Our ongoing frigid temperatures have greatly reduced the numbers of waterfowl overwintering in Cape May; most of them shipped out to points south when the ponds and lakes and bays froze over, and they haven't returned. Many of the birds that stayed have congregated around the marina docks in the back bays, where the movement of those few boats still in the water (and the slightly warmer temperatures from all the surrounding buildings and pavements and so forth) have kept the water open. Though it's probably not ideal for the birds to be so close to us (it's undoubtedly rather stressful to be close to all of us humans), it's wonderful for the birders, especially for those with cameras in hand.
Buffleheads are small sea ducks (the male's the one with the whiter sides and bigger white head patch). Intriguingly, they nest in trees in northern boreal forests -- in old woodpecker holes!
Female Common Goldeneyes. As weird as it is to imagine ducks in trees, this is another tree-nesting species.
A Common Loon in winter plumage -- much more subtly plumed than it will be in a few months.
Another spectacular sunset sky enticed Mike and me down to the beach again this evening. Cape May certainly does seem to have more than its share of glorious sunsets!
No comments:
Post a Comment