When viewing photos use your web browser's back arrow to return to this page.
Page 13
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Crescent Moon and Venus, February 26, 2012
2012, but it was primarily a naked eye spectacle as attempting to get the moon and three planets
into a single frame would have reduced the moon to a spec but at least in this shot you can see
the moon and venus in the frame.
2012, but it was primarily a naked eye spectacle as attempting to get the moon and three planets
into a single frame would have reduced the moon to a spec but at least in this shot you can see
the moon and venus in the frame.
Common Gallinule, to date February 27, 2012
The story of the winter survival of the Common Gallinule is a story of a few dedicated and common
member of the rail family of birds should be thousands of kilometres south of here this time of
year, but it was trapped when ice closed in about in its tiny enclave on Red Bridge Pond, at times
providing only 5 metres by 8 metres of open water. Feeding it helped keep up its body fat which
among the grasses and reeds protruding through the ice. The task is not yet over but success is
now in sight as the ice has started to recede.
The story of the winter survival of the Common Gallinule is a story of a few dedicated and common
member of the rail family of birds should be thousands of kilometres south of here this time of
year, but it was trapped when ice closed in about in its tiny enclave on Red Bridge Pond, at times
providing only 5 metres by 8 metres of open water. Feeding it helped keep up its body fat which
among the grasses and reeds protruding through the ice. The task is not yet over but success is
now in sight as the ice has started to recede.
My alarm woke me at 5AM, to get me off for an early morning visit to Conrad's Beach and an
appointment with the sunrise. After photographing the sunrise I began a search for the Meadowlark
species which has been over-wintering here in the grasses behind the beach ridge. I saw it a
couple of weeks ago but its an elusive bird keeping low in the grass and only seen when startled
its song or call, an event that may happen in middle to late March if it survives.
The shoals of Duncan Reef often have Purple Sandpipers feeding on the rocks, usually at mid to
low tide. In my experience this bird is not shy and easily approachable. The problem is that they
overenthusiastic photographers might get wet or worse if a tropical storm is off shore and rogue
waves are a risk. These photos were taken with my walk-about lens, 70-300mm. Taking a larger
lens to this area is a chore due to the steepness and dangers of the trails.
March 6, 2012, Greater White-fronted Goose Expedition
I decided on impulse to search for a reported Greater White-fronted Goose in the Blue Rocks area
near Lunenburg. I set off to the described location in mid morning and found the goose within
fifteen minutes. Uncommon and rare geese are being reported more often, perhaps due to changes
in the weather, but more likely due to the diligent searching done by some of our best birders.
I decided on impulse to search for a reported Greater White-fronted Goose in the Blue Rocks area
near Lunenburg. I set off to the described location in mid morning and found the goose within
fifteen minutes. Uncommon and rare geese are being reported more often, perhaps due to changes
in the weather, but more likely due to the diligent searching done by some of our best birders.
March 13, 2012, Coltsfoot in Bloom
The Coltsfoot is one of our earliest blooming flowers but these examples might have set a record
for early blooming. Laura and I found them at the intersection of Chebucto Head and Duncan's
Cove Roads this day.
The Coltsfoot is one of our earliest blooming flowers but these examples might have set a record
for early blooming. Laura and I found them at the intersection of Chebucto Head and Duncan's
Cove Roads this day.
March 17, My Last Visit and Feeding of the Common Gallinule
The Common Gallinule at Red Bridge Pond has survived our winter thanks to the help of some
bird lovers, including me, who fed the bird all winter; salmon, sardines, suet, snails, seeds and
various greens. Today was my last visit and I wish this bird well. My thanks to all who cared
enough to come out here and feed this bird. At one time, when things were darkest, the bird was
restricted to about 300 square feet of open water!
The Common Gallinule at Red Bridge Pond has survived our winter thanks to the help of some
bird lovers, including me, who fed the bird all winter; salmon, sardines, suet, snails, seeds and
various greens. Today was my last visit and I wish this bird well. My thanks to all who cared
enough to come out here and feed this bird. At one time, when things were darkest, the bird was
restricted to about 300 square feet of open water!
March 19. 2012, Fox Sparrows on Territory, Singing, Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park
Fox Sparrows nest at Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park but this day was my earliest encounter
confused with thrushes by inexperienced birders. It is also an annual regular through our property in
Portuguese Cove. Although a migrant we had one stay at our home site for about fifteen months
continuously. That was a treat!
Fox Sparrows nest at Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park but this day was my earliest encounter
confused with thrushes by inexperienced birders. It is also an annual regular through our property in
Portuguese Cove. Although a migrant we had one stay at our home site for about fifteen months
continuously. That was a treat!
March 19, 2012, the Sunrise Arrival of the Tall Ship Simon Bolivar
Although I was alerted to the sunrise arrival of the Simon Bolivar I almost missed the event. I had
surprise when I looked out our living room window there it was just off Portuguese Cove. I rushed
to a secondary vantage closer to the inner harbour and was able to get sunrise photos, a little
later then I wanted but good enough. The Simon Bolivar is a training vessel for the Venezuelan
Venezuela. She was launched in Bilboa on November 21, 1979. She carries a complement of 110
plus 87 cadets.
Simon Bolivar was a remarkable man. He led the struggle for independence of Columbia,
Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia. He served as president of Gran Colombia from 1819 to 1830 and is
considered one of the most influential politicians and military leaders in Latin American History.
Although I was alerted to the sunrise arrival of the Simon Bolivar I almost missed the event. I had
surprise when I looked out our living room window there it was just off Portuguese Cove. I rushed
to a secondary vantage closer to the inner harbour and was able to get sunrise photos, a little
later then I wanted but good enough. The Simon Bolivar is a training vessel for the Venezuelan
Venezuela. She was launched in Bilboa on November 21, 1979. She carries a complement of 110
plus 87 cadets.
Simon Bolivar was a remarkable man. He led the struggle for independence of Columbia,
Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia. He served as president of Gran Colombia from 1819 to 1830 and is
considered one of the most influential politicians and military leaders in Latin American History.
