Friendly Birds
Yesterday I took a quick walk after visiting the local casino (to play my free casino money they gave me, I didn’t loose anything). I tried focusing my time on photographing the Vesper Sparrows down on ASP Rt. 2 and wasn’t successful in relocating them. I found myself just wondering around and enjoying all the wildlife around me. The Eastern Phoebe’s (as in the picture above) were fairly numerous with the males following the females around like a lost puppy. Tree Swallows were mostly heard soaring around in search of insects while the Ospreys were actively carrying sticks to their nesting platform. I noticed that the woodfrogs and spotted salamanders have already started laying their eggs.
Before heading home I decided to check if there were any waterfowl on Red House Lake. I first focused on a large raft of Buffleheads and the handful of Ring-necked Duck. Yeah, a single Ruddy Duck!! I so love these little ducks! Pied-billed Grebes and Horned Grebes were also observed fishing on the outer edges of the lake. But it wasn’t until I quickly came across this black and white checkered bird that I really started getting excited. I swiftly grabbed my camera and started taking pictures of the Loon in its breeding plumage. What a way to end my day and then head home (to start working on blog!)
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 
Oh so cool! I love LOONS!
Great way to end your day 😀
3 April 2007 at 9:52 pm
Nice shot of theLoon!-I actually haven’t seen a Tree Swallow yet this year, but I imagine I will this weekend. Phoebes were actually around in December and January this year in Connecticut. Maybe some never left.
3 April 2007 at 9:53 pm
Oh my gosh, these photos are so beautiful. You get shots of such interesting birds (and eggs). I love that little vesper sparrow! I’ve always wanted to see a loon. I’ll have to live vicariously through your blog until I see them on my own. Thanks for the great pictures.
3 April 2007 at 10:00 pm
@ Marg- thanks and love loons also!
@ Larry – they should be here soon! December, very cool!
@ Barb – this is a picture of the Eastern Phoebe and you should be abel to get loons up along Lake Ontario! The Rarebird reports might direct you to their exact spots of interest. Thanks for your kind words! I always try to keep things interesting!
3 April 2007 at 10:05 pm
As usual, you show birds at their best. I would like to comment that I am proud that I was able to identify the photo of the Phoebe before I read your text. There is hope for me, I hope?
3 April 2007 at 10:24 pm
Common (or any) loons are high on my list of “Must See” birds. They are so fancy looking, like they are ready to go out to a 5 star restaurant.
4 April 2007 at 12:48 am
Way cool. I was just reading my son an old informational book on Frogs and Toads. The illustrations were AMAZING pencil sketches. The information was fairly accurate although it was old enough that “we don’t know where warts come from but it isn’t from frogs or toads.” I told Gage that we DO know where warts come from . . . viruses. 🙂 He didn’t seem to appreciate my wisdom. But, they had sketches of the amphibian eggs. Very cool!
Your Eastern Phoebes are adorable! Are they as tiny as they look?
4 April 2007 at 2:57 am
I have only seen loons on lakes in central and northern Ontario, never around my home. I didn’t know they had breeding plumage. Gorgeous!
4 April 2007 at 7:47 am
Awesome post Mon@rch! I love the frogs’ eggs – that is one cool photo. And the loon!! How exciting!
4 April 2007 at 10:25 am
There is something about the sound a loon makes that really stirs my imagination. It is so evocative, and even on a sunny day, reminds me of fog. Great pics as always.
4 April 2007 at 2:01 pm
@ Mary – congrats on the Phoebe! That does mean alot!
@ Susan – the are such cool looking birds! I always enjoy coming across them!
@ Liz, they are very tiny birds and sounds like a great book you were reading! I would think it would be hard to sketch those! Must be a good artist!
@ Ruth, we don’t see many in breeding plumage but they do show up from time to time! This one only stuck around for a few days before continuing north!
@ Pam – thanks and I enjoyed the eggs also!
@ Robin – I have had a chance to hear them from time to time! They are such great birds! Thanks!
4 April 2007 at 4:01 pm
I love the photo of the eggs. Intricate detail and each egg in its own little sac. Cool.
4 April 2007 at 4:15 pm
Did you get to hear the loon? What lovely pictures, the loon all decked out, and the eggs were incredible. Thanks!
4 April 2007 at 5:21 pm
@KGMom – thanks and I was happy with it also!
@ Trixie – no and was very happy to see the loon with its tux on!
4 April 2007 at 5:46 pm
Hi! Found you through Rurality…love the pics, especially the loon! And the salamander info was terrific…I’ve always loved their cute faces-remind me of puppies. I’ve found small, blue-spotted ones, and one brown with red stripes in my yard-fun stuff!
5 April 2007 at 2:48 pm
Lisa – thanks for visiting and such kind words! Glad you enjoyed this!
5 April 2007 at 8:45 pm
Wow…gorgeous photos. The close up of the salamander eggs was incredible.
1 June 2008 at 8:37 pm