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The Melody of Warbler Road – the Hooded Warbler

Posted by Jim Flowers on August 29, 2019
Posted in: Birding, Birds, Woodland Warblers. Leave a comment

Take a stroll down the “Warbler Road” of south-central Pennsylvania’s Michaux State Forest, and listen to a melody  and perhaps even observe one of its most prolific breeding songbirds,
the Hooded Warbler …

Hooded Warbler male in song…

ou may be disappointed if you do a Google search for a “Warbler Road” in Pennsylvania as it “doesn’t exist”.  However,  you will find a listing for one in the State of Virginia which is actually a series of interconnecting forest roads traveling about 13 miles through the Appalachian Mountains beginning at Milepost 78.4 of the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Sunset Field overlook,  then continuing to its end at the Arcadia Boat launch along the James River’  and all of these roads take on different and original names too.   Like with Virginia,  my Warbler Road,  is just a “pet” name applied to a certain route or routes that traverse favorable and popular breeding habitats for a host of these small and often colorful songbirds.

Hooded Warbler female…

o without further delay,  I will cut to the chase and “note” that “my” Warbler Road is actually Milesburn Road which can be accessed  along PA 233,  north of US30,   and beginning just north of the Caledonia State Park and near the old dam breast of the reclaimed Chambersburg reservoir and travels approximately 7 miles north to its end and the junction with Shippensburg Road.   Once past the popular Long Pine reservoir and junction with Birch Run Road,   Milesburn becomes less traveled and more serene.  Milesburn Road is gravel,  but well maintained most of the year apart from winter periods with heavy snow.

irding and especially avian photography in our state forest system can be a challenge mostly due to the sheer volume of acreage and the dispersion of the different species throughout,  unlike smaller and more condensed woodlands and parks where breeding habitat is limited isolating the birds.  However,  a little time researching the preferred habitat of your targeted species can bring success.

he subject of this post, the Hooded Warbler is no different from other members of the Parulidae family and has it’s favored habitat preferences to include the thick shrubby understory of our eastern forests.   I have also discovered over the years that the Rhododendron thickets along small streams seem to be a favorite within the Michaux State Forest.  “Warbler Road” (Milesburn) presents abundant opportunities for this habitat following a couple of small streams along its route in several areas bordered by the Rhododendron pictured in the image above.

inding the Hooded Warbler,  or any warbler for that matter involves slow attentive walks or driving,  constant listening and a lot of patience.  Once you hear the song,  visually locating the bird is another challenge.  This warbler’s haunts are seemingly always under a heavy forest canopy,  low light and within the thick of things,  and they blend into their surroundings very well.  The trick is to look for any movement within the foliage, even ever so slight,   and to keep your visual scanning “low”.  You will hardly find the Hooded frolicking or foraging more than 10 feet above the ground.

nother interesting thing with the Hooded Warbler,  and like the Ovenbird,  there really isn’t a perfect time of day to catch it in song.   They seem to vocalize throughout the day,  unlike most of the other warblers that tend to favor only the morning hours.  I mentioned “driving” above which is one way I locate many of my avian subjects,  by very slowly creeping along in my Jeep, all windows down and listening.  I’m not sure is this is true or not,  but ironically the sound of gravel under the tires while slowly moving seems to “trigger” a response from this species and perhaps even a few others.   I know this is true with some of the rail species on the gravel roads of some of my favorite wildlife refuges in the south. True or not, I’ve located more birds with this method over time than taking long hikes in the woods.

hotographing warblers or any small bird under a “dark” forest canopy is not an easy chore and can at times be quite frustrating.  It’s truly not a place for “sun worshiping” photographers who complain continuously about the slightest lack of perfect light.   You won’t find a “Golden Hour” here either.  But these conditions do provide a nice layer of “flat” light,  void of any harsh shadows unless a ray of that nasty “sun-stuff” pops through a hole in the canopy which can wreak havoc on the camera’s metering for exposure.

I usually add a very low powered flash just to add a bit of warmth,  slightly highlight  and add a touch of sparkle to my subjects’ eyes.  And I NEVER use any type of flash extender or magnifier whatsoever!   I literally despise the damn things and the effect they have on wildlife and birds at a close range.  The extenders’ only have their place with distant subjects and used properly.  My avian subjects hardly,  if ever notice the gentle pulse of light from my speedlights and they’re never used as a “main light” source.   In fact, most of the folks viewing my images cannot detect any use of flash unless they know exactly what to look for.

arlier this Spring I attempted to capture a small bit of video of the Hooded in full High Definition and with sound of the warbler’s song. This was my first attempt at this and “somehow” I managed to accomplish a “down and dirty” version which I took into Adobe Premiere Pro,  edited and mixed in a bit of eccentric and quirky music to accompany the warbles song.  I must say it was fun!  It’s filmed at 24 frames per second with a shutter-speed double the frame rate at 1/50sec. The ISO was 640 and was shot in C Log for a bit of a cinematic appearance.  Captured with the Canon EOS 7D2 and the Sigma 150-600 Sports lens at 400 mm. Click on the Image below.. It will open a new and separate tab.

he video above should familiarize you with the song of the Hooded Warbler and what to listen for although it may occur with slight variations.  The call is a simple tick – tick – tick.

Other common species found along Milesburn or “Warbler Road” include the Black-throated Blue warbler, Black-throated Green warbler, Worm-eating warbler and Black and White warbler.  I have heard others including the Cerulean warbler near the northern end,  high above along a ridge top but never laid eyes on it.  Besides the warbler’s,  other songbirds include the Scarlet Tanager and the Wood Thrush along with others.  Enjoy your journey down Warbler Road!

Happy Birding and Photography!

“Baby Blues”,,,,, 4 to 6 Inches of Colorful Splendor!

Posted by Jim Flowers on August 24, 2019
Posted in: Blooms. Tagged: Dwarf Violet Iris, Iris Verna, Michaux State Forest, Upland Dwarf Violet Iris. Leave a comment

Growing up in the south and along the Texas Gulf Coastal Plains,  the coming of spring brought a host of colorful wildflowers and one of my favorites of the Iridaceae, (Iris family) and most abundant was the Southern Blue Flag (Iris virginica) or Virginia Iris.   This popular southern iris took on many nicknames by the locals such as the Louisiana Iris and Swamp Iris among many others as well.

