFW bird fencing has been either ripped out or snapped off and is now on the eastern side of the island.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwf2CK9T1BOny6hDpUApI1ykRObD8WvbkMqQArEp8DwBCNGcFrfjkMo0PPAGaFfOyus2NIWcl5Hv99ucmfoA_zkYi0Qr5oTD_DsKTnXAB-QhXm4wiwvR9D6ubUgClQ8k_Hv2_hjDdfIg/s1600/IMG_0721-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwf2CK9T1BOny6hDpUApI1ykRObD8WvbkMqQArEp8DwBCNGcFrfjkMo0PPAGaFfOyus2NIWcl5Hv99ucmfoA_zkYi0Qr5oTD_DsKTnXAB-QhXm4wiwvR9D6ubUgClQ8k_Hv2_hjDdfIg/s320/IMG_0721-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The metal fence post were either bent 90 degrees or snapped in two.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgNO0VCPIv-nUS-eYk50RHEl0DWOPXLFaXqyqzz4zZ5GQmUdGs393nmXJX07mxGWP3I7sj-OMK5OKJ9R6djpbM0At6QUaapcQMAECyeFI-FnWudXX4fNw0Z_D5xl31f7NUtTthCxphQ/s1600/IMG_0725-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgNO0VCPIv-nUS-eYk50RHEl0DWOPXLFaXqyqzz4zZ5GQmUdGs393nmXJX07mxGWP3I7sj-OMK5OKJ9R6djpbM0At6QUaapcQMAECyeFI-FnWudXX4fNw0Z_D5xl31f7NUtTthCxphQ/s320/IMG_0725-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I tried to pull this line out of the ground, impossible!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is covered over with so much sand and rock, it might take a backhoe to dig it up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll leave it for the next hurricane or for someone else to find in another fifty years</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeQK9vgFEJNB7W3dS7j-uJFH9Uk8MVrM6b8hEp7ybCIoIunST_RyEP2h9N1ZQ2CgqGNVF9K1HPFXxuAnO07oPxn46zchjSPI7MU0WqzzwWRO19aZqZO1YI43ML6NWhtVRj6XyhyphenhyphenksEg/s1600/IMG_0682-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeQK9vgFEJNB7W3dS7j-uJFH9Uk8MVrM6b8hEp7ybCIoIunST_RyEP2h9N1ZQ2CgqGNVF9K1HPFXxuAnO07oPxn46zchjSPI7MU0WqzzwWRO19aZqZO1YI43ML6NWhtVRj6XyhyphenhyphenksEg/s320/IMG_0682-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is still bird life around, I found six American Oystercatchers at Cockenoe and another fifty three gathered on Crow Island, these were some of them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHk9IsNLStBpl-uC7KHETwTBTv_yaN2d_oD188h_kvAiTRC1Qiyn1WN9xRNowCyNhR0SCHYVXFmle2oEU4juJsmTtE7wfIUrAeqxNcpOK1dtwjWn3TMDmPIg2yRM1q9ChkpWKLKw1gBw/s1600/IMG_0758-1-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHk9IsNLStBpl-uC7KHETwTBTv_yaN2d_oD188h_kvAiTRC1Qiyn1WN9xRNowCyNhR0SCHYVXFmle2oEU4juJsmTtE7wfIUrAeqxNcpOK1dtwjWn3TMDmPIg2yRM1q9ChkpWKLKw1gBw/s320/IMG_0758-1-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A half dozen Osprey were feeding in Norwalk Harbor, here is one carrying an Atlantic Menhaden, one of the ospreys favorite dishes. This fish is locally know as "bunker"</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4BSfcx1Tvt0DnPH6XTzvI-57GlfvNmcHonbilFpNn-qCOQ2IZyrKIZPpqxIqFLnFWkw_dK53hJ2WIAv68Q2Ii0WnH5NK3RaeWZWynO9EVNCFh5GnQlH-inBw1Fk-DFv3zQWJS3-VfA/s1600/IMG_0746-1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4BSfcx1Tvt0DnPH6XTzvI-57GlfvNmcHonbilFpNn-qCOQ2IZyrKIZPpqxIqFLnFWkw_dK53hJ2WIAv68Q2Ii0WnH5NK3RaeWZWynO9EVNCFh5GnQlH-inBw1Fk-DFv3zQWJS3-VfA/s320/IMG_0746-1-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">There was a feeding frenzy near the Cockenoe Is. sand spit, not only by Laughing Gulls, but a number of Common Terns and Herring Gulls as well. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The disturbance was from small bait fish being pushed to the top by bluefish.</div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-26962961977539454662011-07-21T01:28:00.001-04:002011-07-21T01:30:32.687-04:00It's been a while...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5F4ZFgvz5xVJNdBZiZQTu-IXZQyWocps84Jpg70hIrQKTdxCyEjot4W_aEM8tX8RqIKTsMgOz-OV10fFUGvszUVtBCdhT4bUQitqgo9v8goY1P0kVB6Y-j0EL3XGNSH8j3Ay3-jyMQQ/s1600/IMG_0331-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5F4ZFgvz5xVJNdBZiZQTu-IXZQyWocps84Jpg70hIrQKTdxCyEjot4W_aEM8tX8RqIKTsMgOz-OV10fFUGvszUVtBCdhT4bUQitqgo9v8goY1P0kVB6Y-j0EL3XGNSH8j3Ay3-jyMQQ/s320/IMG_0331-2.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's been a while since my last post, health issues have slowed me to a crawl for the past several months.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Feeling a tad better, I finally made it out on the boat today for the first time in almost two months.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Though I spent most of my time scraping barnacles,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I did get some fine birding in at Cockenoe Island, Westport.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2uY1mnBbdO_3c40Ik5lxc-P6iuWh_QjrklVE_zunWRdTrOwes2o4NuK54CQLlb2qN3hGh5KSANmDZBnclD0Zb2H7h5z90glp_ct5S3ACKOJE3eQbLo-BsXkH0PKARhF5oSnQo3y0Ug/s1600/IMG_0375-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2uY1mnBbdO_3c40Ik5lxc-P6iuWh_QjrklVE_zunWRdTrOwes2o4NuK54CQLlb2qN3hGh5KSANmDZBnclD0Zb2H7h5z90glp_ct5S3ACKOJE3eQbLo-BsXkH0PKARhF5oSnQo3y0Ug/s320/IMG_0375-1.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before I made it to Cockenoe, I found these two Long-tail Ducks hanging out on Calf Pasture Island.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few of these birds may hang out around the islands during the summer instead of migrating north to the arctic to breed. I often wonder, is this because they can't fly?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1-l6xl45Rs9QlLcsy_hao2r_oqJ4Q8Z8b9DYimmL1gv7t5wetVCgRZ-BJcTyhpI6eSd7owxlNti7_xB1ux5NIXl8NPDRNSguVEtz2Uv7G_Us9tVW09AmhWrrpafqABPF_NnKRq6W1A/s1600/IMG_0384-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1-l6xl45Rs9QlLcsy_hao2r_oqJ4Q8Z8b9DYimmL1gv7t5wetVCgRZ-BJcTyhpI6eSd7owxlNti7_xB1ux5NIXl8NPDRNSguVEtz2Uv7G_Us9tVW09AmhWrrpafqABPF_NnKRq6W1A/s320/IMG_0384-1.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are both males and appear to be in post alternate (breeding) plumage</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQuR2vr9DzWjDQIHLA1-Rt-UjghtG38f7CM74UYskCowUcN3d7VkQy7-4HG6M2WRqzO3Vwj-4V6Fuz78pY77TZrndTje4GuHSMFi0NiHrTW5OsjCmyuXtAiWdaxIRSVUDSue8fAdC-w/s1600/IMG_0404-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQuR2vr9DzWjDQIHLA1-Rt-UjghtG38f7CM74UYskCowUcN3d7VkQy7-4HG6M2WRqzO3Vwj-4V6Fuz78pY77TZrndTje4GuHSMFi0NiHrTW5OsjCmyuXtAiWdaxIRSVUDSue8fAdC-w/s320/IMG_0404-1.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Arriving at Cockenoe, I found about fifteen American Oystercatchers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In this photo a juvenile is to the left and the adult is on the right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Notice several difference between the two.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The color of the eyes, bill and back are not the same.The young bird is changing it's look fast and soon it will be the same coloration's as the adult.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnu8wxKwPidgNU8v3Wgy8CS9RvXQ-pMqxGIbuLe1QKxoR5XplFOhckiy7q7Jb0UML8_goid4h850DITw0LkInYk3VcFHKahxGES5HPKGdBifLAXIpjzuaOFMCQer8-wOucSTc6h9-XQ/s1600/IMG_0407-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnu8wxKwPidgNU8v3Wgy8CS9RvXQ-pMqxGIbuLe1QKxoR5XplFOhckiy7q7Jb0UML8_goid4h850DITw0LkInYk3VcFHKahxGES5HPKGdBifLAXIpjzuaOFMCQer8-wOucSTc6h9-XQ/s320/IMG_0407-1.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the islands back bay I couldn't miss all these egrets.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I counted 127 in this area, the camera missed a bunch on either side. Elsewhere on the island</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I easily found another one hundred.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are mostly all this years youngsters as there is a good size rookery here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The majority of this flock are Great Egrets with a few dozen Snowy Egrets mixed in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't look up close, I'm sure there were other heron species here also.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdanSWRYZXzKhCZITD4wrf9tPSa9xtYJLuUf15unrFErNcCQwPFDVbotFTuJLNvFtZLiiD_tgADVtsNJzIhxttmu4qtNNCRYglVVRyJMY7h5PdkLHRQTuoq_OTXGfsnqO5QUpSWEnYg/s1600/IMG_0416-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdanSWRYZXzKhCZITD4wrf9tPSa9xtYJLuUf15unrFErNcCQwPFDVbotFTuJLNvFtZLiiD_tgADVtsNJzIhxttmu4qtNNCRYglVVRyJMY7h5PdkLHRQTuoq_OTXGfsnqO5QUpSWEnYg/s320/IMG_0416-1.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Sandspit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">US Fish and Wildlife took care of the fencing this year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Judging by the hundreds of young Common Terns USFW did a great job protecting the colony.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I did not see any Least Terns out here today, they started nesting here in late May but did not succeed and move on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hqfTCDIefPuphVXfDIlr5kpIb3bARrDgzQRasF1zy93xWDRMrWcS8fS2dWR5WQJeRGeZCVNi7TCRU-m7TGzFKMJ69v5YHiVxxQTut-XOyxi0aJ60sEDgj-PG_RVXJcTnnKPMzZ8RXA/s1600/IMG_0417-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hqfTCDIefPuphVXfDIlr5kpIb3bARrDgzQRasF1zy93xWDRMrWcS8fS2dWR5WQJeRGeZCVNi7TCRU-m7TGzFKMJ69v5YHiVxxQTut-XOyxi0aJ60sEDgj-PG_RVXJcTnnKPMzZ8RXA/s320/IMG_0417-1.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another view.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFLNklOBxvaJBbeFwBmVXIw7LG2M1q8ebRs7pgRdbJgMyKcA5h_HiZ0Rq1Vynu_Ze-o7RsQnUks_xW9gsUHX6Q7Ot49BKCMHFF0D5rFEkkq1RpguU1BAxfetRlvzL9Ey8dvsZYKFKLA/s1600/IMG_0427-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFLNklOBxvaJBbeFwBmVXIw7LG2M1q8ebRs7pgRdbJgMyKcA5h_HiZ0Rq1Vynu_Ze-o7RsQnUks_xW9gsUHX6Q7Ot49BKCMHFF0D5rFEkkq1RpguU1BAxfetRlvzL9Ey8dvsZYKFKLA/s320/IMG_0427-1.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few laughing gulls on the sandbar leading to the sand spit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Note the three different plumage stages between the four gulls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3MBLk00IK9DUXhN7mdcoEmJbuAYhhRU89hBOjgTCK5aekJ5g_zjfUCBJ255J6yuZ2X1IiP7OYwttvTHp_7fVKaIVES0CsjcbL1MyERafRqHn0FDyxqhEJrg1U6L2tDXwBtj3rugU-Q/s1600/IMG_0436-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3MBLk00IK9DUXhN7mdcoEmJbuAYhhRU89hBOjgTCK5aekJ5g_zjfUCBJ255J6yuZ2X1IiP7OYwttvTHp_7fVKaIVES0CsjcbL1MyERafRqHn0FDyxqhEJrg1U6L2tDXwBtj3rugU-Q/s320/IMG_0436-1.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With ninety degree temps today, these six Common Tern hatchlings found the only shady spot on the sandspit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhBKV9XZU2OPJraapCzRPLvxR86HoUFDOeSIEZm-44GPFmGv4O1CGlvPauTQzxd-B6WcSV1-0mjwMShuMu7gdlbJ8swtEhdxUgdzD8Z8Qo_Em4w1wL6eOyv_Zy0Sd_Ugj1ohq1jj_Jw/s1600/IMG_1250-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhBKV9XZU2OPJraapCzRPLvxR86HoUFDOeSIEZm-44GPFmGv4O1CGlvPauTQzxd-B6WcSV1-0mjwMShuMu7gdlbJ8swtEhdxUgdzD8Z8Qo_Em4w1wL6eOyv_Zy0Sd_Ugj1ohq1jj_Jw/s320/IMG_1250-1.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Todays surprise was this Whimbrel mixed in with several Willet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Whimbrels do show up as individual birds almost every year on Cockenoe in late July and August.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OKJ_Ast9pl3tLjgUQGfA3j5w_TK7PTu0GC4sp_D7AK0scAQv44BkvDc6IDpGWtprNeT9OY1g3YvUUrzZA8TVjPQXFPH-BXvTmCFxmw0as6kMMRJSlhjK4bgZAtINfpSDp1Fi2g3SBw/s1600/IMG_0442-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OKJ_Ast9pl3tLjgUQGfA3j5w_TK7PTu0GC4sp_D7AK0scAQv44BkvDc6IDpGWtprNeT9OY1g3YvUUrzZA8TVjPQXFPH-BXvTmCFxmw0as6kMMRJSlhjK4bgZAtINfpSDp1Fi2g3SBw/s320/IMG_0442-1.