If you missed the beginning, Part One is HERE
If you click on the pictures, you can see them larger.
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I left the beavers in peace and continued walking. Then, I saw about 30 or more Cedar Waxwings. I was excited to see them at this close range, and was ready for a fantastic photo-op!!! I focused my camera, and then, suddenly two adults with their two kids and two dogs entered this "one person wide" boardwalk and were so loud - yelling up and down the boardwalk and scared the birds away! ARRRRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH! Cedar Waxwings are not a common sighting for me, especially so many, and this close, so this was very disappointing. This was picture the only shot I got before they scattered..
When I realized it was futile to try and take anymore pictures of them, I quickly switched to my little Canon S2 IS, and made this video. By this time, only two birds remained. You can hear the people yelling in the background, and they were already out of sight.
Frustrated, as they carried on with their yelling, which was audible clear across the pond, I decided to wander back toward the car. I spotted these prickly burdock heads that were showing off in the sunlight. .jpg)
I passed by these Wood Ducks. They were very close to me at first, but I guess I scared them away. I do that a lot. ;-) .JPG)
This little Tufted Titmouse was perched in a tree 
This Canada Goose seemed to be watching me as I walked by.jpg)
Swallows were swarming overhead. .
The background sounds in this video are wind and Red-Winged Blackbirds calling
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A Mallard flew across the pond in the distance 
An American Robin chirped high in the treetops 
The sun was going down and casting red highlights on the grass clumps in the water 
A few Mallards were swimming around.jpg)
I passed by one of the Beavers again. He was still chewing on sticks
Back in my car now, and down the road a couple of miles, I took this picture of the waterway that extends over to the pond where the boardwalk is. Right where the water narrows down and darkens, there is usually a beaver dam that extends completely across the channel. It was underwater, due to localized spring flooding. .
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I stopped further down the road when I saw about a half dozen wild turkeys. This one was separated from the rest of them, walking around alone..
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But, Old Tom was very interested, and put on a display of feathers that would win any woman's heart. Methinks spring has sprung and love is in the air..
I'm off to visit my mother today, so I won't be around. Have a great day!
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21 comments:
Love your Cedar Waxwings.
In reply to your question about kayaks and cameras: I carry my body and lens of the day in a waterproof bag, along with my monopod, in the cockpit. The rest goes in my forward bulkhead, which is watertight. In the twelve years I've paddled kayaks I've never come close to a roll. Can't say that about canoeing, which is why once it tried a kayak I immediately sold the canoe. I find them very stable, and very well received by wildlife, because of the low profile in the water. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions, be glad to share whatever i can.
Waxwings are beautiful. I once saw a small flock of them gorge themselves on crabapple flower petals!
Hi Mike, Thanks for the comment and the reply to my question. I've seen those long waterproof bags, but never knew anybody who used them. They seem like they would be a good investment. We used to go canoeing and I have to agree with you about the stability. I just might try kayaking one of these days. My cousin goes kayaking often and loves it.
Good morning, Dave, Thank you. I agree with you about Waxwings. They really are one of our most beautiful birds. It must have been fantastic watching them on that tree. Seeing all those beautiful birds with the pretty flowers must have been quite a scene! I like all the sounds they make, too.
That looks like a neat area to shoot. Uh - and how I would love to get my hands on Waxwings. Never encountered them so far. Good shots as always!
Cheers, Klaus
That one picture of the waxwings is very nice! I never see them here. A very pretty bird! Don't you really hate when people come along and intrude on a quiet walk? You have to wonder why they go to a nature place so they can scare away the nature.
Good morning, Klaus. Thank you. It is a pretty nice place to visit, and this time of year is probably the most active. Sometimes I go there and see lots of things, and at other times I see nothing. Yesterday was one of those days, but I did see some signs of spring, so I left happy.
Hi Mary, Thanks. You're so right about the noisy people. I can't understand why people go there, if they don't care about the nature. They just walk or run right by it without noticing. Yesterday, I stopped at a place and found litter everywhere. They go to a place because it's beautiful, and then throw their trash there, so it's not beautiful anymore? I don't get it.
The shot of the waxwings that you did get is beautiful with the outspread wings. I love them all - the titmouse, the wood ducks, and that amazing beaver! I've just been standing out in the rain, all bummed out because I'm not working today, but I won't be doing much photography either.