In the later years of my life and after relocating father north into the Mid-Atlantic region and southern Pennsylvania,  the Harlequin Blue Flag or Northern Blue Flag, (Iris versicolor) drew my attention.

Little did I realize, and after my interest in “wild” botany grew,  I’d discover a miniature replica of the larger species of these colorful plants.   In fact, viewing these photographs (like the one above) can be deceptive unless you pay close attention to the surroundings and items that may give a reference to the actual size of these tiny wonders.

Ten or so years back,   a close friend and wildflower mentor,  Elmer Schweitzer introduced me to these wonderful tiny plants,  and close to home blooming along a busy road traversing the Michaux State Forest in Cumberland County,  Pennsylvania,

This species lives up to its name,  “Dwarf Violet Iris”  very well and is hardly noticeable while passing by at highway speeds.   Unless you know of their existence,  you’ll really never see them or perhaps just confuse them with the abundant and popular springtime common blue violets found along so many roads,  thus again taking the word “violet” as part of its name.

Again,  referring to “size”,   if you look closely at the image above and within the lower left-hand corner,   you will notice a leaf from a nearby tree.   It lends a good reference to the actual dimensions of this species.  There will be a few more images that can help distinguish this to follow,  so pay attention to the surrounds and detail.

Photographing the Iris Verna in full bloom is a “luck by chance” affair.   The tiny blooms are extremely delicate and susceptible to nature’s elements and even a slight bit of precipitation can foil their appearance and discolor the petals,  so you have to catch them at “just the right time”,  shortly after the bloom is in full and before any rain.

So,  unless you can dedicate the time for daily visits,  and during their “more often not” dependable schedule of bloom,  any quality photography can be a challenge.   I believe I’ve only had opportunities 3 times during the past 10 years, and I’ve had to be choosey as to which ones to photograph.   But this falls in line with many of our wildflower species that are delicate in nature and “short-lived”.   Some are far hardier than others.

Small plants and wildflowers are fun to photograph, and sometimes quite a bit of work that requires a lot of calm and patience.   Above I mentioned catching them at just the right time but failed to mention the conditions needed for successful photography.    With the delicate petals,  the slightest hint of a breeze can and will create havoc,   especially with longer exposures required by the lens being stopped down for maximum depth of field of focus and the desire for somewhat subdued light instead of the harsh sunlight unfavored by most of us who attempt this type of photography.

The Dwarf Violet Iris falls right into the category above and can be a royal pain.   So, you found the perfect bloom and then the wind is blowing and  “The fun begins”!   This type of photography also becomes MACRO (close-up with specialized lenses) in nature and the lack of any movement is critical for success.   So, obscenities under breath are common with the frustration involved, but it’s all in a day’s work!

 

The Iris Verna or Dwarf Violet Iris is broken down into two variations,  one being the Iris verna var. verna or Coastal Plain Dwarf Violet Iris and the other being the Iris verna var. smalliana or Upland Dwarf Violet Iris which are pictured in this post.

The coastal plain dwarf violet iris occurs in the coastal plain and piedmont of the southeastern states from Maryland south to Florida whereas the upland dwarf violet iris occurs in the eastern states from New York south to Georgia, west to east central Mississippi, with scattered populations in the Ouachita mountains of Arkansas and Ozarks of Missouri.   Both are commonly found growing in nutrient poor acidic soils and within semi-shaded mesic to dry woodlands.

“A Special Plant Indeed”,   the Dwarf Violet Iris pictured within this post were photographed here in Pennsylvania and are classified by the USDA legal status for this species as “endangered’’ within this state along with another, Maryland.    A “threatened” classification exists for the state of Ohio.     Notably, over the past years that I have observed and photographed them;   I’ve witnessed a concerning decline in their presence.

At the time I was first introduced to these plants,   there were multiple small patches along about a 3/4-mile segment of this road.    Over time these patches have slowly decreased in volume and some have totally disappeared for reasons unknown to me.   At present,  only a few patches remain within less than a 1/8-mile distance and only near one end of the previous range.

As with most “sensitive species”,   a careful watch is maintained over these plants both by the District Forester and Botanist along with several extension groups from universities and dedicated native and wild plant groups.    During my last photographic outing for this iris,  my time was shared by the District Forester with wonderful conversation and I only wish I would have mentioned my observation of their decline.   Perhaps he might have had some answers.

The Michaux State Forest staff maintains a healthy vigil for these plants with early season mowing to retard growth of brush and invasive plants to help clear the area for a yearly presence of this species with plenty of breathing room and sunlight for their continued existence.

 

My photography of these tiny Iris and the images within this post took place over three different outings with the first in 2014 and followed by two more in 2016 and 2018.  I had attempted several more only to find the plants and blooms tattered by the elements, unpresentable and not worthy of the effort involved except perhaps only documentation purposes.  “But this is Nature Photography in general and at its normal.”

I tend to go “Whole Hog” with my efforts and as I mentioned before will be be quite choosy with the light available and time of day.  I simply despise direct overhead and harsh sunlight,  and much prefer a thin overcast sky lessening any unwanted shadows.  I pretty much had these conditions over all three of the outings.   With the flat light,  I may use a very low powered flash as a fill and highlighter with a manual and slightly cool white balance with the picture setting/style in-camera set as flat as possible for maximum dynamic range.

Now that being said, and since I’m shooting RAW,  the in-camera settings are strictly for reference and evaluation of the rear LCD as to exposure and color during the capture and you still have to apply these settings during your post work and perhaps even include more tweaks to curtail over-saturation prevalent with some colors,  especially based on their density or transparency.

I will again stress the importance of the above conditions and the “flat” (neutral) in-camera settings as well as using “evaluative or matrix metering” (matrix for you Nikon people) to meter a wider area instead of simply spot metering one tint.  That also applies to the ETTL  (evaluative through the lens metering) requirement of the flash for the fill.