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The calender say's we are almost into August, yet this female Osprey is still adding to her nest on one of the local lighted channel markers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Her mate is perched above to the right and she has three chicks in the nest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSWbW1EdLU-IMeXvGclrPbnHJ_2RP6i3xcY9GZAGagGuGsP5XA8AxRlmK02-1LqcOcDHE4fE9iGsUF0aJHlQ4tBMCp8vcvn8jH4HUbKieYW73xCEmny_jX__zUQXyAgMf9eQKMHyOWg/s1600/IMG_0443-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSWbW1EdLU-IMeXvGclrPbnHJ_2RP6i3xcY9GZAGagGuGsP5XA8AxRlmK02-1LqcOcDHE4fE9iGsUF0aJHlQ4tBMCp8vcvn8jH4HUbKieYW73xCEmny_jX__zUQXyAgMf9eQKMHyOWg/s320/IMG_0443-1.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Those three chicks appear to be wondering " where's the fish, we can't eat any more of the darn sticks"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The third chick is way to the right, almost hidden.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope to be back soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Best to All!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Larry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-72843370487029873352011-04-01T01:34:00.000-04:002011-04-01T01:34:30.965-04:00Horned Orioles?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnffRKopsuYTyxq6GkhjRaYioHH_TCKchm5XVV8PN-PaOsBso6oba48s1oondJo82SpEBN4Imv5qbubkg1XWW-u0HqTwo8dBTVwtQce6QBIHegpHurcG8K8QmHjU2vHUxldQM28ROPQ/s1600/IMG_0033-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnffRKopsuYTyxq6GkhjRaYioHH_TCKchm5XVV8PN-PaOsBso6oba48s1oondJo82SpEBN4Imv5qbubkg1XWW-u0HqTwo8dBTVwtQce6QBIHegpHurcG8K8QmHjU2vHUxldQM28ROPQ/s320/IMG_0033-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The pair of Baltimore Orioles that have wintered over in my Norwalk CT backyard are looking a bit ragged these days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out the A bird in molt, of course it's not a Horned Lark, but it is this oriole's best impression of one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last week around 3/22 I noticed a difference in the two orioles, I thought perhaps they were sick.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Worried like the Mother Hen that I am with these two, I almost freaked out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I started photographing them and talked to bird rehabbers, soon I saw that this was just a molt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wow, I could relax.... I am now photographing them daily to show the progression of the molt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Something that is rarely seen in wild Baltimore Orioles in these parts, since they do this molting process before they return to New England.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyYLMsWyV-xfLxgqqIYM4f3OhQBL0IGeddP9pob0PHJwVglY5ZRYnylTgYsL2q0IsxL1aKOtOiXebMxahi1oh2iKm92i-t5myJ_s7dcQ113G4Yf15G1Nq0KXTBU2BqKsoqRKzf1pmWA/s1600/IMG_0012-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyYLMsWyV-xfLxgqqIYM4f3OhQBL0IGeddP9pob0PHJwVglY5ZRYnylTgYsL2q0IsxL1aKOtOiXebMxahi1oh2iKm92i-t5myJ_s7dcQ113G4Yf15G1Nq0KXTBU2BqKsoqRKzf1pmWA/s320/IMG_0012-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hanging out near the Oriole feeders, is one of my best backyard bird friends, this Mockingbird is doing it's best Cyclops Mockery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This bird is very friendly and is always in line for a few meal worms.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course all these birds need someone to look out after them when I am not around.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO40Y7MEuT-nm6quojVWf_hFWHuWfWRzfvDQat-rulPjdI_ecahFVOr4Hk9H89Jf8xkwR71PE6URTgHAgLasAdRtixl8TRTKc_nwu9plHoMmiulh57IEmYAWe4RcjNaI4TCMfSAXRDEQ/s1600/IMG_0095-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO40Y7MEuT-nm6quojVWf_hFWHuWfWRzfvDQat-rulPjdI_ecahFVOr4Hk9H89Jf8xkwR71PE6URTgHAgLasAdRtixl8TRTKc_nwu9plHoMmiulh57IEmYAWe4RcjNaI4TCMfSAXRDEQ/s320/IMG_0095-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This dude gladly volunteered to keep watch over my flock.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I found it in the neighbors magnolia tree this afternoon, just yards away from the Oriole feeders.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I kept shooting and shooting with the camera, getting closer and closer, this bird had no fear of me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I walked directly under this Sharp-shinned Hawk, just feet away, it still would not flush.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I checked under all the evergreens, I did not see any feather piles...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also did not see the Orioles for the rest of the evening, yet their meal worms disappeared while we were not watching, I'm sure they are fine, they deal with these raptors daily.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPCfGXpQf_YV9q3kMC6MFNzuZT83Xh7v1LMaHlSSYsrkWPih45qdIStwNyn-ubUyqk55T7XbLPUf38s0jItPNAZjPkCkIJURe7KPPZwM7N_YV3_aH2TmLQmMBALD5cv7ylg0zuRII7Q/s1600/IMG_0064-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPCfGXpQf_YV9q3kMC6MFNzuZT83Xh7v1LMaHlSSYsrkWPih45qdIStwNyn-ubUyqk55T7XbLPUf38s0jItPNAZjPkCkIJURe7KPPZwM7N_YV3_aH2TmLQmMBALD5cv7ylg0zuRII7Q/s320/IMG_0064-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember that 60's song by Sam the Sham and the Pharaoh's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Hey there little Black Vulture Bird, you sure are looking good"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Found this lone bird in Fairfield on 3/29 keeping watch on a roadkill raccoon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All right, it's Little Red Riding Hood, don't get upset Sam.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxusPLdvpBI7hbnE28gmgHrlm8abQ9QcXoZzftpkBVmTpMzQBNQVz4hyphenhyphenvfsNyS_Vp90NKWnG2tkb20cYNb2nUqiK6f2xbhlJ8H3I0Yt1vsxMBJCHHJFJMVcm8bvbCrzPJWfZopczMuSw/s1600/IMG_1754-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxusPLdvpBI7hbnE28gmgHrlm8abQ9QcXoZzftpkBVmTpMzQBNQVz4hyphenhyphenvfsNyS_Vp90NKWnG2tkb20cYNb2nUqiK6f2xbhlJ8H3I0Yt1vsxMBJCHHJFJMVcm8bvbCrzPJWfZopczMuSw/s320/IMG_1754-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This past Saturday, I was the guest on Chris Bosak's "Bird Call's" radio show.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Chris in action in the above photo at the WNLK/WSTC Studios in Norwalk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1350/1400 AM.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The show broadcast live each Saturday from 3-4 in the afternoon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you are out of range or missed the show, they are archived on Chris's website.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.birdsofnewengland.com/">www.birdsofnewengland.com</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8TDGXY4W-hR_wFLHHFpUCyOq0trTQOlyO8eIipwa6BY4m8yhU6gV-WcSRiGXi-WTiHHNqL0eqPZlVGoLlDAokG9YmdvnTfN5h_QSGir-Ii2uA3ToQfACLWl3hGW2sqFaQHIHpWgZXQ/s1600/IMG_1757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8TDGXY4W-hR_wFLHHFpUCyOq0trTQOlyO8eIipwa6BY4m8yhU6gV-WcSRiGXi-WTiHHNqL0eqPZlVGoLlDAokG9YmdvnTfN5h_QSGir-Ii2uA3ToQfACLWl3hGW2sqFaQHIHpWgZXQ/s320/IMG_1757.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yours truely on the radio, move over Don Imus!</div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-80597195971552214892011-03-20T01:30:00.000-04:002011-03-20T01:30:35.400-04:00Plankton, Tows and Gulls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbThR4J9cXYEe3K1UqZV9bRcKld9sWxu7EcX2HGYsgvl0LVZj39G7WshfRhuoErguUyxYh_UH839voNp8YWAL3EZ7_qZl-W1wCzuEK6o1TWX8jqFs-fOYahN9vtO4q2sRYYrjPXQrZg/s1600/IMG_9822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbThR4J9cXYEe3K1UqZV9bRcKld9sWxu7EcX2HGYsgvl0LVZj39G7WshfRhuoErguUyxYh_UH839voNp8YWAL3EZ7_qZl-W1wCzuEK6o1TWX8jqFs-fOYahN9vtO4q2sRYYrjPXQrZg/s320/IMG_9822.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While at the Connecticut Conference on Natural Resources last week, Dennis Varza and I bumped into </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jack Barclay after one of the classroom sessions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jack mentioned that he would like to collect plankton samples off the coastline from Norwalk to Stratford.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It took no arm twisting at all to have me fire up the outboard and start this St. Patricks Day journey.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Instead of being at a parade with marching bands, pipes and drums corps and others, we ran into a different parade, this one was of gulls, thousands of them along with hundreds of other birds, such as brant, black duck, and scaup, all feeding on the microscopic life we know as plankton. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiVi2Ry_PyghaXlkqxM14pUFG-flXccs9n5X0PYY2sWzIcld4oE7OLBnka1AoSgUMXaRGJG499fj63A-KT2bb_lOJanMkeca0Nfohhvv24cgE1AOdk6gWMVvF1AyeG8EN5aZlzPNaWA/s1600/IMG_9837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiVi2Ry_PyghaXlkqxM14pUFG-flXccs9n5X0PYY2sWzIcld4oE7OLBnka1AoSgUMXaRGJG499fj63A-KT2bb_lOJanMkeca0Nfohhvv24cgE1AOdk6gWMVvF1AyeG8EN5aZlzPNaWA/s320/IMG_9837.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They all had one thing in common, that was to feast not on corned beef, but the bountiful masses of the various plankton that were afloat to the waters surface.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was easy to find the plankton, just find the birds</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbhaEawEXEifuzBgyK5Hdp7c_pVOXDcgpjHWZjO1qtuwloJRzAfbDE3sQNVUtCuQyqXIsrzDaSBe5OQtrW8GTShU04azkZRO8j6tYbuITK78NsGArtUoBzOAizLyNNnXyftLuuoUBmQ/s1600/IMG_9806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbhaEawEXEifuzBgyK5Hdp7c_pVOXDcgpjHWZjO1qtuwloJRzAfbDE3sQNVUtCuQyqXIsrzDaSBe5OQtrW8GTShU04azkZRO8j6tYbuITK78NsGArtUoBzOAizLyNNnXyftLuuoUBmQ/s320/IMG_9806.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jack provided all the equipment needed, most importantly this plankton seine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We would make a slow troll with it at about two knots and for several hundred yards before hauling it back on board.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44ops59rLoLc6OptvuxQVlGUav-hQ6kz2FWX5s4SYe9E3gmcJbxtc3QKdc7lbD9nJgvG46FwYaAp7Hd20cH5aMMpAHvd-diuhl8YFbqcS5augH7qdB6ziHsDQBD398IiesAh4Tpgprg/s1600/IMG_1745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44ops59rLoLc6OptvuxQVlGUav-hQ6kz2FWX5s4SYe9E3gmcJbxtc3QKdc7lbD9nJgvG46FwYaAp7Hd20cH5aMMpAHvd-diuhl8YFbqcS5augH7qdB6ziHsDQBD398IiesAh4Tpgprg/s320/IMG_1745.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This bottle at the end of the net is the capture tank that holds everything we gathered on the trawl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you can see, it is past being full.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWUcrCNvSmZdTtevOYK5UxJHLdqkLz7thnMoR2LFVwIOu4Ekcy_5-CICTNZaLrzikK_YuD0vPhe1x0drwfmvbxJFFG-oChSnDGg7pzvUrVZAJSz-tX-TAaO8Y2VTgd-tuw3AlrbeyQQ/s1600/IMG_1733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWUcrCNvSmZdTtevOYK5UxJHLdqkLz7thnMoR2LFVwIOu4Ekcy_5-CICTNZaLrzikK_YuD0vPhe1x0drwfmvbxJFFG-oChSnDGg7pzvUrVZAJSz-tX-TAaO8Y2VTgd-tuw3AlrbeyQQ/s320/IMG_1733.