We had wax wings here all winter, I know they like fruit, and all I can figure is they were eating russian olive berries.. (Yuck, frozen AND bitter) Thanks for your walk today. Enjoy your visit with you mom..
I would love to see waxwings of any kind, I have been to places over here where they have been reported but never manage to see them, stunning post.
CONGRATULATIONS on the Waxwings.
Fantastic photographs you've got there well done.
Great post. Wonderful photos. I really like the photo of the grass clumps with the sun hitting them. Thanks for sharing your photos.
Loved all the photos. Can I ask what you do with them? Do you use them commercially or is it just a hobby?
Sorry to be so late looking at today's episode. Another winner! I particularly liked the waxwings still and the swallow video, but they are all very good photos! Thanks.
Thank you for this post. I enjoy these outings with you. I always learn something. The shot of the almost open water is lovely.
Lovely blog you have there. I've been finding some wonderful birding blogs today and hope to comment on all of them.
Sandpiper, the waxwing photo was special in spite of the rowdy family. Applaude you! I like coming here nearly everyday to have my nature trip.
I've got really large pollywogs or tadpoles(?) in our garden pond. Each yr they overwinter in there and we have some very nice bullfrogs "homegrown". But! The Great Blue Heron does try to come and snatch them. I gave up having goldfish in there.
Had 2 huge redtail hawks circling over our area today, all the birds were quiet, the hawks calling back and forth, and one circled over my head and I feared it would come at me (after seeing the video about the girl at the baseball stadium!) but I didn't want my cat Tuffy outside then, either.
Cheerio! Bravo!
Hi everyone, It was a very long day today. I went to visit my mother who is in a nursing home/rehab hospital, which is over an hour away. She's been there for over a month and might be released this week. By the time I get over there, visit, run errands, check on her place and get home, the day is gone, so I haven't been on the computer today.
Birdlady, the Waxwings were such a nice surprise. I went back the next day to look for them, but didn't find them anywhere. Maybe I'll have better luck during the week, when people are back at work and kids are in school.
Stacey, You're so lucky to have the waxwings year 'round there. I don't see them often, so it's always a treat.
Hi Mike, I think the waxwings are really beautiful. Keep looking for them. I didn't even know they were in Connecticut until a couple of years ago. Prior to that I had only seen one once before at my house in Charleston, SC.
Hi Anna, Thanks so much. I'm glad you enjoyed the picture and walk.
Hi Travis, Thank you. I like when the long afternoon light turns everything golden like that.
Suzanne, I'm not a photographer - more of a picture taker, but I love nature and walking around, so I take my camera along. It helps me to really notice things that I might otherwise just walk by. I mostly share the pictures with my family and friends and don't do anything with them really. Maybe someday I'll sell some, but right now I'm just learning the camera. Thank you.
Hi Bruce, I'm very late myself today. It can't be helped though sometimes. Thank you.
Hi Crayons, So nice to see you. I'm glad you enjoy the pictures. I have fun sharing them.
Hi Nick, It's nice to meet you. You have a great blog! Your photography is wonderful and I look forward to seeing more. I know what you mean about all the great blogs out there. It's fun exploring and finding them all.
Kylita, Thanks. It sounds like spring is really coming along there. You're way ahead of us here in CT. I saw frogs this weekend, but it's only the first week. Maybe a week or two more before we start seeing the vernal pools really come alive. It sounds like you live in a nature lover's paradise with all that wonderful wildlife.
Thanks again everybody.
If I ever get up your way...I'll be sure to walk with you! Your burdock looked like a bouquet of mini sunflowers. It seems so funny to see beaver - just out in the open and munching. The only waxwing shot you managed sure was a great one -BOTH birds with wings extended and one eating a berry - wow! Thanks!
It drives me crazy when other people come along and spoil something for me. I always try to go off onto paths which people are reluctant to use for this very reason. A lovely post Lin. Thanks for sharing.
Good morning, Bird Girl, Thank you! I'm not always lucky enough to see a lot of creatures out there, so sometimes I have to be satisfied with looking at the scenery and vegetation instead. I would love to live in a place where I could see animal and bird life all around me every time I go out.
Thank you Joan, It's too bad that people forget or don't respect that they are in a place that is set aside for the wildlife. They should be teaching their children that, too.
Well, the photo you got of the Waxwings is a good one! Although they're not uncommon here, I too find them difficult to photograph, as they tend to be high up in distant treetops.
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