Finally, I will list the gear I used for these outings and this species to include both the Canon EOS 5D and the Canon EOS 5D III,  Canon EF 100mm f2.8L and Sigma 180mm f 2.8 DG OS MACRO,  Canon 580EX and 430EX Speedlites with diffusion.  Induro CT214 8X carbon fiber tripod and the Really Right Stuff BH 40 Ballhead.  Canon Cable Release remote for triggering the shutter and I want to stress using “mirror-lockup” for eliminating vibration.


Dwarf Violet Iris..     Iris verna, var.smalliana

 

 

 

 

Springtime Along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast (Video)

Posted by Jim Flowers on May 21, 2019
Posted in: Birding, Birds, Coastal Birds, Travel. Leave a comment

New Video,   Click the Image below to view via You Tube

Filmed along the upper Texas and western Louisiana Gulf Coast,Spring  2019

 

In search of “Maggie May” … Woodland Warblers 3

Posted by Jim Flowers on February 16, 2018
Posted in: Birding, Birds, Travel, Woodland Warblers. Tagged: Dolly Sods Wilderness, Magnolia Warbler. 8 Comments

Magnolia Warbler,  Setophaga magnolia
Dolly Sods Wilderness,  West Virginia

everal years back while photographing spring wildflowers and exploring one of my favorite mountain ecosystems along the Appalachian chain,  West Virginia’s Dolly Sods,  I kept hearing the song of the Magnolia warbler at just about all my stops along the gravel road  that traverses the area through the stands of the wind-swept stunted Red Spruce to my amazement..  This was long before I did some research to discover their favored breeding habitat extended farther south than I had realized.  I had seen many wearing their dull colors during the fall migration, even right near my home and the Hanover Watershed WMA along the Maryland and Pennsylvania state line.


Magnolia Warbler, Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia

hotographing a Magnolia warbler in breeding plumage had been a long-time quest and I thought I’d have to travel much farther north to accomplish it.  I found quite a colony of them during that outing and luckily I had the gear along to capture a few images.  I  have since made quite a few trips to Dolly Sods fully dedicated to capturing images of this beautiful tiny bird.

he Dolly Sods Wilderness sits along the Allegheny Plateau and within the Monongahela National Forest with elevations ranging from 2,000 to well over 4,000 feet MSL and is monitored by the Potomac Ranger District.   Access can be difficult at times,  especially during foul weather and only by steep and sometimes rough gravel forest roads.  Good trip planning with attention to the weather is a “must” during the early spring and late fall.  It can be raining in the valley and snowing up in the Sods. The area is closed during the winter months to travel.

There are several ways to get to Dolly Sods, depending on where you’re travelling from:

From Petersburg, WV: Follow State Route 42 north to Jordan Run Road. Turn left onto Jordan Run Road and proceed approximately five miles to Forest Road 75. Turn right and go four miles to the Dolly Sods Scenic Area.

Follow State Route 28 and 55 south to Jordan Run Road. Turn right and go one mile on Jordan Run Road to Forest Road 19. Turn left and follow Forest Road 19 six miles to the Dolly Sods Scenic Area.

From Canaan Valley, WV: Follow Route 32 south to the Laneville Road. Turn left and follow the Laneville Road ten miles to the Dolly Sods Scenic Area. Before reaching the Scenic Area, the road passes several trail-heads and the Dolly Sods Picnic Area.


Magnolia Warbler In Song, Dolly Sods Wilderness,   Listen Below:
https://birdsandblooms.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/xc135072-magnolia-warbler-setophaga-magnolia.mp3

ronically, this warbler is seldom found in a Magnolia tree despite its name.  Ornithologist Alexander Wilson, who had collected a specimen in 1810 from a Mississippi Magnolia,  originally gave the bird the English name “Black-and-yellow Warbler” and “Magnolia” was used for the Latin species name,  but “Magnolia” stuck as the English name as well from then on.  The Magnolia is sometimes referred to as the “Spruce Warbler’ after its preferred nesting habitat which could have been a better name for the choosing,  and like the Bay-breasted, Canada, Blackpoll, and Blackburnian Warblers, will take advantage of the periodic outbreaks of spruce budworms on its breeding grounds.


Magnolia Warbler, Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia

he Magnolia isn’t the only warbler that can create a bit of confusion by its name and like many other warblers during their fall migration, can show up about anywhere along their route in habitat completely unrelated to their spring and nesting preferences.  During the breeding season the heaviest population occurs within the Boreal forest regions of Canada and breeding populations decrease farther south and through the higher elevations of the Appalachian Mountains presenting their desired habitat. Click here  for a map and animation of distribution and abundance throughout the year compliments of Cornell.


Magnolia Warbler, Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia

inding the Magnolia Warbler in the Dolly Sods Wilderness is not a difficult chore,  even from along the narrow gravel road along the ridge top and where the majority of these images were captured.  It’s a simple game of “stop often, get out and listen” among the Red Spruce stands,  especially the more isolated ones.  The most difficult part is spotting them within the thick needles of the spruce and they prefer to be close to the trunk of the tree. While in the open, their vivid color of yellow and black streaking on their breasts doesn’t help much on a bright sunny morning because the lower light angle can paint the needles a yellow glow helping to camouflage the birds at the same time, blending them right into the habitat.


Magnolia Warbler, Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia

owever,  a nice bright overcast or obscured sky will add the touch of greenish-blue to the needles and make this warbler stand out.  Another spoiler for locating this warbler can be the wind muting their song and the Sod’s can get quite a stiff fresh breeze on occasion simply due to the higher altitude above the nearby ranges.  The trick is patience and keeping an eye peeled for movement within the needles,  near the song and/or while foraging.   Warblers hardly sit still for any extended period of time.

racking a foraging tiny warbler as pictured above and below through the spruce thickets and needles can be a “hair-pulling” experience,  especially with a long telephoto prime lens and its narrow field of view.  You often must take your eye from the viewfinder to relocate the bird as it disappears and reappears within the foliage,  frequently missing excellent captures of behavior.  Another issue with the long prime telephoto lens is the minimum focusing distance is much greater and the bird may move too close and cause a failure with focus.