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jack and Dennis preparing to unscrew the bottle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOam182n9gkKDQ3xtkOw_Dm5fOl9c5-Mc5e5kxV9SjobcZRgf3GyFsXo5rxfFLGu6eMcCCrsOJxTuHoPSZ9i-pjoAORtnNc6adK3V8Shko31BmMaq9mRstcoWeLh7qn1wKHJCqphqMQ/s1600/IMG_1740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOam182n9gkKDQ3xtkOw_Dm5fOl9c5-Mc5e5kxV9SjobcZRgf3GyFsXo5rxfFLGu6eMcCCrsOJxTuHoPSZ9i-pjoAORtnNc6adK3V8Shko31BmMaq9mRstcoWeLh7qn1wKHJCqphqMQ/s320/IMG_1740.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then empty the contents into a plastic bag.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBkfcLgBiny9WU7Y2goX2Jn0m7RAMS1hSML10BIaKXb-Y-GmrgigvtWutigae1E6m9uCNCbZBQ0Ic_Mo5Dp7p7o8Cwsut5yoxyOVXtTXfUy4NgMBDr27NrKw0bITrHKdBaOBaxNCypg/s1600/IMG_1735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBkfcLgBiny9WU7Y2goX2Jn0m7RAMS1hSML10BIaKXb-Y-GmrgigvtWutigae1E6m9uCNCbZBQ0Ic_Mo5Dp7p7o8Cwsut5yoxyOVXtTXfUy4NgMBDr27NrKw0bITrHKdBaOBaxNCypg/s320/IMG_1735.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thousands and thousands of microscopic living animals (zooplankton) and plant life (phytoplankton) abound in this small bag.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkjcUKR-oMNYxWhLrmiCHUyMm5PDubiF-98TjvWONfS7497lVwkIxVUZeahSDBzFzyoU3FD1lIq4vmkUHN08VrRCIg6vsMJf_R0pjfTBIcnOf9LM5i_JnWpzlFKiCFfg5qpN9FmBF0Q/s1600/IMG_1724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkjcUKR-oMNYxWhLrmiCHUyMm5PDubiF-98TjvWONfS7497lVwkIxVUZeahSDBzFzyoU3FD1lIq4vmkUHN08VrRCIg6vsMJf_R0pjfTBIcnOf9LM5i_JnWpzlFKiCFfg5qpN9FmBF0Q/s320/IMG_1724.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bags are quickly labeled and put on ice, data entered includes Lat/Lon,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">time of drag start and finish, water temp, air temp, wind direction and velocity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUJM_hz646s24g3ZTObEwCGXDqg5wp77yI12z80oytOtys5zuRM29hLoa1i3K4KocnJO4SWVC_dq3E7n61ud2jnrg_5lU0UfX5hQm7AXTirS97dQ2NWj-b3G1ZZrMwKwwYXbdZAtUnw/s1600/IMG_9826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUJM_hz646s24g3ZTObEwCGXDqg5wp77yI12z80oytOtys5zuRM29hLoa1i3K4KocnJO4SWVC_dq3E7n61ud2jnrg_5lU0UfX5hQm7AXTirS97dQ2NWj-b3G1ZZrMwKwwYXbdZAtUnw/s320/IMG_9826.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The seawall off Stratford's Lordship Point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Birds were gourging themselves along the beach from this seawall on east to Stratford Light House. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IQ__F6PiBMQ4TiYF0SIIGqChgAXjMBU-U7dpgV4DNr_R1M1G5yGwaI_tUtber5IIdwsaidMw1lPX4vhuzKjk977Mn_vfFS_1i-lTvFJRKuyjt_pYFhcMzUV4qQVDXEQtQPTU5K8N7w/s1600/IMG_1726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IQ__F6PiBMQ4TiYF0SIIGqChgAXjMBU-U7dpgV4DNr_R1M1G5yGwaI_tUtber5IIdwsaidMw1lPX4vhuzKjk977Mn_vfFS_1i-lTvFJRKuyjt_pYFhcMzUV4qQVDXEQtQPTU5K8N7w/s320/IMG_1726.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More microscopic gull food</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zSwNioKUpZpmAgyTMH0uHi1ao78lIJ5KIYznV0rLni-YjXasUlmaeVO2TVWQnKGDKWEoqUv0uQfZbf-cayJmCRrgsGvP-zePpgdxkC5x8EZPcA3o3J5h9O3ttmqh5lGSgJNGItozgA/s1600/IMG_9787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zSwNioKUpZpmAgyTMH0uHi1ao78lIJ5KIYznV0rLni-YjXasUlmaeVO2TVWQnKGDKWEoqUv0uQfZbf-cayJmCRrgsGvP-zePpgdxkC5x8EZPcA3o3J5h9O3ttmqh5lGSgJNGItozgA/s320/IMG_9787.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bonaparte's Gull were numerous around the plankton blooms</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmp48ROmI5Cj6E1u1Dj4YbiI5WjCqh_bin6WtWSEYZn9nBuH-N90JHQL0HBnuBmWAI76fP9nLq2iBGwQrgyjuwO5nzfePukAlhV0YyPpbQdUXYA8lMyvtfylcLkfpvVNYH4S0bLD7AIQ/s1600/IMG_9850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmp48ROmI5Cj6E1u1Dj4YbiI5WjCqh_bin6WtWSEYZn9nBuH-N90JHQL0HBnuBmWAI76fP9nLq2iBGwQrgyjuwO5nzfePukAlhV0YyPpbQdUXYA8lMyvtfylcLkfpvVNYH4S0bLD7AIQ/s320/IMG_9850.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The entrance to Bridgeport Harbor easily had the largest number of birds feeding on the plankton today</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzzrkcqIzZFQqEFrf62QYAq_-bMXFDHAtvdL2fSqJoWVSanJ3LWGENTWIzU37TAgTGa6c4rOdydyPqWY5mFmYJeUWaejTOn6nHZDCKDgePc4sWr053I-z7J1lIEzFq-KbvAUFqWAckw/s1600/IMG_9851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzzrkcqIzZFQqEFrf62QYAq_-bMXFDHAtvdL2fSqJoWVSanJ3LWGENTWIzU37TAgTGa6c4rOdydyPqWY5mFmYJeUWaejTOn6nHZDCKDgePc4sWr053I-z7J1lIEzFq-KbvAUFqWAckw/s320/IMG_9851.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These four pictures could be put together for a panoramic view of the thousands of birds around the boat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OnBlJVHaLW9e4SxbS4J2Pele1POszcDpfsKGSZj3keGErJjmPFJr-K0fjSGobqWyWgm3d1TUNmoUNkK4AemmMFq7oUOnKZSo3UOU1_mGfYno5PRIb0OZ6EshjZXKzAHPyMhZtGrLCg/s1600/IMG_9853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OnBlJVHaLW9e4SxbS4J2Pele1POszcDpfsKGSZj3keGErJjmPFJr-K0fjSGobqWyWgm3d1TUNmoUNkK4AemmMFq7oUOnKZSo3UOU1_mGfYno5PRIb0OZ6EshjZXKzAHPyMhZtGrLCg/s320/IMG_9853.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Seaside Park</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rWq_2eM531ydzjj_ae5mKdrYIFXVY39PysVAnggrd4w1ZegSoe9IBl56KmsmpLEuU5EuaBFo17HX8LtpVhi9T470l4ycDoFW1p1xuUbYMaha6w7FgahfOFOXOhE0sNLrPGoo9sppEg/s1600/IMG_9862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rWq_2eM531ydzjj_ae5mKdrYIFXVY39PysVAnggrd4w1ZegSoe9IBl56KmsmpLEuU5EuaBFo17HX8LtpVhi9T470l4ycDoFW1p1xuUbYMaha6w7FgahfOFOXOhE0sNLrPGoo9sppEg/s320/IMG_9862.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just outside the breakwater.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvZ7kzs67nkBqJXQmsBk4TJw_sQUFd0qjA2xX2oOYyNQFuclpAp4jRz7s-mPjFTObCJodLMJVnIpQqBt_jZbTRqMrX4NYAoCBit8idSLNgcG6c6Er384kPjkW2JAp3A8XwNligy5iXQ/s1600/IMG_1750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvZ7kzs67nkBqJXQmsBk4TJw_sQUFd0qjA2xX2oOYyNQFuclpAp4jRz7s-mPjFTObCJodLMJVnIpQqBt_jZbTRqMrX4NYAoCBit8idSLNgcG6c6Er384kPjkW2JAp3A8XwNligy5iXQ/s320/IMG_1750.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Barnacle larvae attaching themselves to the glass jar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQh0c3XWGfe9bb5pK7MATli-XLl8IQ8zLDiWTs2QUSamcGunG3dCvrycdxHxR-zl4lArf7DAJ6nor7PskuBozlOzjWRNywj0QON7d4FvTzLDMYa5bw5SrXK4ZlgtAjIY14Y1dKPEX8w/s1600/IMG_9882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQh0c3XWGfe9bb5pK7MATli-XLl8IQ8zLDiWTs2QUSamcGunG3dCvrycdxHxR-zl4lArf7DAJ6nor7PskuBozlOzjWRNywj0QON7d4FvTzLDMYa5bw5SrXK4ZlgtAjIY14Y1dKPEX8w/s320/IMG_9882.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Penfield Reef was another popular feeding area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The main reason for this trip was not just to gather plankton, but to gather them for a purpose.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not to simply identify different species, but for scientific study.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These samples are all going to a lab, where scientist will be testing them for toxins.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When and if I have results, I will post them here. Hopefully soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-aFTYoVbBiqE2JDr4eSOp2tpqFBHteM_OIlLvvU1LyENJXscZ7rbRBVgItrACrmVwUFsBt4WpJsrN2OxLGGmJfqrKcFW-Q2SDttxRTQeB0i5_T-t8u2EkVCyvzdRxSWHktkdgi6I7w/s1600/IMG_9902-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-aFTYoVbBiqE2JDr4eSOp2tpqFBHteM_OIlLvvU1LyENJXscZ7rbRBVgItrACrmVwUFsBt4WpJsrN2OxLGGmJfqrKcFW-Q2SDttxRTQeB0i5_T-t8u2EkVCyvzdRxSWHktkdgi6I7w/s320/IMG_9902-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This last night of winter's full moon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-20749033161576238252011-02-20T01:50:00.003-05:002011-02-20T02:15:14.708-05:00Great Backyard Bird Count by Boat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrFH57VX0Z6sOaWzLJmBd-vHa5toCGyWCkH2Ow9lJMwS-8ToiU4jk0cMBZmBHgA2hDStZEVKwA3efCtoSDzS58I-R2m2DUfWY3F5cz97tP8AgBvI2SeoFYJDalBzCGg7gH_Nr8ccxeA/s1600/IMG_9460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrFH57VX0Z6sOaWzLJmBd-vHa5toCGyWCkH2Ow9lJMwS-8ToiU4jk0cMBZmBHgA2hDStZEVKwA3efCtoSDzS58I-R2m2DUfWY3F5cz97tP8AgBvI2SeoFYJDalBzCGg7gH_Nr8ccxeA/s320/IMG_9460.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Great Backyard Bird Count started today, and what a day they picked to start this event.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At least in Long island Sound that is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My friend Alvin join me on this trip, we left the dock at 08:20 2/18/11</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with calm winds and above freezing temperatures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We started today's count on the western side of the islands at Greens Ledge Lighthouse, this reflective photo shows the calmness in the air, what it doesn't show is the temperature.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The thermometer was rising rapidly on the mainland, yet out here I doubt we ever felt anything more than high thirties at best, the sound is still an ice box and does not warm as well as land. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We drove out to this Light house for a reason.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cormorants.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NttNhMI3dwgEl8_pSDaRN40U8AvPx074sLItVuLIvMuox2p1_iWsrAD8U-faRS6AelmDZeaQW38uj3hqkLmYPw0C7oxp59iZDFIWD-lBUBojWUYPDmDkVqK9bQz7C1YFEH0wusChKg/s1600/IMG_9462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NttNhMI3dwgEl8_pSDaRN40U8AvPx074sLItVuLIvMuox2p1_iWsrAD8U-faRS6AelmDZeaQW38uj3hqkLmYPw0C7oxp59iZDFIWD-lBUBojWUYPDmDkVqK9bQz7C1YFEH0wusChKg/s320/IMG_9462.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Great Cormorants use these rocks that surround the Lighthouse as a perching area during the winter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A look at the massive amount of white-wash shows that this is a popular resting place for these birds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In total there were seven Great Cormorants here when we arrived.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before I forget, left click on any of the photo's to enlarge.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGrP6bDO90_MbTiEMwQYrEuscyOy84aiGkqDgSCakMu4z4O2PnTdam-WhNqYDFJcpTBd9nDs0IK9h2Jb5Dy4sA8zZUmbiQ2QNK_5IBcOc2she-Rwy2tg1DxaT4xakb1lzd9zpEADORw/s1600/IMG_9467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGrP6bDO90_MbTiEMwQYrEuscyOy84aiGkqDgSCakMu4z4O2PnTdam-WhNqYDFJcpTBd9nDs0IK9h2Jb5Dy4sA8zZUmbiQ2QNK_5IBcOc2she-Rwy2tg1DxaT4xakb1lzd9zpEADORw/s320/IMG_9467.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Leaving Greens Ledge we headed eastward, not but a mile past the the lighthouse, cruising at 25mph I passed very close by to what I though was a lobster pot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alvin yelled OMG thats a seal!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I turned and looked, yes it was.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My problem here is why didn't it move or submerge?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They don't do this, I figured it was sick or injured.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I turned the boat around and pulled out my cell to dial either Norwalk or Mystic Aquariums,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for help.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The seal, head out of water never moved or flinched, as you can see from the above photo he appeared to be just sleeping, eyes are closed. This is something they do, just tread water and zone out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Apparently this is what was happening here, as we came closer to this Grey Seal, it's huge eyes slowly opened, seemingly without a care in the world, he lazily looked at us and slowly turned, arching it's back and giving us a whale roll disappeared below the surface. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XBF2s18HDXvn-WYWfXBlxzgNKKA3exWP9I8ljFDxuRcNhJWvu_7nC02Fb0f_1b8A-BFEGd51BxzmZyRX0izZDkDQoizm5Ke0RIeNa22n__11P6isGMq5tsfmyTVu2ivRdbE4BSzSFQ/s1600/IMG_9469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XBF2s18HDXvn-WYWfXBlxzgNKKA3exWP9I8ljFDxuRcNhJWvu_7nC02Fb0f_1b8A-BFEGd51BxzmZyRX0izZDkDQoizm5Ke0RIeNa22n__11P6isGMq5tsfmyTVu2ivRdbE4BSzSFQ/s320/IMG_9469.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At first this looks like a rock in the water, but it is the rump of our almost 800 pound 10 foot long Grey Seal, submerging into the depths.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out how the water never leaves contact with the seals skin.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_zwfYZ77RUxPh3PoB_SrHHPEzjZqxKcZq7qbKEJjwPBn0JqA3O6sZ4oL_MsLvsudWlBJKifqXIxyuGsaxEem7YCVbS12nWeNg1e05jRhV56x8Iemu9FuVFQSjg0TIRXc385OPK0V4Q/s1600/IMG_9471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_zwfYZ77RUxPh3PoB_SrHHPEzjZqxKcZq7qbKEJjwPBn0JqA3O6sZ4oL_MsLvsudWlBJKifqXIxyuGsaxEem7YCVbS12nWeNg1e05jRhV56x8Iemu9FuVFQSjg0TIRXc385OPK0V4Q/s320/IMG_9471.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just beyond the seal is Norwalk Seaport Association's Sheffield Island Lighthouse, in winter plumage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The windows are buttoned up, plus there is still a good bit of snow on the ground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This Lighthouse and Sheffield Island can be visited during the summer months via the Seaport's Ferry service on the C.J. Toth. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Visit their site here: <a href="http://www.seaport.org/">http://www.seaport.org/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While your there, check out the Bird Cruise info.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Come onboard and join the Seaport and I for a great trip and some awesome views of the Norwalk Islands and its incredible wildlife this coming spring and summer.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSxy-SB6-0Nx-gfPw0fBpnbInxm5kHtFioQhMQM-JFxKSYDABqv1AupYFjkcZhRp_m8vQfsmJVhqNwDx7MUyvOvTjtx7VmzOiLtlaAIeOS46AlI0Ve4qLglRzEULMguXIQJNDkbzrtw/s1600/IMG_9491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSxy-SB6-0Nx-gfPw0fBpnbInxm5kHtFioQhMQM-JFxKSYDABqv1AupYFjkcZhRp_m8vQfsmJVhqNwDx7MUyvOvTjtx7VmzOiLtlaAIeOS46AlI0Ve4qLglRzEULMguXIQJNDkbzrtw/s320/IMG_9491.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bird Counting was the reason for this trip, we had great numbers of several species.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Almost 600 Long-tail</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCibE_TZG3CWZ7lJkfyQB3o9E9klqfAiSMe5nM9iqUiBxTezop_8bdXJiXay1lak0IWmQZTBBqgm2rvoT_qrV0FVE4P2ayYN-fwbTgcSdGk7X04_BbbkMW_2RG3tnrQZAullsHUmhCw/s1600/IMG_9528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCibE_TZG3CWZ7lJkfyQB3o9E9klqfAiSMe5nM9iqUiBxTezop_8bdXJiXay1lak0IWmQZTBBqgm2rvoT_qrV0FVE4P2ayYN-fwbTgcSdGk7X04_BbbkMW_2RG3tnrQZAullsHUmhCw/s320/IMG_9528.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">800 greater Scaup (above photo)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHMZW5wUFN98_arx6aQFF9ko4tHgvE9eCZIEsjeUHbIpDqNLTZ7Xu_5gL8ZTPlkHHM9WXmHUp1r6_j9FvuJnNUnh98sWNrcLrX_4d-uaZknGJcQ8giyyrgpZ4EyaaHNK5YPERxYubwA/s1600/IMG_9619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHMZW5wUFN98_arx6aQFF9ko4tHgvE9eCZIEsjeUHbIpDqNLTZ7Xu_5gL8ZTPlkHHM9WXmHUp1r6_j9FvuJnNUnh98sWNrcLrX_4d-uaZknGJcQ8giyyrgpZ4EyaaHNK5YPERxYubwA/s320/IMG_9619.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brant numbered close to 900.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Seaducks, Brant, Goldeneye, Scaup, Scoter, plus Black Duck and others are expected around the Norwalk Islands and Long Island Sound during the winter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What I never expected, showed up on Cockenoe Island.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the boat I picked out one small finch/sparrow like bird that flittering on the shoreline.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I maneuvered the bow of the boat onto the shoreline, where I saw a number of small birds moving about.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Song Sparrows? Horned Larks? Snow Bunting? Savannah?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lapland Longspurs?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All these were calculating in my head, what could they be?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I saw my first good look thru the bins.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MKtzRnQmk8EJgKXE0EIo6PENsGwOpmKxJ6ZbWS88vkqf4ODSetATTn_PoRnE6P59rTAP2IO7d3Ogn3RqXNOhloSOhkynN82a8iuWWETZfCcsSadI1gjQ6u-yvttmkTcFHrAhfFdUVQ/s1600/IMG_9536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MKtzRnQmk8EJgKXE0EIo6PENsGwOpmKxJ6ZbWS88vkqf4ODSetATTn_PoRnE6P59rTAP2IO7d3Ogn3RqXNOhloSOhkynN82a8iuWWETZfCcsSadI1gjQ6u-yvttmkTcFHrAhfFdUVQ/s320/IMG_9536.JPG" width="246" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Common Redpoll on Cockenoe Island, no way!</div>Here they were, on Cockenoe Island, one mile offshore, feeding on seed heads from this past years <br />
seashore plants.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik46HbVGzF6urIG4SNhyphenhyphenzCqANe2BBFHxV981xoRu3LCcTiG2C9dAJft-axxuWoK4J_yc7tw5cn7RYm_hHZXVQJvuFDno1JhNW_e2xsP0qpXxz00KBlP-ai4kDWo-a9me3lNufOPeFmRw/s1600/IMG_9563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik46HbVGzF6urIG4SNhyphenhyphenzCqANe2BBFHxV981xoRu3LCcTiG2C9dAJft-axxuWoK4J_yc7tw5cn7RYm_hHZXVQJvuFDno1JhNW_e2xsP0qpXxz00KBlP-ai4kDWo-a9me3lNufOPeFmRw/s320/IMG_9563.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They were in numbers, a minimum of forty five, maybe fifty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Redpolls feeding along the slipper shells?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On a island in LIS?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3Mi_bE2_7I7HadnEfWlaCygUhxDJMwlRWL1wLT73TR_s8S_WWpTvJZXgDbBZJ122mJF6DAXujzRtHWxSX33_dXFxajIPIicjSmye6qaCIwc6n9Kmco5RdZl7rmkFq8vfbTIObAc2aQ/s1600/IMG_9569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3Mi_bE2_7I7HadnEfWlaCygUhxDJMwlRWL1wLT73TR_s8S_WWpTvJZXgDbBZJ122mJF6DAXujzRtHWxSX33_dXFxajIPIicjSmye6qaCIwc6n9Kmco5RdZl7rmkFq8vfbTIObAc2aQ/s320/IMG_9569.JPG" width="220" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Oystercatcher and Tern nesting ground. The last bird I would expect out here is the Redpoll, a arctic/sub arctic nesting bird of the conifers and scrublands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They are never common in Connecticut, yet during occasional winters they will erupt in this State.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So far this winter, there have been a few reports in Connecticut, but mostly in areas inland from here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They do show on rare occasion at Sherwood Island State Park, not but a few miles from here, but that is on the mainland. I guess they have no issue about flying a distance over water?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLAOKHzjofNsbZHOgZOsjoxyWaF4_MYWZAcSkTznC3enrnRublE2HaAvlMhUlgIOtKO1DjZe3uBXnpjJYBtY_bkWhpedjyu8m1z3zin9JwrimW-n4zU3o8oJQyhfYsEp39dyAQ0ZIEQ/s1600/IMG_9608-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLAOKHzjofNsbZHOgZOsjoxyWaF4_MYWZAcSkTznC3enrnRublE2HaAvlMhUlgIOtKO1DjZe3uBXnpjJYBtY_bkWhpedjyu8m1z3zin9JwrimW-n4zU3o8oJQyhfYsEp39dyAQ0ZIEQ/s320/IMG_9608-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">East White Rock came through again with ten Purple Sandpipers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After big time search efforts, no other shorebird species were found.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Although we had a Killdeer on Chimmons this past Wednesday.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-_m960RrYBXSo4b3gja-PqAL1PtSgCk8oHmDvwT6Ww2q3nPyiuYfKe7h74L5Y4yCqcJGA0qSJRdvrf9sBEXG5gCJ-XLnnlTzwn9iZPGyi2vFaWJxEo5c75g-UdIpvya4oyUvrVad7w/s1600/IMG_9615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-_m960RrYBXSo4b3gja-PqAL1PtSgCk8oHmDvwT6Ww2q3nPyiuYfKe7h74L5Y4yCqcJGA0qSJRdvrf9sBEXG5gCJ-XLnnlTzwn9iZPGyi2vFaWJxEo5c75g-UdIpvya4oyUvrVad7w/s320/IMG_9615.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Great Cormorant numbers were at 14.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Status Quo for them around the islands this time of year.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiFk9S7X_pcX-XbslD3AB52qDPIw2P2a_wpB1C_F7NCWRty_Eh_gbQZQ22MPy7Ro-_VFhSMbj8n6Vlbw2GeX_MzxZfDoXHyZW08VfvJ0d8zjF2CfJr-uABKUTA5m6RidDeCKAyZ8hAw/s1600/IMG_9618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiFk9S7X_pcX-XbslD3AB52qDPIw2P2a_wpB1C_F7NCWRty_Eh_gbQZQ22MPy7Ro-_VFhSMbj8n6Vlbw2GeX_MzxZfDoXHyZW08VfvJ0d8zjF2CfJr-uABKUTA5m6RidDeCKAyZ8hAw/s320/IMG_9618.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I mentioned in my last post, the Great Black-backed Gulls have moved back to their nesting islands, these birds are hanging out on the northern bar at Goose Island.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That is Peck's Ledge Lighthouse in the back round</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPuLsXv896o3LznhHaV9WWVaeUg9I8RKiAVFwSNgipqJJZ1aKNWiKyZ80e16af_emPg2QmqD0X-tQeSGAEKnr9HgEUK6-IQvugWri9ahJpL-L5co3isQvUGZrK6UqUZh3NanuFvUxfw/s1600/IMG_7276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPuLsXv896o3LznhHaV9WWVaeUg9I8RKiAVFwSNgipqJJZ1aKNWiKyZ80e16af_emPg2QmqD0X-tQeSGAEKnr9HgEUK6-IQvugWri9ahJpL-L5co3isQvUGZrK6UqUZh3NanuFvUxfw/s320/IMG_7276.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Same lighthouse and same sandbar from a few years ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When Goose Island played host to this Snowy Owl for a few days.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL596fOfOxLUCM4Zqk2uK1uFN27ykCGc84N30YCC1JlptpWAq_vwYFQVL5jnwfIZmzF2IeLDQRpx36tJymo5vW8lmnCHNZSC2oWipn8nxiATyEr8TrsEK9Isg6qkII9D8W9Hpok9csRA/s1600/IMG_9627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL596fOfOxLUCM4Zqk2uK1uFN27ykCGc84N30YCC1JlptpWAq_vwYFQVL5jnwfIZmzF2IeLDQRpx36tJymo5vW8lmnCHNZSC2oWipn8nxiATyEr8TrsEK9Isg6qkII9D8W9Hpok9csRA/s320/IMG_9627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know its mid February, these gulls were not here a week ago, now there are almost 200 on the two nesting islands, looks like they are setting up shop to me.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9KuAsd4X5Tl4ITFfnMDLh8GiG-UCsd3pZMB3_Rf-oBoy-PJqO5LabvdylSjWmlOJ-k4c5YXcYjatiM0op6245Hz6sDArFj0S0UtYNFLxqaM57HmZZuLvAYkWrW71At1_oa8tlGS0QQ/s1600/IMG_9628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9KuAsd4X5Tl4ITFfnMDLh8GiG-UCsd3pZMB3_Rf-oBoy-PJqO5LabvdylSjWmlOJ-k4c5YXcYjatiM0op6245Hz6sDArFj0S0UtYNFLxqaM57HmZZuLvAYkWrW71At1_oa8tlGS0QQ/s320/IMG_9628.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the salt marsh behind the Norwalk Power Plant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With the extra high tide this place was alive with water fowl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Besides the Geese and Black Duck that are seen in the photo, Wood Duck, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Green-winged Teal and others were abundant in the area</div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-27727037005687906112011-02-16T23:53:00.000-05:002011-02-16T23:53:59.843-05:00Fishing and Clamming Gulls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzMQusLQ6XOsOqWAMJ8SekEFUr8uM50y9tYbjevT9YJbxba5vIx-q4dEz6cW9ylw4PN3kyTpACAL63cjJ0nLJo73YNP6KTUcVqUde-5Xczn4j1Nco_2Wdn5H6ktuIe49f7XznBciYig/s1600/IMG_9425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzMQusLQ6XOsOqWAMJ8SekEFUr8uM50y9tYbjevT9YJbxba5vIx-q4dEz6cW9ylw4PN3kyTpACAL63cjJ0nLJo73YNP6KTUcVqUde-5Xczn4j1Nco_2Wdn5H6ktuIe49f7XznBciYig/s320/IMG_9425.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With a touch of spring fever almost in the air this afternoon, I called my old friend Towny Dickinson to join me on the boat to do some seaduck photography.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course Long-tail were just about everywhere, never easy to get close to, but we were able to catch a few decent shots.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the way in, we saw a few raccoons feeding along the shore of Chimmons Island, as we followed the shoreline around the corner we came across a Great Black-backed Gull feeding on something significant at the waters edge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This bird had a fresh winter flounder that it was trying to swallow whole, the flounder was of decent size, probably a pound and a half, just a tad to large for an easy gulp.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As we aproached, the gull flew off with the fish, but dispite the gulls size it could not carry this prey for long and dropped it on the beach.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnOAkispGkwYg74RQgFq3_7ImSzgb2Z5IeGDchvpFFefpckz7ZMw5QBRQr4pDi4Bk1nlGlJlmxSQJpgf5xy_nfYjIvcZOzvEV65Y9BJU0T0KICwUNSn6EXGPXhghljZXJL7ypdDrgpg/s1600/IMG_9422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnOAkispGkwYg74RQgFq3_7ImSzgb2Z5IeGDchvpFFefpckz7ZMw5QBRQr4pDi4Bk1nlGlJlmxSQJpgf5xy_nfYjIvcZOzvEV65Y9BJU0T0KICwUNSn6EXGPXhghljZXJL7ypdDrgpg/s320/IMG_9422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It returned for the fish, we then left the gull alone to feed in peace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another note, many Black-backs are back on their nesting grounds at Goose and Long Beach Islands in Norwalk, we noted a number of them in bright breeding plumage, staking claim to their nest sites.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sounds crazy, this early right? In another month Double-crested Cormorants will be setting up shop in these same areas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First come, first serve.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHrkhzLFFpvcjweI21vdaTm1Go8yqiAlvVy7_qMegidLHFmdxwoxXHL2TCHKYW7vGH4X5WYvET-artusDod0ii8n6XFZfQ_BOUDogAAEw3ED0DeyWGuElnJrthn0-BZfOyIVlmRagqA/s1600/IMG_9433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHrkhzLFFpvcjweI21vdaTm1Go8yqiAlvVy7_qMegidLHFmdxwoxXHL2TCHKYW7vGH4X5WYvET-artusDod0ii8n6XFZfQ_BOUDogAAEw3ED0DeyWGuElnJrthn0-BZfOyIVlmRagqA/s320/IMG_9433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We watched a few Herring Gulls feeding on mussels along the expose shore at White Rock, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but as we entered Norwalk Harbor, I stopped the boat at Round Beach, the small hummock type island a few hundred yards south of the western side of Calf Pasture Beach.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was in particular looking out for any plankton feeding gulls in the area, non of these gulls were doing that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Instead what we found were Herring Gulls along the shoreline in just inches of water, many were tipping over, head submerged below the surface, what were they feeding on?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jINtLk25IvB3lbbB0_uoZ69_f9Kgeqj5fZDzK3C6A87hBXo87swg2_onv2QS9SIZxVchMfpPpqwHHXxqBRacwyCN4Nnhup8flFsaQ8d1IN_ZIEQ6JDr3hajJnYSMlWsFGNvE2T-MiA/s1600/IMG_9434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jINtLk25IvB3lbbB0_uoZ69_f9Kgeqj5fZDzK3C6A87hBXo87swg2_onv2QS9SIZxVchMfpPpqwHHXxqBRacwyCN4Nnhup8flFsaQ8d1IN_ZIEQ6JDr3hajJnYSMlWsFGNvE2T-MiA/s320/IMG_9434.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hard Shell Clams!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I shouted "Wow! Towny, look at that he caught a clam"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We then watched in amasement as these gulls were coming up with Little Necks and Cherrystones Clams, with seemingly no effort.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> After studying this behavior for a bit, I joked to Towny that this reminds me of when I was a kid, when we would walk the shallow waters at low tide and feel for clams with are feet....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5axDF3GVOlgkq3L6M8mz5-tELlYU-CKCXnGpi5qIWMWdT9j_VkzzK60YrXREt1E6GXWsCpT23AH1VL_Nf8bsQjPCZvIUHUwrtk0wM-oPB7s26Xhfe-O6ChjcjieKik34tTR6tPj1jxw/s1600/IMG_9435-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5axDF3GVOlgkq3L6M8mz5-tELlYU-CKCXnGpi5qIWMWdT9j_VkzzK60YrXREt1E6GXWsCpT23AH1VL_Nf8bsQjPCZvIUHUwrtk0wM-oPB7s26Xhfe-O6ChjcjieKik34tTR6tPj1jxw/s320/IMG_9435-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Guess What?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2k1-R2PiHEWPd0nrZAOcIPws29a55Ph2mVlBZEqym0J4drarcGk9wLSQjCI42RQODhktn3cnABZKaVpD1FmCYPe7jYnF5I_lRYNJnhgj7sWYKxYgSBWUpGuqMsc9PbzpjTXx7OBlwA/s1600/IMG_9439-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2k1-R2PiHEWPd0nrZAOcIPws29a55Ph2mVlBZEqym0J4drarcGk9wLSQjCI42RQODhktn3cnABZKaVpD1FmCYPe7jYnF5I_lRYNJnhgj7sWYKxYgSBWUpGuqMsc9PbzpjTXx7OBlwA/s320/IMG_9439-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is exactly what these gulls were doing, they were feeling for clams with their feet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They would almost never dip their heads below water with out coming up with a clam.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Astounding!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3V3doJSGCNabYel4Tt00QgbOsKzLIy2xAC7VaUJaU5KMlWWq2_cYMeeglsZc93hK8gQrECD3U6UoxwUuiX8K7MDQUdr6xBn4nTQnVzRdT4JkvvLOXobFOPREfSrzpVNzhWhAUHpdzA/s1600/IMG_9440-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3V3doJSGCNabYel4Tt00QgbOsKzLIy2xAC7VaUJaU5KMlWWq2_cYMeeglsZc93hK8gQrECD3U6UoxwUuiX8K7MDQUdr6xBn4nTQnVzRdT4JkvvLOXobFOPREfSrzpVNzhWhAUHpdzA/s320/IMG_9440-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I mentioned to Towny that these gulls must be of different DNA than the ones found in trash dumps.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hum?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoM_A2G2ZwlBO8aesYkWZCymXGNTMmB-awKhevt0Yj4fxGjxyIrL0KWuXpovFKwDnEl_J-cBv3dQPvUwVNaBnK8rxds6IFHB8g8BW2mv2_B3HvR0QLQFUSMoT8u1iAjYlKOo-tjudtw/s1600/IMG_9448-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoM_A2G2ZwlBO8aesYkWZCymXGNTMmB-awKhevt0Yj4fxGjxyIrL0KWuXpovFKwDnEl_J-cBv3dQPvUwVNaBnK8rxds6IFHB8g8BW2mv2_B3HvR0QLQFUSMoT8u1iAjYlKOo-tjudtw/s320/IMG_9448-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A nice look at a Bufflehead in the harbor.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmMAxdHfPUunmvWvDb7jgDlxtQaSqY72ZR_0BEi86AP4W_lqu_iWbNUL1UopOJipdo6sUdip09R0PJHnx6IFg8Y7UT_N_zaWfTV8XBoWTL1kyK9ZQvFF6a8Jx4QIsklJ9v-CWXVxd4w/s1600/IMG_9407-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmMAxdHfPUunmvWvDb7jgDlxtQaSqY72ZR_0BEi86AP4W_lqu_iWbNUL1UopOJipdo6sUdip09R0PJHnx6IFg8Y7UT_N_zaWfTV8XBoWTL1kyK9ZQvFF6a8Jx4QIsklJ9v-CWXVxd4w/s320/IMG_9407-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Although there are a good number of deer on the islands, this is the first winter that I have seen them on Cockenoe Island, these four were from there today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This area here is Oystercatcher nesting zone, eggs could be trampled in the up coming months.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How is the heron colony going to deal with these guys?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once they eat out all the undergrowth, as they have on all the other islands, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(some that were major heron rookeries in the past)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">will these birds still find it hospitible to nest here?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The heron/egrets stopped nesting on Chimmons Island soon after the deer and raccoons moved in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I thought Cockenoe was these birds last safe haven out here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't like this, stay tuned.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't forget Part Two of Scoter Feeding grounds, I just have not completed my homework, it's coming.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Please don't forget this upcoming weekend is</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Great Back Yard Bird Count</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's free and easy to participant, plus being very important to the future welfare of our many bird species.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you only saw one cardinal in your travels, it's still important to scientist.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have some fun and report your sightings!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is also a great way to get kids involved first hand with nature</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Give it a try!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/press/news-stories/2011-gbbc-news-release">http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/press/news-stories/2011-gbbc-news-release</a></div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-71716206540549426152011-02-09T23:11:00.002-05:002011-02-10T15:00:44.826-05:00White-wing Scoter Feeding Grounds Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheboNfyT2aiWIMghS2HsGid4ydQT37JUpZXt0xE9rJWlsCKTaRpO4VhXxxwqRys8wVSMIuZ2y2P3e-QLByW3YIpDAFTcnMHfgL5W1jFUhV09Wq05ufhd8glorBBTle2bCpIRhkzAaX5Q/s1600/IMG_9257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheboNfyT2aiWIMghS2HsGid4ydQT37JUpZXt0xE9rJWlsCKTaRpO4VhXxxwqRys8wVSMIuZ2y2P3e-QLByW3YIpDAFTcnMHfgL5W1jFUhV09Wq05ufhd8glorBBTle2bCpIRhkzAaX5Q/s320/IMG_9257.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Several winters ago we came upon a flock of over one thousand White-winged Scoter, one mile or so south of Cockenoe Island, during the Christmas Bird Count, while doing the boat survey of the Norwalk Islands for the Westport Circle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This species has been a wonder to me ever since.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What I have noticed over the past three winters, is that these flocks, which can range anywhere from several hundred to five thousand plus have one thing in common.