Showing posts with label house sparrow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label house sparrow. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Feature: Stratford Point, Connecticut

While the Stratford Point Light remains the property of the United States Coast Guard, and has very limited access save a day or two during the year, the green space to its immediate north is maintained by Audubon Connecticut.


The Common Loon above (image 1) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

This land offers a stunning coastal grassland area near the mouth of the Housatonic River which has of this writing 282 species of bird observed according to eBird data. It was my hope to visit Stratford Point and observe the LeConte's and Clay-colored Sparrows seen a day earlier at the venue.


The Herring Gull above (image 2) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The Mallard above (image 3) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The Brant above (image 4) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The Brant above (image 5) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The Song Sparrow above (image 6) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

It was unfortunate to miss such rare species even with the added eyes of many experienced birders, but I was able to nonetheless add Red-throated Loon, Field Sparrow, and Brant as life bird species observed.


The Savannah Sparrow above (image 7) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The Song Sparrow above (image 8) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 9) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The House Sparrow above (image 10) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The House Sparrow above (image 11) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The Vesper Sparrow above (image 12) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

Stratford Point is unquestionably a wildlife venue that would not disappoint a visitor at any time of year. It was with good fortune that I was also able to see abundant butterfly activity. The unsuccessful attempt by a Merlin to capture a migrating Monarch Butterfly will not easily be forgotten.


The Field Sparrow above (image 13) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The Merlin above (image 14) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The Merlin above (image 15) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The Common Yellowthroat above (image 16) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The White-tailed Deer above (image 17) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The House Sparrow above (image 18) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

There was the neat coincidence to meet up with a fellow birding enthusiast named Paul whom I had met at Donald W. Barnes Boat Launch earlier in the year. Another birder told me of the nearby Mondo Ponds which I investigated enjoyably before making the trek back along the highway.


The Monarch Butterfly above (image 19) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The American Crow above (image 20) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The Orange Sulpher Butterfly above (image 21) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The Great Black-backed Gull above (image 22) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The Great Black-backed Gull above (image 23) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The Ring-billed Gull above (image 24) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

Stratford Point is unquestionably a must visit venue when in the area. Have all of your accoutrements with you including bins, scope and camera if available. A scope would have been especially helpful to me if I had it to assist in identifying a large flock of gulls.


The Red-throated Loon above (image 25) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The Field Sparrow above (image 26) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The Painted Lady Butterfly above (image 27) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The Song Sparrow above (image 28) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.


The Milkweed bug nymphs above (image 29) were photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

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The Common Buckeye Butterfly above (image 30) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Miami And Florida Keys June Wildlife Tour: Part V

The trek home to conclude an annual wildlife tour including the Florida Keys with Tom Obrock was leisurely through Miami-Dade County on 11 June 2014.


The Barn Owl above was photographed near Lucky Hammock in June 2014.

My first sighting of Shiny Cowbird was made at Key West Country Club to end the day the night before while I almost neglected to include its image in the blog.


The Shiny Cowbird above was photographed at Vaca Key in June 2014.


The Swan Goose above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.


The Mitred Parakeet above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.

My first sighting of a Barn Owl which was roadkill (ironically for the bird near Lucky Hammock) will unfortunately be thought of on every future trip to this beautiful place. With good fortune I'll have another Barn Owl observation.


The Mitred Parakeet above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.


The European Starling above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.


The Chimney Swift above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.

In my haste to get a gander of White-tailed Kite near the entrance to Everglades National Park we drove to this area first on the final day of the trip. Tom advised visiting here later in the morning when the thermals would offer a possibility of seeing the species in flight.


The Fish Crow above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.


The House Sparrow above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.


The House Sparrow above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.

Since I had only observed White-tailed Kite once before, it would not have been a problem for me to wait as long as necessary, within reason, for another view of them. As the rainy season has become just that, we continued to Baptist Hospital of Miami with the clock ticking.


The Mitred Parakeet above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.


The Mitred Parakeet above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.


The Fish Crow above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.

Upon arrival to the hospital where wildlife is abundant, a large flock of Mitred Parakeet worked the grounds. It was a treat for me to see Chimney Swift which I have not had enough chances to document. I spent the greatest time here watching them.


The House Sparrow above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.


The Red-masked Parakeet above was photographed at the University of Miami in June 2014.


The Red-masked Parakeet above was photographed at the University of Miami in June 2014.

Tom and I then chose to look for the Red-whiskered Bulbul which remains a nemesis bird for me even after this trip. Though I prefer to photograph birds in flight or at rest in a natural setting, I would have been excited to see the species on a wire.


The Red-masked Parakeet above was photographed at the University of Miami in June 2014.


The Red-masked Parakeet above was photographed at the University of Miami in June 2014.


The Red-masked Parakeet above was photographed at the University of Miami in June 2014.

We continued on to the University of Miami for other exotics. It was a treat to have my first sighting of Red-masked Parakeet. It was interesting to see how they were so camouflaged in the trees. If the birds did not take flight, I would have never noticed them.


The Red-masked Parakeet above was photographed at the University of Miami in June 2014.


The Cave Swallow above was photographed at the Snapper Canal in June 2014.


The Cave Swallow above was photographed at the Snapper Canal in June 2014.

Our last stop before the deluge was at the Snapper Canal where Cave Swallows have been reported. One in a hurry would have missed the species as they were not immediately present.


The Cave Swallow above was photographed at the Snapper Canal in June 2014.


The Cave Swallow above was photographed at the Snapper Canal in June 2014.

You may see Tom's account of this trip here.


The Cave Swallow above was photographed at the Snapper Canal in June 2014.

Please also see: Miami And Florida Keys June Wildlife Tour Part I
Please also see: Miami And Florida Keys June Wildlife Tour Part II
Please also see: Miami And Florida Keys June Wildlife Tour Part III
Please also see: Miami And Florida Keys June Wildlife Tour Part IV