Magnolia Warbler, Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia

made the switch to a zoom lens a few years back for small bird photography from a big and heavy Canon 400 f2.8 prime lens to the Sigma 150-600 Sports lens.  It’s nice to have the often-needed extra focal length of 600 millimeters over the 400 and without the use of a teleconverter that can degrade the image quality somewhat and steal precious light,  and I can quickly zoom in and out without taking my eyes from the viewfinder to follow the bird on most occasions.

I will also gloat about the ingenuity of Sigma to offer their USB dock to further customize the lens to different shooting situations,  especially the ability to set a range of focus for a given situation over the generic choices.  It’s a simple flick of a switch and I’m there and it eliminates the “focus hunting” prevalent with some lenses, especially zooms.


Magnolia Warbler, Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia

 


Magnolia Warbler, Fall Migration
Hanover Watershed WMA, Carroll County, MD

uring the fall migration and much closer to home, “only 5 minutes away”,  the Hanover Watershed WMA has proven to be a productive location year after year for the Magnolia and many other warblers on their journey to the wintering grounds,  and especially during “fall outs” due to inclement weather or unfavorable high winds.  The tall pines offer protection and an abundant food source.  The watershed is comprised of a Wildlife Management Area (MD) and adjoining tree farms belonging to the PH Glatfelter Pulp Wood company (PA).  All of the property is posted, and any birding/photography can be done from the small and often less traveled gravel roads through the property. The watershed skirts the Mason-Dixon Line and sits in both the states of Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Magnolia Warbler, Fall Migration
Hanover Watershed WMA, Carroll County, MD

igrating Warblers,  both during Spring and Fall,  can be non-habitat specific until reaching their breeding or wintering grounds and can be found just about anywhere along their routes of travel resting and feeding.  However,  I have documented certain locations and “stops” they tend to favor and seem to be productive over the years for both photography and simple observation of a variety of species.   I’ve begun to spend as much time with the binoculars as I do the camera in hand and find both equally rewarding.

Magnolia Warbler, Fall Migration
Hanover Watershed WMA, Carroll County, MD

y list of “nemesis” warblers has been shrinking over the past few years, but I still have many that I only see during the fall in less glamorous apparel.  I look forward to more travel to try to accomplish my goals here in the future and have a quest to fill this blog with the many species especially here on the eastern seaboard as well as a few in my home state of Texas.  Birding and Avian Photography can be a lifetime journey…


“Maggie May”,  Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia

 

“Fish Hawk” the Osprey …

Posted by Jim Flowers on January 9, 2018
Posted in: Birding, Birds, North American Raptors, Raptors. Tagged: Black Rock Flats, Codorus State Park, Lake Marburg, Osprey. 6 Comments

Osprey  Pandion haliaetus
Port Bolivar,  Galveston County,  Texas

One of America’s favorite and most unique raptors, the Osprey,  Pandion haliaetus can be found along our coastal plains and well inland on larger streams and lakes throughout the continental United States, south into Central America and South America where they winter and well into the Canadian Provinces during the summer and breeding months.  “Unique” describes their favored food of live fish and the ability to fly high above a body of water,  spot their prey,  begin a short hover,  then rapidly dive and catch their meal with their razor sharp talons, and then again launch themselves airborne and retreat to a safe place to consume their bounty.

The visual spectacle of the Osprey fishing is as gratifying to the observer as their meal is to them.  As an avian photographer,  capturing this activity is fun and exhilarating and requires a bit of skill.  The perched pose of the title image above was captured on a chilly foggy December morning near the Galveston Island Ferry landing, Bolivar Peninsula side, along the upper Texas Gulf Coast.

Osprey,   Fowler Beach,  Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge,  Delaware

“Camera Ham” would be a good description of the bird above as he or she was more than willing to pose for me while preening,  sitting atop a refuge boundary sign along Fowler Beach road within the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware.  The preening halted on various occasions long enough to give the “once-over” and make sure I wasn’t getting closer.  I often use my vehicle as a “hide” for  photography which seems to offer more security to my avian subjects.  I keep my movements to a bare minimum inside while resting the camera and big lens on a bean bag from the vehicle window for maximum stability.

Most of you who visit our National Wildlife Refuges regularly will more than likely notice various vehicles with these bags protruding from their windows .  This type of shooting is a favorite practice of many of the “refuge cruisers”,  in fact some refuges prefer that occupants remain in their cars to keep any disturbance of birds and wildlife to a minimum.

Osprey,   Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge,   New Jersey

The Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge,  just outside of Atlantic City New Jersey is a wonderful location to get fairly close to these raptors for nice full frame captures with a 500 to 600-millimeter telephoto lens.  The Osprey above perched very close to the levee drive on a ragged snag and I was rewarded by having a tele-zoom lens to capture him at only 400 millimeters and fill the frame with a nice composition. “He or she was just that close” …

The levee drive forms a squared-off circle that extends into the bay with fresh water inside and coastal brackish water on the outside.  There are numerous Osprey nesting platforms along the route both near the drive and well out into the marsh giving one numerous opportunities for viewing and photographing these beautiful raptors and especially with their young during the summer nesting and breeding season as pictured below with a youngster giving his parent a piece of his mind.  Perhaps he was hungry and was begging for a meal.

Osprey Juvenile and Parent,   Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge,   New Jersey

 

Photographing this beautiful raptor in flight is a pure joy and a rush of adrenaline for any avian photographer.  Just like the eagle,  the path of flight while fishing can be erratic with unpredictable turns and gains or losses in altitude very quickly.  However with the Osprey, the dive for the catch is usually preceded by a very short hover which allows some opportunity to key in on the bird before it’s plunge into the water below.

Capturing the actual plunge and initial contact with the water is the “grand prize” and something I have yet to accomplish with any quality to the image,  but I plan to keep working on it.  Even with the fastest of lenses and cameras,  good support and a quality gimbal head,  it’s a challenging task. “One of these days” I hope to capture this sequence!

During the late summer of last year, 2017 I met up with a group of friends and made some new ones during several weekends at the Black Rock Flats area of Lake Marburg, which is the main attraction of Codorus State Park located in York County Pennsylvania and only 10 minutes from my home.  My primary draw was to photograph migrating shorebirds, and little did I know that I was in for some of my best opportunities to photograph the resident Osprey’s in flight.  One weekend yielded some wonderful clear blue skies and lovely late afternoon sun light with just the right angles for excellent highlight and shadow detail on both the birds and their under-wings during flight.

