Sorry.... I will get it right next time. :(
Sayer
---------------
Sayer's Web: http://sayersweb.com
----- Original Message ----
From: Sayer <sayersweb@xxxxxxxxx>
To: VA Bird <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2006 8:50:07 PM
Subject: [va-bird] Sunday morning at Huntley Meadows - photos
It was a bit cold and windy this morning at Huntley Meadows. Photography has
kindled my interest in birds, but I am very new to this and limited to what the
camera lens can see, so I can only account for the ones that are fairly close.
I'm quickly learning that it is not easy to get close enough to most birds to
get decent photos. Links to the photos I took are included below if anyone is
interested in seeing them.
Please don't hesitate to make suggestions/corrections. I have a lot to learn.
A very vocal Red-Wing Blackbird was the first to welcome us. We got fairly
close before he moved on. There were many of them flitting amongst the
Cattails.
http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/57779734 ;
http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/57779736 ;
We saw two Snipe that were working their way around the shore near the
observation tower (thankfully an avid birder pointed them out to us). The first
photo shows the postion the Snipe froze in when we approached:
http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/57779738 ;
http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/57779740 ;
The Mallards were very active both on the water and in the air. I usually don't
take photos of them, but they were especially animated today. I even got a few
photos of them in flight:
http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/57779721 ;
http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/57779728
http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/57779730
http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/57779732
http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/57779723
http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/57779726
There were a lot of Spoonbills but I had difficulty getting close enough for
decent photos. Seems their main activity (besides eating) involves males
chasing each other. This was the first time I have seen them and enjoyed their
antics.
http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/57779742
http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/57780982
A highlight was seeing a pair of Wood Ducks since I have never seen them
before. They stayed very close to each other (and far away from us) and flew to
an old tree (3rd photo) after we hung around too long. Photos are not too good,
but it was very exciting to see them.
http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/57779745
http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/57779747
http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/57779750
The Killdeer were very chatty and active and a lot of fun to watch. This photo
is rather poor, but is the first Killdeer I have had the chance to photograph.
http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/57779719
Last photo is of a Canada Goose. I was trying to get Spoonbill photos near the
edge of the water when a pair of geese came very close and acted very bothered
by my presence. I took this close-up and then respectfully moved away:
http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/57779717
In additon, we saw many Green-Winged Teals. Also, a hawk (Red-Tailed I think)
flew over quite low and seemed to spook the Snipe who darted into the brush
(either the hawk or our sudden movement to look up at the hawk spooked them).
Also saw many small birds (I think mostly Sparrows) and heard the calls of many
woodpeckers but only saw a couple of them.
Sayer Seely
Herndon, Virginia
---------------
Sayer's Web: http://sayersweb.com ;