Photo by Chris Bosak
An icicle resembling a claw hangs from a home in Danbury, Conn, in March 2017.
I would have never noticed this icicle hanging from my gutter last week if I weren’t a birdwatcher, but since I’m attuned to such things …
Photo by Chris Bosak
A Pied-billed Grebe catches a fish in a pond in Danbury, Conn., November 2016.
It’s officially 2017. Happy New Year to all Birds of New England readers! As I did last year, I’m going to use the first few days of the new year to publish a few photos left over from the previous year that never saw the light of day, for whatever reason. Enjoy and I wish you all a great year of birding in 2017.
The above photo is another shot of the Pied-billed Grebe I saw a month or so ago in Danbury, Conn., eating a fish. Below is the original shot I published back in November.
Photo by Chris Bosak
A Pied-billed Grebe catches a fish in a pond in Danbury, Conn., November 2016.
Photo by Chris Bosak
A Hooded Merganser swims in a pond in Danbury, Conn., Dec. 2016.
Here’s a nice male Hooded Merganser I spotted at a pond in Danbury, Conn., on the second-to-last day of 2016. Goodbye 2016. Let’s see what 2017 brings us.
Happy New Year and thanks for supporting http://www.BirdsofNewEngland.com in 2016.
Photo by Chris Bosak
A Hooded Merganser swims in a pond in Danbury, Conn., Dec. 2016.
Photo by Chris Bosak
A Black-crowned Night Heron perches on a railing at a marina along the Norwalk River, Norwalk, Conn., spring 2016.
My last few posts have been about Wood Ducks. It’s not everyday you come across “brave” female Wood Ducks with babies, so why not get some mileage out of it?
We’ll switch gears a bit for this posting with some photos of a Black-crowned Night Heron I saw while walking into work on day last week along the Norwalk River. Black-crowned Night Herons may be seen throughout New England, both Continue reading
Photo by Chris Bosak
A young groundhog stands between two rocks in Danbury, Conn., 2016.
Because we can’t get enough of those young groundhogs — at least until they grow up.
Below are some shots of them during a Continue reading
Photo by Chris Bosak
A young groundhog stands on a rock in Danbury, Conn., spring 2016.
These guys or gals will grow up to eat vegetables out of your garden, dig holes on your property and wreak havoc on your yard. But for now, aren’t they cute?
(Personally, I think they are pretty neat at whatever age.)
I saw these young groundhogs (or woodchucks) near my house the other day.
Photo by Chris Bosak
A young groundhog stands on a rock in Danbury, Conn., spring 2016.
Photo by Chris Bosak
A young groundhog rests on a rock in Danbury, Conn., 2016.
Photo by Chris Bosak
A Blue-winged Warbler seen at Fairchild Wildflower Sanctuary in Greenwich, Conn., May 2016.
I hadn’t seen one in years. I just haven’t been visiting the right spots as Blue-winged Warblers stick to a pretty specific habitat: low, brushy, shruby. You’re not likely to find one deep in the woods.
But I found myself with an hour to kill and driving in the vicinity of Fairchild Wildflower Sanctuary in Greenwich, Conn. This was an old haunt of mine when I lived in nearby New York and had to drive past the exit daily. Now I found myself trekking the trails there again.
I had seen a few warblers — including a few Yellow Warblers, a specialty there — when I heard the song of the Blue-winged Warbler. It’s a buzzy song, almost insect-like. They look as cool as they sound with bright yellow plumage and a long, thin black eye stripe. It was nice to see them again (there were two) and even nicer that they were somewhat cooperative as I tried to photograph them.
Here are some shots of the Blue-winged Warbler. (I know the wings don’t exactly look blue. I don’t name the birds.)
Photo by Chris Bosak
A Blue-winged Warbler seen at Fairchild Wildflower Sanctuary in Greenwich, Conn., May 2016.
Photo by Chris Bosak
A Blue-winged Warbler seen at Fairchild Wildflower Sanctuary in Greenwich, Conn., May 2016.
Photo by Chris Bosak
A Blue-winged Warbler seen at Fairchild Wildflower Sanctuary in Greenwich, Conn., May 2016.
Photo by Chris Bosak
An Eastern Phoebe visits a bird bath in Danbury, Conn., March 2016.
My neighborhood is alive with the sounds of Eastern Phoebes. These somewhat nondescript birds are one of the first migrants to return to New England in the spring. By mid-March many New Englanders are ready for some real signs of spring. The arrival of phoebes is one of those heart-lifting signs. Usually we hear phoebes first as their lispy “phoebe, phoebeee” can be heard in the yard as the birds seek out nesting sights. These tail-pumping birds build “classic” nests of mud, sticks and grass, often in areas near humans.
I was lucky enough to see one at my bird bath the other day. I love seeing different bird sightings and a phoebe at the bath is not something you see every day.
Thanks for checking out http://www.BirdsofNewEngland.com
Photo by Chris Bosak
A Great Blue Heron comes in for a landing at a pond in New England, March 2016.
Not the best photo, but gives you a good idea of just how big Great Blue Herons are — especially with wings outstretched.
They are tall and skinny when standing but have a wingspan of about 6 feet. That is about the same as a Bald Eagle (although some female Bald Eagles get even bigger.)
Great Blue Herons rank high on my “favorite bird” list. I have tons of photos to prove it. Below are a few more I’ve taken over the years.
Photo by Chris Bosak
A Killdeer walks along the ground at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien, Conn., March 2016.
Last week I posted about the Green-winged Teal I saw at a small pond at a cemetery Darien. I’m a big duck person so I get a little excited when I see a duck I don’t often see.
But the teal wasn’t the only good bird I saw that day. Here are a few more. (Above) Killdeer nest in the cemetery every year, so it’s good to know they are back. (Spring is close.) Last year I was lucky enough to capture the copulation of the pair. Click here for that link. Below, I can’t resist photographing a Great Blue Heron when the opportunity presents itself, regardless of how many Great Blue Heron photos I have already.
Photo by Chris Bosak
A Great Blue Heron looks for food at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien, Conn., March 2016.
Birds of New England.com 