Bird Survey, Pinellas NWR: 12-15-18

The 7 islands in the Pinellas NWR

Great Blue Heron on its nest on Miller Family Bird Colony Island near the Don Cesar Resort on St Pete Beach

Shake.  Shake.  Shake

Adult Brown Pelican

Takeoff

Resting on a dock

Resting under the Tierra Verde Bridge

Herring Gull

American White Pelicans on the supports along the north side of Indian Key

Preening

Hanging out with Double-crested Cormorants

Why men are so happy

Thanks Stephanie!

Ospreys on Bird Survey: 12-30-18

On the hunt

Balance is important

Dinner time

Mullet.  A favorite prey item

Humpback Whales in British Columbia: 9-18

These amazing whales can exchange about 90% of their lung volume in about 3 seconds!

Spy hop

Coming up to look around

Ring-necked Ducks at Savannah NWR, SC: 12-21-18

 Male Ring-necked Duck (seems like Ring-billed Duck would be a better name)

This species might better be called the “Ring-billed Duck,” for its chestnut neck ring is usually seen only at close range, while the white ring on the bill can be a prominent field mark.

These ducks are fast fliers

Female

5 males and a single female

They undertake longer migrations than most other diving ducks.

During fall migration, these ducks can form immense flocks.  

Several hundred thousand congregate each fall on certain lakes in Minnesota to feed on wild rice.

Deck shots

St Pete sunset

This line of Brown Pelicans heading into Coffee Pot Bayou for the evening numbered 54.  Several more lines were following.

Hundreds of White Ibises heading to roost on Bird Island

A kettle of 87 Turkey Vultures was circling over Bay Point

One Osprey chased after another one that had a fish

The fish dropped and the chaser bird recovered and nabbed it off the surface before it sank.

One of the pups from next door

Snowy Egret looking for breakfast

Red-bellied Woodpecker storing acorns in our oak

A blonde?