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They are constantly feeding in the same area, a strip about two miles long and a mile wide</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My friend, Biologist Dennis Varza suggested that it would be interesting to get bottom samples from this area, to try to get an idea as to what food species they are using in here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How were we going to get benthic samples from 30-40 feet of water in the middle of the winter?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Enter Norm Bloom, owner of Norm Bloom and Son L.L.C.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Norm very kindly volunteered to take us out on one of his oyster boats, to the areas that the Scoter have been feeding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fortunately a number of his oyster beds were in this zone, so we would be able to work some of that bottom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These beds are large, the parcels in this area are 100 acres each, they are surveyed and divided up into farming lots of different sizes, the same way land parcels are. Some are small and others large.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These lots are then leased from the State, for Aquaculture, a fancy name for oyster, clam and other underwater related farming. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXauDmSRuLjg2rkLmqPy34QYPUI7ygbxTuyb6929J2ZgRXU7W9y0erp_QcxJhRNSggYdMGMVoRcIke6B7bkR7DL8c7rp_jht45uOlTGpLyGDxyYBqLnnGMd1NM4LVvk8DaIvKFUAu9g/s1600/IMG_9253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXauDmSRuLjg2rkLmqPy34QYPUI7ygbxTuyb6929J2ZgRXU7W9y0erp_QcxJhRNSggYdMGMVoRcIke6B7bkR7DL8c7rp_jht45uOlTGpLyGDxyYBqLnnGMd1NM4LVvk8DaIvKFUAu9g/s320/IMG_9253.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A small raft of scoter appears off the bow, this photo was taken from the wheel house of the </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grace P. Lowndes a classic wooden oyster boat, built in South Norwalk by</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">William Caniff Bedell in 1931, and still going strong today</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5ujVLWdJ9jN1ewhCV31l9nhIQNZBYsMQHi9mdo4apTQabQeGk_uBv5T-Cdvru5vkC-RBubXoR5zip-Ku_3alivcMZb64aABJUfyXAiVCFMBkFjrS_rE84fSprSr3Gxio3Z5_kdQhjg/s1600/IMG_9251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5ujVLWdJ9jN1ewhCV31l9nhIQNZBYsMQHi9mdo4apTQabQeGk_uBv5T-Cdvru5vkC-RBubXoR5zip-Ku_3alivcMZb64aABJUfyXAiVCFMBkFjrS_rE84fSprSr3Gxio3Z5_kdQhjg/s320/IMG_9251.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These rake baskets are big, roughly four feet across, then 30x30 inches.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one is about to be lowered into the depths, there are two of these, one on each side of the vessel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They are made of iron and weigh hundreds of pounds each.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eGklNLlgpt6VRqK46VTpVw-u-MNJSNUbfMtFK4IWplooBZ2EuUFw3xWo5LG-hR0yCSWZJ5bn6UzYJuNGgvoNb_8DHeN4XIr7-7T9Kaj_rQMy-HnutMpQ7N9hALxxBd2IMds8rft8yg/s1600/IMG_9260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eGklNLlgpt6VRqK46VTpVw-u-MNJSNUbfMtFK4IWplooBZ2EuUFw3xWo5LG-hR0yCSWZJ5bn6UzYJuNGgvoNb_8DHeN4XIr7-7T9Kaj_rQMy-HnutMpQ7N9hALxxBd2IMds8rft8yg/s320/IMG_9260.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a quick several second drag along the bottom, the rake is pulled back to the surface. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlD_tDD0_W4vQC_WnM5eqWf-Qi_McRFgovsmQtKIAkJhsui2MWO4tpFlykjQN_tb9JUeQTTIZGWoHkr9cnyy8kNt2xRgJaWT0ooNY-prpLEfj8uzD1Cty08qzl9imHzCiKJ3gy1EOVg/s1600/IMG_9262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlD_tDD0_W4vQC_WnM5eqWf-Qi_McRFgovsmQtKIAkJhsui2MWO4tpFlykjQN_tb9JUeQTTIZGWoHkr9cnyy8kNt2xRgJaWT0ooNY-prpLEfj8uzD1Cty08qzl9imHzCiKJ3gy1EOVg/s320/IMG_9262.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The boom that is holding the rake is 3" Galvanized pipe, with about 1" steel cable attached.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEkaoU8eK9hQN4OXMsngAyCWnapSTf0gDbu8HVyOnfHAO3Zgn5SyCMBP7Zah9nVrLfbVPPaoWyiN1Q_yl12_DpxNr0v_qQyB7lJ1xNGgTIUu15R5ElGXqYekkdQqqDeB5nGnJVVOBFg/s1600/IMG_9278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEkaoU8eK9hQN4OXMsngAyCWnapSTf0gDbu8HVyOnfHAO3Zgn5SyCMBP7Zah9nVrLfbVPPaoWyiN1Q_yl12_DpxNr0v_qQyB7lJ1xNGgTIUu15R5ElGXqYekkdQqqDeB5nGnJVVOBFg/s320/IMG_9278.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The mate has to manually swing the boom and basket into the deck.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLYaq5Wxt365C8awnC7EVMN_LhomCp3svsYxSCcovVLueV4tcRkS1nbI8iA_wvjQE5x1J4QDLyq23xBKDoPA00JMYISYc5hJAwS9sAff8YYZ2x2C6jsaSvi42jAJxQHNpmtEXHi6Egw/s1600/IMG_9269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLYaq5Wxt365C8awnC7EVMN_LhomCp3svsYxSCcovVLueV4tcRkS1nbI8iA_wvjQE5x1J4QDLyq23xBKDoPA00JMYISYc5hJAwS9sAff8YYZ2x2C6jsaSvi42jAJxQHNpmtEXHi6Egw/s320/IMG_9269.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you can see there are tons to sample through,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Almost all of that is shell that they are bring back to the dock, to clean and dry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our samples are in front of Dennis, with the orange bucket.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavFYteEt8vpI2oJ5GIVX8CnBiJtQtHNxnFDGUpStG5j5cS51Sc8Mz3f2WdZA2Epd1eB-KTvTjgZApZ8RQbxlLtUnsSvJqgSaxsoc8EIZO-jXhDbKFSkrBojEqZUxCy7EVGMpmzMht6A/s1600/IMG_9271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavFYteEt8vpI2oJ5GIVX8CnBiJtQtHNxnFDGUpStG5j5cS51Sc8Mz3f2WdZA2Epd1eB-KTvTjgZApZ8RQbxlLtUnsSvJqgSaxsoc8EIZO-jXhDbKFSkrBojEqZUxCy7EVGMpmzMht6A/s320/IMG_9271.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is some of the life we found on the Scoter feeding grounds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Please don't crucify me if I misidentify any of these.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Above is a Transverse Ark, a bivalve closely related to Cockles and Scallops</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0fLYkWwL8-8GL6nvq2ujl9F_1oFuqs0rcIAnGO3ktImbeH62Po_HiYTYeyVIEEFDOKxJw4zCW6hPNA8_-2q5PpxyNAcB-J4YjeJVtrnEDWQIR1sG_VgqfDOzF9U8oLyovJ2mskfrtg/s1600/IMG_9273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0fLYkWwL8-8GL6nvq2ujl9F_1oFuqs0rcIAnGO3ktImbeH62Po_HiYTYeyVIEEFDOKxJw4zCW6hPNA8_-2q5PpxyNAcB-J4YjeJVtrnEDWQIR1sG_VgqfDOzF9U8oLyovJ2mskfrtg/s320/IMG_9273.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The vertical shell is a young oyster that has attached itself to another oyster shell.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVabGLf90C-yLIrNSpdYc-Y-mOw5diVVAdg8-1QCYAshNvD6epf9UVU89Qw3kM_v8N3PbuIS6XQiTmDFveObR6AXMAk5CBWtOOvKStbRog_Gl6klMwU5vodZss0L_dKDo0S3KHw3cljQ/s1600/IMG_9277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVabGLf90C-yLIrNSpdYc-Y-mOw5diVVAdg8-1QCYAshNvD6epf9UVU89Qw3kM_v8N3PbuIS6XQiTmDFveObR6AXMAk5CBWtOOvKStbRog_Gl6klMwU5vodZss0L_dKDo0S3KHw3cljQ/s320/IMG_9277.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Cunner, locally known as a bergall. They are bottom dwellers and grow to about five or so inches in the sound, but can reach longer lengths.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYALSbhp38hvbrhZJ8E8XrZHkzAYzrYNsMWkSkoVSVnhMzPYVAlg7m2BRmomebR7vdRdm3izZfaJCYgHaaFfTxkpYVBIpAOIQDTYBm4xNDr-5vRebhjTLu4_EfaoI6FHNJCFAMwAjIA/s1600/IMG_9289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYALSbhp38hvbrhZJ8E8XrZHkzAYzrYNsMWkSkoVSVnhMzPYVAlg7m2BRmomebR7vdRdm3izZfaJCYgHaaFfTxkpYVBIpAOIQDTYBm4xNDr-5vRebhjTLu4_EfaoI6FHNJCFAMwAjIA/s320/IMG_9289.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sorry, one of the sponges, help me here if you can.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xrhwFZgYovTNp2HbnNWy5LSaJ-slcRPzVbTD0LQ2Z9bBDKFj8ujqdiCfAx0YjETKbEJwlN6csshE84JiYSt8mtExdkvlTHrD6hXXYgSngToq_O5x3G0JnpeU2JZ8L335aD76CdDpzg/s1600/IMG_9290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xrhwFZgYovTNp2HbnNWy5LSaJ-slcRPzVbTD0LQ2Z9bBDKFj8ujqdiCfAx0YjETKbEJwlN6csshE84JiYSt8mtExdkvlTHrD6hXXYgSngToq_O5x3G0JnpeU2JZ8L335aD76CdDpzg/s320/IMG_9290.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After doing two dredges on maintained lots we did one on a dormant lot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was loaded with Asterliid Sea Stars, starfish as we commonly know them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These bad boys are deadly to oysters, clams and many other species.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MHs75JHgo38WU-RPIRdaMkQCgkLHs0wgUBt5QdOr6qPpSuY8O2FR6Ws38WqcO-KqFpY-ESxEkTfh44YIoyDthsX1Tfd3XpP6BK_nFmHvP5lng9eX243Mn4EIZfJMYm2-bYxivEMY6w/s1600/IMG_9291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MHs75JHgo38WU-RPIRdaMkQCgkLHs0wgUBt5QdOr6qPpSuY8O2FR6Ws38WqcO-KqFpY-ESxEkTfh44YIoyDthsX1Tfd3XpP6BK_nFmHvP5lng9eX243Mn4EIZfJMYm2-bYxivEMY6w/s320/IMG_9291.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Turning one over, we see a live slipper shell being devoured.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyksGORBn8JA530qrXIeghTTOay1U-dQWdRUpvFt9UEOqjlFiy-kWWzS-i-tCL_qVAFfeiTSn2Z23c_lsOWhWA5iNMUzB3y2OMPdM1V49xJrVtiyPO9VLzltoCgK3F7AT-k72ESfiOA/s1600/IMG_9295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyksGORBn8JA530qrXIeghTTOay1U-dQWdRUpvFt9UEOqjlFiy-kWWzS-i-tCL_qVAFfeiTSn2Z23c_lsOWhWA5iNMUzB3y2OMPdM1V49xJrVtiyPO9VLzltoCgK3F7AT-k72ESfiOA/s320/IMG_9295.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A purple Sea Urchin</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCA1o7ZXES0d53zsUj8sWSSFNFcuUi-L5GB82cJLk9nXyUjlJCInv2hhJMWTCJzpP04PEp5ZM_wrO1N2iusGid9iX6iqlkNrJu7497GPgL3QReA5whRNcToeVrGIwM7cDGf5KZJqQ-6g/s1600/IMG_9297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCA1o7ZXES0d53zsUj8sWSSFNFcuUi-L5GB82cJLk9nXyUjlJCInv2hhJMWTCJzpP04PEp5ZM_wrO1N2iusGid9iX6iqlkNrJu7497GPgL3QReA5whRNcToeVrGIwM7cDGf5KZJqQ-6g/s320/IMG_9297.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Channeled Whelk, but when we turned it over...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rdtWUqLqTMW2KXWCM7KMEaSQIgbL-eQuGJ06n1HlRUBAVYQKHF5PZlx7oZOP_bTrNgFh4Gv0NxHrc_74WyuDwmRsE7yX0FfInwvb9JUgy6p1_4zy6pEcqPFUBuDVH1nksLjgCkQSTA/s1600/IMG_9296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rdtWUqLqTMW2KXWCM7KMEaSQIgbL-eQuGJ06n1HlRUBAVYQKHF5PZlx7oZOP_bTrNgFh4Gv0NxHrc_74WyuDwmRsE7yX0FfInwvb9JUgy6p1_4zy6pEcqPFUBuDVH1nksLjgCkQSTA/s320/IMG_9296.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Flat Clawed Hermit Crab had taken up residence in the shell.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpe6rlQkMJBDr9ZzNiYCcfDAVac6ouI6MMn4JkvrrRjOkZ-l6o3Ym0O3EZ1M7XJlHA5-ENaKmhvkvhFOEZKbKW_XUB5zBYnyUFH-KNTqHyDiNTZ7L7j9TYNt26hIRQBPMR448GPpKPwA/s1600/IMG_9284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpe6rlQkMJBDr9ZzNiYCcfDAVac6ouI6MMn4JkvrrRjOkZ-l6o3Ym0O3EZ1M7XJlHA5-ENaKmhvkvhFOEZKbKW_XUB5zBYnyUFH-KNTqHyDiNTZ7L7j9TYNt26hIRQBPMR448GPpKPwA/s320/IMG_9284.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The most famous bivalve of them all, the common oyster.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was the most impressive specimen of the trip.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Click on the photo to enlarge, this oyster is a living condominium for an assortment of other species.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out the crab to the left middle.