We camped up North this weekend, giving us a chance to check out a few good spots. Here’s what I photographed. We also spotted a few other warblers at Victory Basin, including an immature Magnolia and a likely Nashville, as well as what I think was a Redstart, but for me, getting a really good look at a Canada was a major treat. Also, at Victory Basin, just after I was thinking “I should really be looking for a Bittern in this marsh” a bittern landed right next to me and then flew off, before I could even get my camera pointed at it.
The other major treat was my first ever Vermont sighting of a Rusty Blackbird. No life birds this trip (no Gray Jay, Spruce Grouse or Boreal Chickadee) but some pretty good looks at birds I’ve seen before when the light wasn’t as good (Brown Creeper– first time I’ve ever seen one with the sun out) or my equipment wasn’t as nice (Canada Warbler, which I’ve only ever photographed once, back when I didn’t have nearly the setup I’ve had now, and never seen in VT before).
FRI, AUG 7, 2009
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Sometimes when birding you can experience moments in which everything just comes together. We were walking at night when we spotted this Osprey perched overhead, first simply perched, then noticing me, then flying off. [Fri, Aug 7, 2009, Brighton State Park, Island Pond, VT]
SAT, AUG 8, 2009
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Red-breasted nuthatches were plentiful at Moose Bog [Sat, Aug 8, 2009, Moose Bog, Ferdinand, VT]
This white-throated sparrow was bopping about in the bushes as we ended our walk [Sat, Aug 8, 2009, Moose Bog, Ferdinand, VT]
We didn’t manage to find a spruce grouse, but we did spot this ruffed grouse on the side of the road. I have no idea why its tongue is sticking out. [Sat, Aug 8, 2009, Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge,]
This question mark butterfly was hanging out at our campsite [Sat, Aug 8, 2009, Brighton State Park, Island Pond, VT]
This immature hermit thrush was spending a lot of time at our campsite [Sat, Aug 8, 2009, Brighton State Park, Island Pond, VT]
SUN, AUG 9, 2009
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A view of the beach at our campgrounds on an early misty morning [Sun, Aug 9, 2009, Brighton State Park, Island Pond, VT]
Probably the best photo I have ever taken of a brown creeper, and the sort of look I usually get of them [Sun, Aug 9, 2009, Brighton State Park, Island Pond, VT]
Mystery dragonfly, hanging out on my windshield [Sun, Aug 9, 2009, Brighton State Park, Island Pond, VT]
Red-eyed vireo [Sun, Aug 9, 2009, Brighton State Park, Island Pond, VT]
A walk through parts of Victory Basin yielded great looks at a chestnut-sided warbler [Sun, Aug 9, 2009, Victory Basin, Victory, VT]
http://juliesmagiclightshow.co…
http://juliesmagiclightshow.co…
Common yellowthroat [Sun, Aug 9, 2009, Victory Basin, Victory, VT]
Some of the best photos I have ever taken of a Canada Warbler [Sun, Aug 9, 2009, Victory Basin, Victory, VT]
Black-capped chickadee [Sun, Aug 9, 2009, Victory Basin, Victory, VT]
I think this is a Great Spangled Fritillary [Sun, Aug 9, 2009, Victory Basin, Victory, VT]
Mystery damselfly [Sun, Aug 9, 2009, Victory Basin, Victory, VT]
First rusty blackbird I have ever photographed (or even seen!) in Vermont [Sun, Aug 9, 2009, Victory Basin, Victory, VT]
Mystery flowers [Sun, Aug 9, 2009, Victory Basin, Victory, VT]
Mystery dragonfly [Sun, Aug 9, 2009, Victory Basin, Victory, VT]
A few closing notes: First, these are all smaller images, linked to larger ones. Clicking on them gets you to the larger versions, with details about the type of camera used to take the photograph, the lens used, etc.
Also, a shameless self-promotional plug: I’ve put together a 2010 Calendar of birding. Here’s the preview: