Friday, December 15, 2006

The Year in Pictures 1

As we approach the end of the year, I thought I'd reflect on the year that was in my birding (and sometimes non-birding) life through some of my more memorable pictures. Shortly prior to starting this blog, I led my first official field trip for NJ Audubon Society. On a frigid day in early March, a group of 15 birders and I explored Barnegat Bay, Barnegat Lighthouse, the Atlantic Ocean, and the marshes and ponds that surround the area. We saw 49 species of birds including crippling views of Harlequin Ducks, Purple Sandpipers, and a Piping Plover. A cooperative Harbor Seal put on a nice show too. Alas, the hoped-for Short-eared Owls in the evening were not found.



Searching the sea for rafts of Scoters. That's me in front.


Barnegat Lighthouse - The inlet was full of Surf and Black Scoters


Purple Sandpiper - Barnegat Light is the best place to see this species in NJ


A pair of Harlequin Ducks - my personal favorite duck. Barnegat is also one of the best places to see this species.


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ah, Barnegat Light! Love those PurplePipers. But I can't say I miss wearing a coat and hat and gloves--and then s t i l l freezing.
Rick

LauraHinNJ said...

Barnegat Light in winter has got to be the coldest place on earth!

Great pics.

Patrick B. said...

Yeah there's not much escape from the cold out there! Thank goodness for the great birds!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great place to go birding! I must admit that my knowledge and experience birding the east coast is fairly lacking. It's on my ever shortening list of places I have yet to bird.