“In Your Face”,  Lake Marburg,  Codorus State Park,  York County,  Pennsylvania

The image above is amazing as it shows this raptors geometry with it’s small head, larger body and massive wingspan.  There is zero distortion here as it was photographed with a 600-millimeter telephoto zoom lens, as were the majority of these images, and with the Sigma 150-600mm Sports on the Canon EOS 7D Mark II body. The bird was coming straight at me at a high rate of speed as it banked in a turn,  and astounded me that the auto-focus and servo drive of the camera and lens performed flawlessly.

“The Rocket Pass”  Lake Marburg,  Codorus State Park,  York County,  Pennsylvania

Above is a beautiful view of the top of the body, wings and tail with the feather patterns highlighted and washed by lovely light.   It pays to shoot late in the day with low sun angles,  which this location presented.  As a photographer who primarily shoots small songbirds,  and normally under a dark forest canopy dependent a lot of the time on artificial light for color and fill,  this was a treat!

“Physics of Flight”  Lake Marburg, Codorus State Park, York County,  Pennsylvania

Just beginning a shallow left turn above, the Osprey lowers the leading wing into the turn creating an interesting visual perspective and view of the wings underside and tight feather detail.

“The Hover”  Lake Marburg,  Codorus State Park,  York County,  Pennsylvania

Photographing birds from behind or flying away on rare occasions can provide some interesting alternative views and perspectives.  The image above captures this Osprey in its short hover before performing the dive to capture a meal.  Close inspection provides the intricate feather detail of the trailing wing and tail surfaces and how each feather seems to work independently for stability as well as presenting some nice highlights from the light.

“Before the Plunge”  Lake Marburg,  Codorus State Park,  York County,  Pennsylvania

Above, our Osprey has spotted his quarry during its hover and is preparing to begin the almost vertical dive to make the catch. This is the moment for the photographer to key on the bird and follow the decent,  and “I say this laughingly with a wink and a grin” as I always loose the bird during this process.

 

Below is a 4 shot-sequence of the impact, catch and retreat with a nice fat Gizzard shad for a meal. I find it amazing watching the recovery and launch of this raptor after the dive and catch which would leave me stunned to say the least. It’s truly a spectacle to witness.



“The Catch and Retreat”  Lake Marburg,  Codorus State Park,  York County,  Pennsylvania

Photographing this beautiful raptor is a pure joy and again I’d like to again bring notice to Codorus State Park, Lake Marburg and especially the Black Rock Flats location at the western end of the lake.  This area has always been productive for migrating shorebirds not common to our area as well as a very friendly and seemingly tame Green Heron that humorously entertained our little group for days on end with his feeding antics and behavior.

The area was brought to my attention by a good friend Karen Lippy who meticulously keeps a constant vigil on our resident eagles “on a daily basis” and who’s smile always provides warmth on the coldest of Pennsylvania days.  Karen has published several books on the lives and times of the Codorus Eagles which are suitable for all ages.

Black Rock Flats offers plenty of parking in an intimate area of the park and lake,  close to the water so it’s a wonderful spot to bring your photographic gear,  spotting scopes and lawn chairs for a relaxing and fun day afield.  The success of your day will depend on the water levels of Lake Marburg which can fluctuate greatly in the drier periods of our seasons.  Good winter snowfall amounts, and/or abundant springtime rainfall will assure good levels for summer photography and bird observations.  However,  receding water levels and exposing of the flats can be productive as well, especially for the migrating shorebirds passing through late summer into fall.

The park does maintain a set of rules and make sure to park only on the designated gravel areas and stay off the flats for your own safety.  The surface can look deceptively dry,  but can swallow you up to your waist in mud.  There are normally signs posted warning of this.  The area is monitored by rangers making spot checks regularly.  There is ample space for setting up gear for your photography or bird viewing close enough along the shoreline.  You can almost count on the “regulars” being there during the spring, summer and fall and they are always welcoming to new friends who share their interests.   I’d like to personally invite new folks to experience this area and the fun to be had!

 

Bog Life

Posted by Jim Flowers on November 10, 2017
Posted in: Blooms, Travel. Leave a comment

Rose Pogonia or Snake-mouth Orchid,  Pogonia ophioglossoides  (above, left and below)    Webb’s Mill Bog,  New Jersey Pinelands

The wonders of nature will forever inspire one’s curiosity and exploring the world of Bogs,  Fens and Pocosins will add a whole new chapter of discovery for the aspiring naturalist and those who enjoy the passion of native plant and wildflower photography.  Planet Earth is blessed with a vast variety of ecosystems and each offers diversity and intrigue.

I will begin my “imagery” with the Orchid Family,  along with a short narrative outlining these fascinating ecosystems.  My exploration of these delicate habitats will remain a “work in progress” and I have “by no means” completed my study nor the photography of all species of bog-related flora,  so as the years progress,  I will update this post as I go along…  The underlined gold text will provide links to more information on a subject or location.

Throughout my years of photographing nature I’ve always had a special interest in our wetland habitats,  along with the plants, birds and animals that call them home.    Growing up in the south,  I spent a lot of time exploring swamps and coastal marshes and have continued my adventures in the like-wise habitats of the Mid-Atlantic states and beyond,  but mostly for the song birds and raptors that breed or winter in this region.  Several years back I developed an interest in the glacial wetlands of the Appalachian chain as well as the bogs and fens of the coastal plains;  primarily in search of,  and to photograph the colorful wild orchids that  inhabit these ecosystems.

are by far some of North America’s most unique wetlands and are distinguished by spongy peat deposits,  highly acidic waters and a thick carpeted floor of sphagnum moss resulting in a wetland ecosystem with a very specialized and unique flora that can only grow in these conditions called acidophiles.  Northern bogs are primarily associated with lower temperatures and shorter growing seasons along with abundant precipitation and high humidity allowing excessive moisture to accumulate and stand rather than from runoff, groundwater or streams.