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgyRbjOdEUQxDOBSY-4RerP3TJZuyUjqK8nkdYxgb0MOyvv4TZWHdK_FgPcdLC-mkTaD4vCaBhgo_BeDrdXJRxDsShcAvSMEEOCWTYEVBd8T_8gVkbB5lFFUPn2GPLTn2LXyHI_Ao2w/s1600/IMG_9316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgyRbjOdEUQxDOBSY-4RerP3TJZuyUjqK8nkdYxgb0MOyvv4TZWHdK_FgPcdLC-mkTaD4vCaBhgo_BeDrdXJRxDsShcAvSMEEOCWTYEVBd8T_8gVkbB5lFFUPn2GPLTn2LXyHI_Ao2w/s320/IMG_9316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Close ups show some interesting worms, these are tiny about 1/2 inch at best.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVc314qZoyOHHfwUHlsSjEyjEyB5vZ8xi1woLM4wXshVBmWHuGe61SktiagjvjHl0LNTFugdRZeNM4w9qLHUiNkCO7H7Ih9RHxKeS4g2LgwnJeSVHQ6dHhY6SiKObjIdvmupJow75kg/s1600/IMG_9318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVc314qZoyOHHfwUHlsSjEyjEyB5vZ8xi1woLM4wXshVBmWHuGe61SktiagjvjHl0LNTFugdRZeNM4w9qLHUiNkCO7H7Ih9RHxKeS4g2LgwnJeSVHQ6dHhY6SiKObjIdvmupJow75kg/s320/IMG_9318.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A different worm, same size hiding in a crevice on the shell</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUL1WhhslvSobOzm3WvhRLoerm9otqS5jaysS-xE50XakGx3NWZdmRKBBiqQujQL_2aITQvwiJL_KiWNfmIreRi7PsR_d3ktrrn4YgJem1djabfXo4ObJaHnMhvICo8WZ_U3Sjmu1Kw/s1600/IMG_9321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUL1WhhslvSobOzm3WvhRLoerm9otqS5jaysS-xE50XakGx3NWZdmRKBBiqQujQL_2aITQvwiJL_KiWNfmIreRi7PsR_d3ktrrn4YgJem1djabfXo4ObJaHnMhvICo8WZ_U3Sjmu1Kw/s320/IMG_9321.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Smaller mollusk, attached to the oysters shell, these are about the size of a pencil's eraser</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPh5MkEZRLoeJZXhlcNzHErFMY5ce13S_rd01KS6r4sNTF3xs4CzWWdyycivAbrYWQPM1ZAZ0wgqG03rif2WSk-Xy7AFSQlQcBk3ujKkPk1dVov3us_pEBs-pp6h67GIGGKh0LsJnJA/s1600/IMG_9325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPh5MkEZRLoeJZXhlcNzHErFMY5ce13S_rd01KS6r4sNTF3xs4CzWWdyycivAbrYWQPM1ZAZ0wgqG03rif2WSk-Xy7AFSQlQcBk3ujKkPk1dVov3us_pEBs-pp6h67GIGGKh0LsJnJA/s320/IMG_9325.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the bottom of the shell was this (tunicate?) a live organism that was incredible under a small microscope</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKvbvkhtSfbymgAlf5p0RUJZlToT97vGJsG-ZoEo9Ajr-UwQlon7M21vWaUPEWtWPAUwxWRqsIpAD0SMcthwF2WXfKxkZcR4D3lH4bT6PvMiMrE3gjIEL4LS8kINrZvBX_ONRX_D7Tg/s1600/IMG_9310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKvbvkhtSfbymgAlf5p0RUJZlToT97vGJsG-ZoEo9Ajr-UwQlon7M21vWaUPEWtWPAUwxWRqsIpAD0SMcthwF2WXfKxkZcR4D3lH4bT6PvMiMrE3gjIEL4LS8kINrZvBX_ONRX_D7Tg/s320/IMG_9310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Captain Jim Bloom in the wheel house of the Grace P. Lowndes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wish to send a big thank you to Jim and his dad Norm for going way out of their way to accommodate us and our research.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check them out here: <a href="http://www.normbloomandson.net/">http://www.normbloomandson.net/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next week I will try to make sense of what we found.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://www.normbloomandson.net/"><br />
</a></div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-44982305117317887722011-02-02T14:25:00.003-05:002011-02-03T22:19:01.330-05:00Ice Stormed in Orioles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUnGkI4cZl-lnzySE3NhCKQ66luUZ4j90AeNmQmdKH_5-EY0HufYVN9Vl7vJbbTaDuVppqYppsN80gfbse1DtMXAa2AV5JBTxR0TCIvRJNJ7C_nB15PitJ1cbc4jcJoeTs1DGqB8y7Q/s1600/IMG_9230-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUnGkI4cZl-lnzySE3NhCKQ66luUZ4j90AeNmQmdKH_5-EY0HufYVN9Vl7vJbbTaDuVppqYppsN80gfbse1DtMXAa2AV5JBTxR0TCIvRJNJ7C_nB15PitJ1cbc4jcJoeTs1DGqB8y7Q/s320/IMG_9230-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everything was frozen this groundhogs day, including these holly berries that were coated with ice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The two Baltimore Orioles are still doing fine, even with the harsh winter that we have been having in Connecticut.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made a short video of them feeding on meal worms this morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the first time that I have seen them on the same feeder together, since they don't seem to care much for each other. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For whatever reason I could not download the video on this site but it is here on You Tube.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQrpQpVbYM0">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQrpQpVbYM0</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmSl6FKqAdOdS6x7xU7sCBjUj71LnUd7M6g91CbS9wlka1IfXwLH5iVISUDXVBRlNBNPgcCTDh8p8BPtlwVPpikv3-PAFBfEQwMZ9DysfzGDgM8a9AZ9K7f1Psii5B8FmJG0vu1y_Fw/s1600/IMG_9232-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmSl6FKqAdOdS6x7xU7sCBjUj71LnUd7M6g91CbS9wlka1IfXwLH5iVISUDXVBRlNBNPgcCTDh8p8BPtlwVPpikv3-PAFBfEQwMZ9DysfzGDgM8a9AZ9K7f1Psii5B8FmJG0vu1y_Fw/s320/IMG_9232-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Arborvitae covered in ice.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnY3AhQ9rVb0FEx7h-IqI-_jLr2Dk82VYwzsIVhk1UhAMzo-OKFsKCeR7QITEsQ9S2ApWa_MeUp-4fcpn78jhiGpiJCTsK7EWY0hwTWLS9fJaBHm_iS2qtk8p0x66eoOBfzVoSIjNvA/s1600/IMG_9235-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnY3AhQ9rVb0FEx7h-IqI-_jLr2Dk82VYwzsIVhk1UhAMzo-OKFsKCeR7QITEsQ9S2ApWa_MeUp-4fcpn78jhiGpiJCTsK7EWY0hwTWLS9fJaBHm_iS2qtk8p0x66eoOBfzVoSIjNvA/s320/IMG_9235-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Red Cedar the same.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLg1dpSQhtmwe4jZFWZF1yIKfhxkgh17IaVSooN7tw5u1Xw-cr4zhvbIfto7cBuK-jsE9DYMBrUC1lmDrvVXLqXj2HO_-GNvMeggCT4EmMHAOCBr2RtVjVDPy43fwmnXs0Zt6qBhUMQA/s1600/IMG_9241-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLg1dpSQhtmwe4jZFWZF1yIKfhxkgh17IaVSooN7tw5u1Xw-cr4zhvbIfto7cBuK-jsE9DYMBrUC1lmDrvVXLqXj2HO_-GNvMeggCT4EmMHAOCBr2RtVjVDPy43fwmnXs0Zt6qBhUMQA/s320/IMG_9241-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can only imagine what the boat looks like?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-z2tmscvThuNOmQ7itJ6A8xAWCSD8Gp3nKVR-pUSP4RbKnJ5MUOZNiuB9TKb-x1RukE9pjd9MjNo90jMs_yYUZoPiFn2zZXn38YLw_eY6l4XCT0NceMGagPOJfVasIPhRfgnOHDEgMw/s1600/6818-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-z2tmscvThuNOmQ7itJ6A8xAWCSD8Gp3nKVR-pUSP4RbKnJ5MUOZNiuB9TKb-x1RukE9pjd9MjNo90jMs_yYUZoPiFn2zZXn38YLw_eY6l4XCT0NceMGagPOJfVasIPhRfgnOHDEgMw/s320/6818-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-14526660694525255682011-01-24T23:06:00.002-05:002011-01-25T17:22:43.372-05:00Two Connecticut Baltimore Orioles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHFsLBBL9wriC_ETC3-kZ_eKO04dkEWjbSd2SeBDhBLrSVsTaQB_-xO6ujbtGykK3T1upnxXB5znhMAHqX-CT00KysiOvCFPTbPUISDnpF2Kb-BoEJx65mCBenvY2tF0rn7XLmtIfXg/s1600/IMG_8993-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHFsLBBL9wriC_ETC3-kZ_eKO04dkEWjbSd2SeBDhBLrSVsTaQB_-xO6ujbtGykK3T1upnxXB5znhMAHqX-CT00KysiOvCFPTbPUISDnpF2Kb-BoEJx65mCBenvY2tF0rn7XLmtIfXg/s320/IMG_8993-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What would be the next best thing to having a Baltimore Oriole in your backyard</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> during one of Connecticut's harshest winters in recent history?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How about having Two!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> Last Thursday 1/20/11 a second young female Baltimore Oriole showed up in our backyard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> This bird was not at all welcome by the original bird that had been here for over a week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> I will refer to the 1st bird to arrive as "A" and the 2nd as "B"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Every attempt by B to land on the feeder was quickly challenged by A. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">In fact A had become the ruler of the yard, the mockingbirds and cardinals that were coming in for jelly,were quickly chased off the feeder, this young oriole is this yards dominant bird, and is protecting it's domain.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div> A number of emails from Jayne Amico (a songbird rehabilitator in CT) helped me<br />
understand what was needed, and what was happening.<br />
First there was a limited food source, bird A claimed stake to it, her life was depending on this source, there wasn't enough to share with others. Next was that oranges and grape jelly may be fine for entertaining backyard orioles in the warmer months, but these birds were not going to survive for long in this <br />
extreme cold and snow on just a few sweets.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYot0sa1F0aOP8WeaYIQZRNJrTu4bJd9EWAU9MMk7Q0pRrU35tAoy1cLt3o2-W2j9MhCkN5jqODk33c1iGa79FGVwfPuXJRI5M5LLtxDzvU8zTJL74zOPCS5obdClj9DxwlE2MfvzvgA/s1600/IMG_9036-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYot0sa1F0aOP8WeaYIQZRNJrTu4bJd9EWAU9MMk7Q0pRrU35tAoy1cLt3o2-W2j9MhCkN5jqODk33c1iGa79FGVwfPuXJRI5M5LLtxDzvU8zTJL74zOPCS5obdClj9DxwlE2MfvzvgA/s320/IMG_9036-2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Meal worms were suggested, 100 each day per bird. <br />
In the above photo A is swallowing a mouthful of these.<br />
<br />
I distinguish between the two birds by the median coverts on the right wing of each bird.<br />
In the above photo, these are the strong white tipped feathers that are forming a horizontal white bar <br />
(wing bar) on it's wing.<br />
On this bird (A) this line is solid, (click on the picture and you can count these feathers)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUzWS99JNYEUyn4K2zW4ou9cfi2XczKpniWRw2s3sAGvtYogLUTgr7o1jvljRwREwLpQO_OWJtQfprLc1CPz9B4B7M5QukIDTC05g464H-j3q3fDO2JcVcGb6oKTUFo4YbyC7y9eZrQ/s1600/IMG_9093-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUzWS99JNYEUyn4K2zW4ou9cfi2XczKpniWRw2s3sAGvtYogLUTgr7o1jvljRwREwLpQO_OWJtQfprLc1CPz9B4B7M5QukIDTC05g464H-j3q3fDO2JcVcGb6oKTUFo4YbyC7y9eZrQ/s320/IMG_9093-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is B, she has dropped a few of these feathers and has a clear gap in the lineup of median coverts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Q....Any idea where they get the Baltimore Oriole name?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a city in Maryland?... a baseball team?....</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6Go2AcaTGmoec-k3xvvOHxTxO7lNIvjWvcKSLaXFhyphenhyphenSh5l4WOtufsNEic5pMhOLBCX-WqMHpmSiWRrwVQj2F-lnLkKv2p9f8Z0y8UZiB_Dc4iG-auajtIJ4TVIUMZof2E63QbPy8tw/s1600/IMG_9044-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6Go2AcaTGmoec-k3xvvOHxTxO7lNIvjWvcKSLaXFhyphenhyphenSh5l4WOtufsNEic5pMhOLBCX-WqMHpmSiWRrwVQj2F-lnLkKv2p9f8Z0y8UZiB_Dc4iG-auajtIJ4TVIUMZof2E63QbPy8tw/s320/IMG_9044-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I started putting out meal worms for these two, but things were just not working out, as soon as I put out a bunch A would either eat them or perch nearby and protect them, things were looking bleak for B as this bird could only grab a few worms before being chased off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had another feeder in my garage and set it up about 20' from the first on Saturday, A thought this was great, twice the food!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As time went on, A's belly became fuller and more content, she slowed down on her patrols of the feeders, and slowly allowed B to feed longer and longer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They now perch in the morning and afternoon sun, sitting sometimes within a few feet of each other, until A realizes B is there, she then move of, just not as far each time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I fill both feeders about 6 times a day with at least 15 worms in each, and make sure that they and not others are eating the worms. This is working, as of today they are now sharing the goods equally. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These neo-tropical migrants (could or should be in South and Latin Americas this time of year, at least FL.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> survived 3 degrees last night, and only slightly warmer the previous night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My guess is they will be here for a while</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihFTUMzyj_WmH4BNsuO_6_7hV6jSZxpUiih-5xpY20df8PFQaTTAJEMe6wQXPph9zjH2wqs5zxOqsyLWqXbaoATpxkuh-0uNjpTgm4oSrYk3Rh-1k_RP4ll4FLdEg4UHz5iy1Iv6apg/s1600/IMG_9031-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihFTUMzyj_WmH4BNsuO_6_7hV6jSZxpUiih-5xpY20df8PFQaTTAJEMe6wQXPph9zjH2wqs5zxOqsyLWqXbaoATpxkuh-0uNjpTgm4oSrYk3Rh-1k_RP4ll4FLdEg4UHz5iy1Iv6apg/s320/IMG_9031-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A with a meal worm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Answer from above:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">George Calvert, a 17c nobleman.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">this birds colors resembled the coat of arms of good ole George,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">who was also best known as Lord Baltimore!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Baltimore's Oriole"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center"></div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-63159282803534977572011-01-18T13:02:00.000-05:002011-01-18T13:02:13.327-05:00Iced Oriole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-hKJ9qiOyypud405WBTT7n1J9IhyRWoVH4AF53-qqkpyEC2z26uyc3pSUDedKlIsLt5WtYQVpbiJC491hgtxvXpxyTFEU7v6f43x-mj_WXYK8C9o4BzRQbmvnqm1KwDK3TxG-UGxHA/s1600/IMG_1687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-hKJ9qiOyypud405WBTT7n1J9IhyRWoVH4AF53-qqkpyEC2z26uyc3pSUDedKlIsLt5WtYQVpbiJC491hgtxvXpxyTFEU7v6f43x-mj_WXYK8C9o4BzRQbmvnqm1KwDK3TxG-UGxHA/s320/IMG_1687.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This mornings winter storm only dumped an inch or two of snow in our yard, by 6AM it had turned to rain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The problem with the rain is that it was only 24 degrees outside, ice was forming as fast as the precipitation hits the ground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was concerned for the Baltimore Oriole, today will be the seventh day that she has been here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I went out in the early morning dark and found the feeder frozen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I brought it inside, cleaned it up with hot water, put a new orange half on it and fresh jelly in the trays, then brought it back outside to it's place.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoCG56GzOvMnTeWVZBAjbzokPB0TcG7Fx2j_1sIVEeN6LKEV-aqfhc8WVG9GS7Z4ARYrjGaqDlJjxzxv0_Anzvq3pEV5MtI7S_fbOxZT5D-15yLy8Ch21kP2C1FKSeHTi7wn761kLcw/s1600/IMG_8940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoCG56GzOvMnTeWVZBAjbzokPB0TcG7Fx2j_1sIVEeN6LKEV-aqfhc8WVG9GS7Z4ARYrjGaqDlJjxzxv0_Anzvq3pEV5MtI7S_fbOxZT5D-15yLy8Ch21kP2C1FKSeHTi7wn761kLcw/s320/IMG_8940.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Soon after dawn, she was at the feeder, I guess I forgot to take care of the other feeder.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No hummingbirds here, but I keep trying.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0ibFvzjxd3tUL94QTbOYtAJYi1xk5qNdTfWaKksC91YIzCEKcjZUTnl0_MKVrF2_x9qsNSirsNE41gOuC1So8-eqefbER0VQrOEMsGwggN34PNh_K30jIl-6w9M4x43ZT5IOTgtVlw/s1600/IMG_8956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0ibFvzjxd3tUL94QTbOYtAJYi1xk5qNdTfWaKksC91YIzCEKcjZUTnl0_MKVrF2_x9qsNSirsNE41gOuC1So8-eqefbER0VQrOEMsGwggN34PNh_K30jIl-6w9M4x43ZT5IOTgtVlw/s320/IMG_8956.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Poor bird is soaked.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsbif2SkBb5N6d8qjt6h4jxjVVFu0w0nwDmuF2icb3b-S7_5rWOS7p6ntarU9YC8YaIuBcH2GExYH0_pSCed7joEr_Mr8WLRlTCMJZseojvQ8q1xWMxk3LG9wU4jzVWMWCDh3MaC_Pg/s1600/IMG_8932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsbif2SkBb5N6d8qjt6h4jxjVVFu0w0nwDmuF2icb3b-S7_5rWOS7p6ntarU9YC8YaIuBcH2GExYH0_pSCed7joEr_Mr8WLRlTCMJZseojvQ8q1xWMxk3LG9wU4jzVWMWCDh3MaC_Pg/s320/IMG_8932.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The half frozen Koi pond is popular with robins and other, with plenty of unfrozen water.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BfuMzEAOdxyUWAcb5h1H3khOUvgeUim7IT-McnAkeZdJAwLx6yMu6FxfwxSJqNWqkujYvMNT325Cji1XDp3bQ3_1JU9U_J2cMFLuwFiM0DtyZOr4xJ7DanE7xo-CyP-miVXLm1AKvg/s1600/IMG_8929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BfuMzEAOdxyUWAcb5h1H3khOUvgeUim7IT-McnAkeZdJAwLx6yMu6FxfwxSJqNWqkujYvMNT325Cji1XDp3bQ3_1JU9U_J2cMFLuwFiM0DtyZOr4xJ7DanE7xo-CyP-miVXLm1AKvg/s320/IMG_8929.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Squirrels are always taking advantage of the open water.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RTZ6cbf6J8j4WFYV5kYVCVMYGBOrK2zWLX9aWQcVTtTVS-hnit0goA994U8Tz3PZBBN2YCIwfY4EtpTgy2KbVSH6NTKA0GiQT2xfAoN7VaFzrGrflOIec3bYnSELSPDeLPtSwfiQmA/s1600/IMG_8926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RTZ6cbf6J8j4WFYV5kYVCVMYGBOrK2zWLX9aWQcVTtTVS-hnit0goA994U8Tz3PZBBN2YCIwfY4EtpTgy2KbVSH6NTKA0GiQT2xfAoN7VaFzrGrflOIec3bYnSELSPDeLPtSwfiQmA/s320/IMG_8926.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Norther Flicker raiding the suet this morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There were hundreds of birds this morning as I spread large amounts of seed and nuts over the frozen snow and ice covered ground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Outside of the oriole, no others birds were out of the normal species that could be here. </div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532212426205884676.post-2969589961575557302011-01-15T23:34:00.002-05:002011-01-16T00:02:24.412-05:00Snooriole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoJHCw7Ujbj_LbN3Qrrf0UfuuNJ3bwXpkWWFVv3mGLqYPrmh6JXNXXJJsycSM8YFNc08rxSBqwsN5bZOLhF1PuOCH8lvFzxDaLZ_TD_MyNenPxy4iiC_ey-Q8wczB_M3FEvIRbbNgvw/s1600/IMG_8767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoJHCw7Ujbj_LbN3Qrrf0UfuuNJ3bwXpkWWFVv3mGLqYPrmh6JXNXXJJsycSM8YFNc08rxSBqwsN5bZOLhF1PuOCH8lvFzxDaLZ_TD_MyNenPxy4iiC_ey-Q8wczB_M3FEvIRbbNgvw/s320/IMG_8767.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I peeked out the window Wednesday morning, yellow tail feathers were the first thing I saw, white belly, grey wings and white wing bars.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I thinking that this isn't your normal yellow shafted flicker, or yellow bellied sapsucker, birds one might expect to see in Connecticut with a few feet of snow on the ground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In fact, I'm still digging out of Tuesdays 18" snowfall, so what is a Baltimore Oriole doing at my suet feeder?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I grab a cup of coffee, shook off the fuzzies and take another look, OMG it is a Baltimore Oriole, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I grab the camera.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5_hSuKzrzYh8lwpBZtF_TPA496gQ3vsCKgxBor6TrUQa1OHcstYkbSfzEIVcQtwSTF5lUbfCL_K5IzpcJjAWyWEULrImNRp0INHsZFcjrXHsB_svKJmdCpw4nDKFn0ORwIeyZXKu8A/s1600/IMG_8777-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5_hSuKzrzYh8lwpBZtF_TPA496gQ3vsCKgxBor6TrUQa1OHcstYkbSfzEIVcQtwSTF5lUbfCL_K5IzpcJjAWyWEULrImNRp0INHsZFcjrXHsB_svKJmdCpw4nDKFn0ORwIeyZXKu8A/s320/IMG_8777-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This young lady was sampling all the goodies, she enjoyed the several suet feeders, moved on to the split peanuts, and then grabbed a few sunflower seeds</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qUXr0uikFmylcosnx8zCjnq6ke61hJiiSM58pmWp3qeLHeNXYC4Hf6HzIbqGtnJOsHAaK6RKnGe51gV5N_H8fNjF5-ilJwJUSdoymW0BwJFTzGveG06oA040xjc5dKoidxVBGM9SYw/s1600/IMG_8769-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qUXr0uikFmylcosnx8zCjnq6ke61hJiiSM58pmWp3qeLHeNXYC4Hf6HzIbqGtnJOsHAaK6RKnGe51gV5N_H8fNjF5-ilJwJUSdoymW0BwJFTzGveG06oA040xjc5dKoidxVBGM9SYw/s320/IMG_8769-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She fed like there was no tomorrow, lucky for her my feeders are filled with high fat content goodies to replenish her needs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After her feeding binge, I lost sight of her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_P9Bri9u1LqNTLmCZflIcHHLwXbxUyRjw5aSK0o0AZ7rajVqrRl2ZHbeGf2f85wAZ0lLvd9JGvD-dDK8jRNT012bL04Pe7h8nWqj9KVcLPwIPHVUr94W2eZUDO-aWmE-P03_MB7zM0g/s1600/IMG_8817-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_P9Bri9u1LqNTLmCZflIcHHLwXbxUyRjw5aSK0o0AZ7rajVqrRl2ZHbeGf2f85wAZ0lLvd9JGvD-dDK8jRNT012bL04Pe7h8nWqj9KVcLPwIPHVUr94W2eZUDO-aWmE-P03_MB7zM0g/s320/IMG_8817-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Later a friend of mine, stopped by and re-sighted the bird perched in one of the cedar trees in the backyard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bird was seen again later in the afternoon, perched in a neighbors yard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNpUVimZA1DpwaG24jldnblYF2_ZH4dujiMiINdEKm1BhuTc8M6Mgjb2dL2dY8bIMPi7oFFVV4vbzKhtvAyUm3FrGP1GE9ySUaxDc_HmbZ1cMj4i-h889rzRfSf64Hkwy90foXsPgqw/s1600/IMG_8826-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNpUVimZA1DpwaG24jldnblYF2_ZH4dujiMiINdEKm1BhuTc8M6Mgjb2dL2dY8bIMPi7oFFVV4vbzKhtvAyUm3FrGP1GE9ySUaxDc_HmbZ1cMj4i-h889rzRfSf64Hkwy90foXsPgqw/s320/IMG_8826-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday morning came, and after some quick feeding the oriole flew to our always open water bird bath, had a few drinks and then hopped in for this invigorating bath, singing that constant oriole rattle chatter, the whole time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtERGV58ibXOS65mxZNUDvad9tiMltOrwMgyMzOXebLEwrt13IEq05geXDsPNjr00dhFa_R5TKrTX3NVF1d7ye7dwyiBuYxME99HzX0gNfnjIlCWT1WDJ-dOTkUtZmlbu1c0DsT5Jkw/s1600/IMG_8828-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtERGV58ibXOS65mxZNUDvad9tiMltOrwMgyMzOXebLEwrt13IEq05geXDsPNjr00dhFa_R5TKrTX3NVF1d7ye7dwyiBuYxME99HzX0gNfnjIlCWT1WDJ-dOTkUtZmlbu1c0DsT5Jkw/s320/IMG_8828-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The temperature was 11 degrees Fahrenheit, yet she enjoyed her bath.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I put out my oriole feeder with oranges and Poloner All Fruit Grape Jelly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She ate from them both on Friday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I did not see her this morning, and had to leave for much of the day, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I returned home, I never did see the bird, but most of the jelly was gone.</div>Larry Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673474838770732399noreply@blogger.com0