I’ve been able to make three trips out the Fort Pickens so far this month. My favorite birds – the Ospreys and the Least Terns – aren’t around yet, but there’s always something. For example:
This is a Merlin. I’ve never seen one before. Beautiful little member of the Hawk family. I’m told it’s a female. Anyhow, she was surveying her hunting territory just inside the front gate at the park. Looks like she had just taken a bath and was drying off in the sun.
And then there was good old Trevor. Jerri and I named him last winter when we were living on the beach. He was a regular visitor to the pond in the middle of our complex.
He’s a big, big Great Blue Heron. And appears to be all ready for breeding season with his feathery regalia and that cool topknot blowing in the breeze.
Down the road, on the beach side, I came upon this group (flock?) of Sandpipers. Just huddled on the beach with their backs turned to the cold north wind.
Every few minutes the ones at the front, who were taking the brunt of the wind, would break away and run to nestle in behind the rest of the gang. Seems fair to me. That beach wind can be brutal!
Down near the fort, on the Sound side, I found this young GBH, just sitting out in the open with his back to the wind. From the size of his topknot I’d say he’s not going to be finding any pretty young things who are interested in him this year.
But he did have one fascinating feature. His foot, the one they curl up and into their feathers while they’re standing on the other leg …
Maybe there’s too much sand on it, and he needs to shake it off before he tucks it into his nice clean feathers. The rest of his entire leg is already nestled up in those feathers somewhere. I’ve always wondered why bird do that – stand on one leg. Any ideas?
I’m using a monopod now, or trying to. Since I recently bought this enormous 200-500mm Nikkor lens, I need all the help I can get. But I’m still so used to hand-holding whatever lens I’m using, I kick the monopod to the side most of the time.
As careful as I plan to be, I just know that I’m going to topple over more than a few times when the nesting season really gets cranking.
Jim McDade, Photographer 