Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Pink Footed, Barnacle, White Fronted Geese and an Cooper's Hawk

I took vacation this week and spent some time chasing around rare bird sightings.  I had great luck, but the pictures didn't come out that great.  In most cases, I was a good distance from the subject.  The Pink Footed Goose is a rarity for Massachusetts.  "They" claim there has only been 3 sightings of the goose during the last decade.  I've always wondered how "they" have so much variable expertise in every subject and how so many people know them.  Seems like everyone is always quoting them.  I digress.  

Pink Footed Goose

The Barnacle Goose was taken on Massachusetts Corrections property.  I should have known better, but we got the boot from the property.  I was still able to get a pretty good shot of the Barnacle Goose before getting the bootsky!  

Barnacle Goose

It took me 45 minutes to find the White Fronted in a flock (or is it a gaggle) of Canada Geese.  There were easily 100 CG and only one WFG.  The sun was also behind the geese too so it made it double trouble.  I was elated to finally find it.  However, just when I had him in the view finder a customer called me. AUGH!  Yes I know I'm on vacation, but customers needs come first always.   It took me another 15 minutes to find it again, but I got it.  

White-Fronted Goose

Lastly, I  stopped to take a picture of a hawk dining on a pigeon.  Pretty good pic, but unfortunately I can't tell the species.  I'm leaning toward a immature Coop, but it could also be an immature sharpie.  The legs were short.  Hope you like!   
Cooper's Hawk

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Cooper's Hawk Rusty Blackbird, Green-winged Teal and a Ringneck Duck

I went on a South Shore Bird Club walk this morning looking for waterfowl on several large bodies of water immediately south of Boston.  Unfortunately large bodies of water do not promote great bird photography.  The daily list was excellent and I was fortunately able to get a few good pictures.  Great Pond in Randolph was loaded with Green Winged Teal, but there were also Red Headed Ducks, Lesser and Greater Scuaps, Common Goldeneye, Common Loon, Ring necked Duck and several other great species.  We went to a small pond in Stoughton, MA and I had my best luck for photos.  A Cooper's Hawk swooped over a neighbors feeder.  I was able to get close enough to see it land on a bird bath.  Great Photo! 

Then we were scanning the pond's edge and a Rusty Blackbird landed on the green grass.  Took me awhile to walk around the pond, but I got pretty close. 

This pond also contained 60 Ring necked ducks, a beautiful pair of Pintails, a few Ruddy Ducks and misc gulls.

Cooper's Hawk
Rusty Blackbird

Rusty Blackbird (in heavy molt)
Green winged Teal
Ring Necked Duck