The majority of bogs in the United States are found in the glaciated Northeast and Great Lakes regions.  Northern bogs will often form in older glacial lakes,  some with considerable amounts of open water surrounded by floating vegetation or the vegetation may have filled the lake completely,  known as “terrestrialization”.   The flora of the northern bog can consist of Cotton Grass,  Cranberry,  Blueberry,  Pine,  Labrador Tea,  Tamarack,  an assortment of wild orchids and a host of other native plant, shrub and tree species adaptable to the conditions.


Rose Pogonia Orchid,  Pogonia ophioglossoides
Webb’s Mill Bog,  New Jersey Pinelands

Bogs farther to the southeast are known as Pocosins, a word derived from the Algonquin Native American word for “swamp on a hill.”   These consist of evergreen shrub bogs found on the coastal plains from Virginia to Florida,  although most are common to North Carolina.

are found within broad,  flat,
upland areas,  far from large 
streams,  and like northern
bogs  are “ombrotrophic”,  meaning rain provides most of their water,  and like the bogs farther north,  pocosins are found on waterlogged, nutrient poor and acidic soils.
The soil itself is a mixture of peat and sand containing substantial amounts of charcoal from periodic burnings.  These natural fires occur because pocosins periodically become very dry in the spring or summer.  The fires are ecologically important because they increase the diversity of shrub types in pocosins.  The most common plants are evergreen trees that include the Loblolly Bay,  Red Bay and Sweet Bay,  along with evergreen shrubs such as the titi,  fetterbush and Zenobia.

The endangered Venus Flytrap,  Dionaea muscipula ,
is also found in the pocosin.

like bogs were formed when the glaciers retreated and became peat-forming wetlands that receive nutrients from sources other than precipitation;  usually from small stream sources through drainage from surrounding mineral soils and from groundwater movement.  Fens differ from bogs because they are less acidic and have higher nutrient levels.  Fens can support a much more diverse plant and animal community.  These ecosystems are often covered by grasses,  sedges,  rushes and wildflowers and take on a meadow appearance.  Over time,  peat may build up and separate the fen from its groundwater supply.  When this happens,  the fen receives fewer nutrients and may become a bog.

Grass Pink Orchid,  Calopogon tuberosus, (above and above right)   Valmont Bog Sanctuary,  Luzerne County,  Pennsylvania

Finally …   Bogs,  Fens and Pocosins are not the only habitats where you can experience “bog-specific” flora.   Acidic small mountain streams,  seeps and some fresh-water wetlands can play host to some of the plant species that are found in and around the above noted,  and more pronounced bog ecosystems.

Grass Pink Orchid,   Webb’s Mill Bog,  New Jersey Pinelands,

As I mentioned above,  wild orchids are my passion and spurred my interest to pursue the world of wildflower photography.  I will continue with a few other favorites of this  family before exploring the other plant species related to bogs and bog-like ecosystems.  There are so many orchids I have yet to see,  more-less photograph,  that I could spend a lifetime following my quest.  Many are at distant locations,  so my adventures will be many.

You may notice that I will not give the “exact” location of the orchids I find and photograph simply because so many fall victims to poaching which has become somewhat of a lucrative business for some of the thieves out there.  However,  I will make note of a few bogs that are well-known to the public and that are under scrupulous supervision by notable organizations.  Otherwise I will just generalize as to state and county or geographical locations and it will be up to others to put in the time, effort and exploration to reap the rewards.  Many will find that more gratifying anyway.

White Fringed Bog Orchid  Platanthera blephariglottis  New Jersey Pinelands

Besides the Rose Pogonia and the Grass Pink orchids pictured above and gracing my bog ecosystem narrative,  two more of my favorites   (Well, “they’re all my favorites”)  include the White Fringed  Bog orchid and the Yellow or Orange Fringed Bog orchid pictured directly above and below.

The White Fringed can be found within wet or peaty areas alongside a few of the roadways traversing the New Jersey Pine Barrens and are often overlooked by most travelers.   The Yellow Fringed pictured here grows in a “Top Secret” spot shared by a friend,  but can also be found in the Valmont Bog Sanctuary in Luzerne County Pennsylvania and many other locations.

Yellow or Orange Fringed Bog Orchid,  Platanthera ciliaris,  Dauphin County,  Pennsylvania

Exploring the small “bog-like” ecosystems of the forests along the Appalachian front can offer amazing discoveries for those in search of fun and mysterious plant life.  I have dedicated a much of my time over the past few years to the Michaux State Forest,  close to home,  and just west of the historic town of Gettysburg Pennsylvania.  Michaux encompasses more than 85,500 acres,  hosted by the three counties of Adams, Cumberland and Franklin,  and borders the state of Maryland to the south.  Michaux was named for the French botanist,  Andre Michaux,  who discovered and named many plants in the 18th century.  Michaux is just a small part of Pennsylvania’s 2.2-million-acre state forest system which is one the largest certified forest systems in North America.

The Michaux State Forest is home to a variety of “wild orchids” occupying various habitats,  but one of my favorites,  and discovered by a friend and co-administrator of our “Strictly Wildflowers”  Facebook page,  Merry Stinson,  is the Loesel’s Wide Lipped Orchid (Liparis loeselii).  Merry,  like myself,  spends a great deal of time exploring the Michaux forest floor and wetlands for new and interesting wildflowers and plant-life.  This was an exciting find for her and I missed the bloom but located the seed pods.  I returned to the spot this summer to see and photograph the bloom of this species and found quite a few new plants in the immediate area.


Loesel’s Wide Lipped Orchid or Loselii’s Twayblade Orchid, Liparis loeselii,
(above and above left) Michaux State Forest,  Adams County,  Pennsylvania

Another “special” find for me within this forest,  and the year before but in a distant spot,  was the Little Club Spur Bog Orchid, or Small Wood Orchid (Platanthera clavellata) which coincidentally was discovered and named by the French botanist,  Andre Michaux.  I thought to myself,  what an appropriate discovery in this forest bearing his name.  This find was totally by accident while exploring a series of seeps looking for amphibians.   I noticed a tiny blooming plant near the edge of one of the seeps then found more as I continued to explore.  I located about a half
dozen scattered throughout the area.

