Up And Away

Heavy Overhead

Earlier this week I had this bald eagle do an overhead cruise just above my location.

This eagle is one half of our local mated pair that we’re hoping may have chicks this year.

That should be good news for us as we hope to be able to capture action shots of them hunting for food to feed the youngsters. Bad news for the area coot population though, who have no idea they could become the main item on the eagle buffet!

Bald Eagle Overhead Flight

Bald Eagle Overhead Flight

Quick Skirmish In The Salt Marsh

Earlier this week there were a couple of egrets fishing in the salt marsh during low tide. The egrets don’t seem to be in particularly social moods lately, and when I saw this one jump off, I wasn’t surprised to see him go after the other egret.

He bit the offending bird in the rump and then tried to bite it’s foot but missed as the lucky egret skipped away to safety just in time.

Egret Fight in the Salt Marsh

Egret Fight in the Salt Marsh

Egret Fight in the Salt Marsh

Egret Fight in the Salt Marsh

Egret Fight in the Salt Marsh

Late Afternoon Sky

Afternoon Fishing

Earlier this week a snowy egret came gliding into the salt marsh, landing among the oyster beds during low tide.

Snowball no sooner hit the ground when he whipped his head around after spotting some movement. Sure enough…he grabbed up a nice little fishie snack for himself. A quick gulp and the snowy had a great start to his lunch!

Snowy Fishing in the Salt Marsh

Snowy Fishing in the Salt Marsh

Snowy Fishing in the Salt Marsh

Snowy Fishing in the Salt Marsh

On The Hunt

Late this afternoon we had an osprey come flying in and circle the salt marsh a couple of times. The osprey clearly had his eye on something down there and I saw him hit the water twice but he never came up with a fish.

It was fun and interesting to see this large bird go into a hover mode, and then start the steep dive.

As it was leaving the area the osprey flew in close right over my head. So close I couldn’t fit all of him in my lens.  🙂

Osprey Flight Over the Salt Marsh

Osprey Flight Over the Salt Marsh

Osprey Flight Over the Salt Marsh

Osprey Flight Over the Salt Marsh

Osprey Flight Over the Salt Marsh

Osprey Flight Over the Salt Marsh

Weekend Loon

We had an unusual appearance in the salt marsh this past weekend when a red throated loon cruised in for a brief visit.

This is not a bird we often see so it was a nice treat. The loon floated back and forth in the salt marsh during mid tide while most of the wading birds were sitting in trees or feeding elsewhere.

The loon didn’t seem to be especially timid or concerned about a person pointing something at him, and he got quite close at one point.

Anyway, at least it was something different then our usual sightings of Radar. Not that there is anything wrong with that, and later this week I will be posting photos from today of our egret pal with his new friend. 🙂

Red Throated Loon in Salt Marsh

Red Throated Loon in Salt Marsh

Red Throated Loon in Salt Marsh

Red Throated Loon in Salt Marsh

Red Throated Loon in Salt Marsh

Red Throated Loon in Salt Marsh

Quick In…Quick Out

Yesterday afternoon this bald eagle came swooping in from the far side of the salt marsh and landed in a pine tree at the edge.

The eagle wasn’t there but a few seconds when he took off again heading out on a mission across the marsh.

Bald Eagle Flight Across the Salt Marsh

Bald Eagle Flight Across the Salt Marsh

Bald Eagle Flight Across the Salt Marsh