Chirps and Cheeps

A Photo Journal of My Birding Adventures & Observations

My birding blog site


  Evening Walk at Tifft

Published: April 23, 2014
Tags: General Observations, Osprey, Belted Kingfisher, Tree Swallow, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Winter Wren

After a cold, rainy day, an evening walk through Tifft tonight was especially lovely.  The setting sun and the serenity of the nearly empty preserve was extra special.

I didn't see much out of the ordinary on my walk, but I was very happy to find the Osprey has, indeed, returned. Others have reported that it was back, but I hadn't gotten a chance to see it for myself yet. He made up for it tonight, though, because I ran into him several times. I saw him up on the nesting platform, on a fly-by out on the boardwalk, calling his eerie call from high up in a tree near the South Blind, and then again up near the edge of the mounds on my way out. Being unfamiliar with his call, I must say it went right through me each time I heard it.

The female Belted Kingfisher gave me some splendid close encounters. Usually, they're so reluctant to be within a hundred feet or more - but tonight, this gal seemed totally unconcerned with my presence. She even landed in a tree almost directly overhead at one point - and stayed perched while I took a bunch of photos. Amazing!

I did get some nice views of a White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrows, a few Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Caspian Terns, a Winter Wren, and more Tree Swallows.  It was an evening that restored the spirit, soul, and body...

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Osprey flyover

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Osprey

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Osprey

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Belted Kingfisher (female)

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Belted Kingfisher

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Belted Kingfisher

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Northern Shoveler

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Two Pied-billed Grebes

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Ring-necked Duck

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Terrible photo of a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

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Brown-headed Cowbird

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White-crowned Sparrow

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White-throated Sparrow

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Swamp sparrow

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Ruby-crowned Kinglet

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Caspian Tern

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Tree Swallow

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Tree Swallow

Reply from: tim on 4/24/2014 1:21 AM
 Lovely photos of the Osprey and Kingfisher Sue. After many years of trying I can't get within 100 yds of these guys.Great work.Also lovely BT Green Warbler shots !
Reply from: Sue on 4/25/2014 9:40 AM
 Thanks, Tim. I guess luck is a big component on these birds - right place and time. I was surprised they both were so accommodating, which is unusual. Maybe it was the time of day or my slow and quiet walk through the very quiet preserve - not sure - but I'll take it! Every once in awhile, we get a gift - right?!


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