Quite a few members of the orchid family blend neatly into their surroundings and can be difficult to notice at first glance and are very often overlooked.  Then you add the tiny size of some and the chore becomes even more difficult.  Many are of the “Plain Jane” variety,  being less colorful and simple unlike other family members with their “showy” attitudes and attributes.  Keeping a means of reference at hand,  or nearby is almost a necessity.  I keep printed guides in my vehicle always and digital references on my smart-phone.  When I first spotted this little gem,   I  had no idea what it was.  The leaf pattern was a tell-tale and a place to begin.  With a few seconds of research,  identification was a breeze.   It’s always rewarding when you find something new.

Little Club Spur Bog Orchid,  Platanthera clavellata, (above and above right)
Michaux State Forest,  Cumberland County,  Pennsylvania

Other Orchids around and near the Bog environment:  There are a host of orchid species that can be found close to bogs, fens and the bog-like habitats throughout the country and the list is numerous.

Below,   I thought I would include three I found in the Michaux State Forest as an example.  From left to right below is the Cypripedium acaule, Moccasin flower or Pink Lady’s Slipper orchid … Platanthera orbiculate, Large Round-leaved orchid … and Spiranthes cernua L., Nodding ladies’ tresses orchid.

From left to right … Pink Lady’s Slipper Orchid,  Cypripedium acaule …
Large Round-leaved Orchid,   Platanthera orbiculate …
Nodding ladies’ tresses Orchid,  Spiranthes cernua L.
Michaux State Forest,  Pennsylvania

 

The Princess and the Gladiators
Purple Pitcher Plant flowers,  Sarracenia purpurea
and the Rose Pogonia Orchid,  Pogonia ophioglossoides
Webb’s Mill Bog,  New Jersey Pinelands

Besides the Orchids,  Carnivorous plants are by far my favorites of the bogs and other bog-like ecosystems.  The “Meat Eaters” of the plant world are full of mystery and can spur one’s imagination. I recall the first time I saw North American Pitcher plants, (Sarracenia)  I was totally fascinated by their existence and baffled by their appearance.  After a bit of research,  I found it amazing how the beautiful pitcher-shaped traps are actually intricate natural adaptations to capture and digest insects in order to uptake minerals otherwise lacking in soil.

Purple Pitcher Plant,  Sarracenia purpurea
Spruce Flats Bog,  Laurel Summit State Park
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

There are 8 distinct species of the North American Pitcher Plant,  but literally hundreds of cultivars, variations, hybrids, and subspecies.  The primary eight include,  purple pitcher plants (Sarracenia purpurea),  yellow trumpet plants (Sarracenia flava),  sweet trumpets (Sarracenia rubra),  pale trumpets (Sarracenia alata),  white trumpets (Sarracenia leucophylla),  mountain trumpets (Sarracenia oreophila),  hooded pitcher plants (Sarracenia minor),  and parrot pitcher plants (Sarracenia psittacina)  …

Purple Pitcher Plant,  Sarracenia purpurea
Webb’s Mill Bog, New Jersey Pinelands

Unlike some of the other carnivorous plants that trap their prey by movement and closing in upon them,  or using sticky substances to literally glue an unsuspecting insect to their grasp and dissolving them,  the pitcher plant uses the passive “pit-fall” method as the insect simply falls into the trap and become lunch.  The trapping mechanisms vary across the 8 species of Sarracenia, but all leverage the same passive means of catching prey.

Purple Pitcher Plant Flower,  Sarracenia purpurea
Webb’s Mill Bog,  New Jersey Pinelands

The Sundews,  (Drosera) are the “fly-papers” of the carnivorous plant world.   It was neat to discover that during 1791 Erasmus Darwin,  Charles Darwin’s grandfather,  had decided that the dew on this plant was a means of protection from predators.  He was quite wrong with his conclusion.  Later that same year,  William Bartram discovered quite the opposite, and decided that the dew was a means of attracting and purposefully capturing insects.  Later observations from a German botanist,  Dr. W. A. Roth concluded that the tentacles actually moved to increase surface area relative to an insect’s body.  It was finally Charles Darwin himself to acknowledge the carnivorous nature of Drosera in his 1875 book Insectivorous Plants wherein he primarily studied Drosera rotundifolia.  I will begin with a couple of photographs of the subject of Darwin’s study.

Round-leaf Sundew,  Drosera rotundifolia
Valmont Bog
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania

Finding “tiny” Sundews is always fun,  and one must be seriously looking for them to see them.  Unless you find a large patch, the Round-leaf sundew is very hard to notice in its environment and can be well hidden from sight and obscured by the mosses and other growth.  I had been photographing a Grass Pink orchid at the Valmont bog and incredibly by accident happened to notice the pair above.  They were the only two in this spot,  in fact the only two that I noticed at this bog,  but realized there were most likely many others.

Round-leaf Sundew,  Drosera rotundifolia
Michaux State Forest, Pennsylvania

If you look closely at the Round-leaf sundew above,  you can see how the tentacles have moved to capture an ant.  This was just one of a large patch I found along a small stream in the Michaux State Forest,  here in Pennsylvania near my home,  and ants seemed to be their primary food source as many had their remains still visible.  Photographing this tiny plant is a real chore and a good exercise in MACRO photography,  not to mention sometimes physically demanding on the old photographer kneeling in a cold mountain stream for an extended period of time to get the picture/s.

Thread-leaved Sundew,  Drosera filiformis
Webb’s Mill Bog, New Jersey Pinelands

Two of the most prevalent and numerous sundews in the New Jersey Pineland bogs,  and especially the Webb’s Mill Bog in Ocean County,  are the Thread-leaved Sundew (Drosera filiformis) and Spatulate-leaved Sundew (Drosera intermedia).  Both are considerably larger than the Round-leaf sundew and by far easier to spot among the other plant-life attempting to obscure their presence.  The Thread-leaved (pictured above) is my favorite of the two,  especially during its bloom,  (pictured left) with it’s magenta or lavender rose like flower.  The Thread-leaved Sundew can only be found as a “native” species in 9 eastern states and the Nova Scotia province of the Canada Maritime’s.  Four states have given it special status with being listed as of special concern in Connecticut,  rare in New York,  historical in Rhode Island and endangered in Florida.  The species farther south in North Carolina and Florida have been re-classified by some botanists as a separate sub-species known as Drosera tracyi..  Droseraceae (Sundew Family) is one of the largest genera of the carnivorous plants with at least over 194 known species including the Spatulate-leaved or Spoonleaf Sundew (Drosera intermedia) pictured below.  I have “only begun” exploring and photographing this family of plants.

