Harlequin Ducks at Barnegat Lighthouse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Thursday, a colleague told Mike about the Harlequin Ducks that spend the winter on the rocky coast at Barnegat Lighthouse off Long Beach. Chris just had to see them, so off we went at the start of the weekend in hopes of spotting this stunning waterfowl. The harlequin ducks were exactly where they had been a month earlier. It was definitely worth the drive as we felt well rewarded, and Chris even managed to overcome her irrational fear of walking along the huge rock jetty to see them. Now that we've seen them, we are having trouble deciding which is more beautiful, the Wood Duck or the Harlequin Duck. They both look like they have been hand painted.

Red-breasted Merganser at Barnegat Lighthouse

 

 

The red-breasted merganser looks like the common merganser. It prefers the salt water of Barnegat Bay to the freshwater of Lake Nelson.

Red-throated Loon at Barnegat Lighthouse

Long-tailed Ducks at Barnegat Lighthouse

These long-tailed ducked were an added bonus on our trip to Barnegat. There were many more of them than the Harlequins, and while not as strikingly colorful, they were very entertaining. There was great variety in their coloration, and only the male has the obviously long tail.

Hey, I thought you said this lake had defrosted

 

Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count: Feb. 13-16, 2009

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. This year, the bird count is Feb. 13-16, 2009

For details visit Great Backyard Bird Count

Defrosted

The lake has finally defrosted. Word got out quickly. We get to count some fancy ducks in the Great Backyard Bird Count. Two wood ducks arrived, followed by a hooded merganser.

Common Mergansers: Photo by Josh in Bordentown, NJ

I am new to bird watching. Kids seems to be getting into to it. Do not know the name of the following ducks. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank You,

Josh
Bordentown NJ

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They are common mergansers. The male is being followed by the female. They are great fun to watch because they dive and catch fish.
Mike and Chris

Reddish Egret

We first observed the reddish egret in California where it is rare. The reason we are posting so many pictures is because we have become quite the fans of this entertaining bird. Unlike the careful, calculated stalking technique of the other herons and egrets, the reddish egret will run, hop, spread its wings and basically look very silly while it's fishing. We also love the crazy wiry hairstyle (known to more serious birders as plumage.)

We really like the reddish egret

 

 

 

 

 

Here, he's demonstrating his fishing technique.

Tricolored heron

 

Snowy Egret

Warbler

We think this is a warbler.

Red Bellied Woodpecker at a Palm Tree

 

The Red Bellied Woodpecker is still one of our favorites no matter what state we are in. We like palm trees too.

Mottled Duck at Ding Darling

 

Shorebirds on Sanibel Island

Sanderling

Plover?

Ruddy Turnstone

Willet

Brown Pelicans

The brown pelicans rest in the trees along the beaches in Sanibel. They look like they are much too heavy to be supported by the small limbs

Pied-billed Grebes at Sanibel

 

 

Pied-billed Grebes are the smallest and cutest of the seabirds

Sanibel Gulls and Terns

Royal Tern

We usually are not a big fan of the sea gull. However, walking down the beach, we encountered a funny looking sea gull with a longer bill and a funny crown of black hair. A passerby identified it as a royal tern. They were still around we when came back later with the camera so we got a few pictures. Here are some pictures of other gulls too.