Spoonleaf Sundew, Drosera intermedia
Webb’s Mill Bog, New Jersey Pinelands

Another “standout” of the Sundew family is the Spoonleaf,   or Spatulate-leaved Sundew pictured above and below,  which is considerably more common than the Thread-leaved presented above. It can be found in over 30 states from the Midwest east and south to Texas,  and 5 Canadian provinces.  Another favorite on my visits to the Webb’s Mill Bog in the New Jersey Pine Barrens and Ocean County.

Spoonleaf or  Spatulate-leaved Sundew,  Drosera intermedia
Webb’s Mill Bog, New Jersey Pinelands

Horned bladderwort,  Utricularia cornuta (above and right)
Webb’s Mill Bog,  New Jersey Pinelands

One of the most interesting, as well as the largest genus of carnivorous plants with more than 228 species and the most geographically widespread is the bladderwort /or Utricularia.  Back in 1797,  English botanist James Sowerby assumed the bladders on these aquatic plants were possibly a means of flotation and the number of bugs within the bladders were simply lodging there.  There were numerous studies of bladderworts during the mid-1800’s,  but not until the early 20th century did botanists assume the true carnivorous nature of this genus.  It was during 1942 that the American botanist Francis Ernest Lloyd first described the luring, trapping, and digesting nature of these silent killers.

One of my favorites,  as well as the safest and easiest places to get around to see and photograph the Horned bladderwort,  is the Webb’s Mill Bog in Ocean County New Jersey and the Pine Barrens.  The circular boardwalk through the bog allows ample access without disturbing its sensitive ecosystem.  The plants are numerous and can create a sea of yellow on the bog floor.  The Horned bladderwort differs from many of the other bladderworts in being terrestrial instead of aquatic,  although it may occasionally become submerged.  I’ve seen them in both the exposed muddy/sandy bottoms or in very shallow flooded spots within this bog and others in the Barrens.

The Humped bladderwort or Conespur bladderpod (Utricularia gibba L.) pictured below is another from the Webb’s Mill Bog,  but is a bit less numerous as the Horned,  and like the others of this genus,  consumes its prey in the same manner.  Again, there are so many members of this genus and I hope to observe and photograph many more in the future.   This will be a “life-long” project.

Humped bladderwort,  Utricularia gibba
Webb’s Mill Bog,   New Jersey Pinelands

 

 

Bog Asphodel, Yellow Asphodel,  Narthecium americanum
Webb’s Mill Bog,  New Jersey Pinelands

My special draw to the state of New Jersey and the bogs of the Pine Barrens began with a longing desire to see and photograph a beautiful, rare and endangered species of plant, the Bog Asphodel.    Britannica’s definition of “Asphodel” is any of several flowering plants belonging to the family Asphodelaceae.  It is a variously applied and thus much misunderstood common name. The asphodel of the poets is often a narcissus; that of the ancients is either of two genera, Asphodeline or Asphodelus, containing numerous species in the Mediterranean region.

The Bog or Yellow Asphodel,  Narthecium americanum and its European relative,  Narthecium ossifragum is not an asphodel,  although it was once thought to be a miniature version of one,  but rather a member of the Lily Family, Liliaceae.  In the past,  the Bog Asphodel could only be found in four eastern states that included New Jersey, Delaware, South Carolina and North Carolina,  but is now believed to be extirpated in all but one,  New Jersey and its pine land bogs and is threatened there as well.  It’s well worth a trip to the state and to visit it’s bogs to catch a glimpse of this lovely species before it disappears.

 

White beaksedge,   Rhynchospora alba
Webb’s Mill Bog, New Jersey Pinelands

A unique family of plants in and around the bog ecosystem are the Sedges or Cyperaceae,  and they are numerous.   The Webb’s Mill Bog alone includes such species as Bulbostylis capillaris (densetuft hairsedge),  Carex exilis (coastal sedge),  Carex striata (Walter’s sedge),  Cyperus dentatus (toothed flatsedge),  Dulichium arundinaceum (three-way sedge),  Eleocharis tuberculosas (spikerush) ,  Rhynchospora fusca (brown beaksedge),  Rhynchospora pallida (pale beaksedge)  and the Rhynchospora alba (white beaksedge) pictured above and below, “just to name a few”… Then another from the Dolly Sods Wilderness in West Virginia is Eriophorum virginicum (Tawny cottongrass).   I should mention that I am just beginning my study and photography of the Sedges so look forward to updates to this post in the future.

White beaksedge,   Rhynchospora alba
Webb’s Mill Bog, New Jersey Pinelands

White beaksedge,  Rhynchospora alba is a common sedge of the open and acidic soils of peatlands, fens, bogs, and conifer swamps and often forms colonies.  The whitish spike-lets of the flowers draw quite the attention.  When flowering, Tawny Cottongrass,  Eriophorum virginicum (pictured below) can bear a close resemblance,  but is distinguished by longer and broader leaf-like bracts, the longest 4+ inches, and more strongly 3-sided stems especially the upper stem.

Tawny Cottongrass,  Eriophorum virginicum
Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia

 

Littleleaf or Short-leaved Milkwort,  Polygala brevifolia
Webb’s Mill Bog, New Jersey Pinelands

The polygala genus of the Polygalaceae family is broad and I have my favorites of both the wetland associated plants as well as the ones from the drier environments such as the little “Gaywings” we find in the Michaux State Forest here close to home.  The short-leaved milkwort,  Polygala brevifolia (pictured above and below) is in the northern portion of its range in the New Jersey pinelands and bogs.  It is like the Drum-heads milkwort,  Polygala cruciata,  but Polygala cruciata has larger and more compacted flower heads, with shorter flower stalks to almost sessile to first set of leaves. Another I have yet to photograph is Orange milkwort or Polygala lutea found at the Whites Bog in the nearby Lebanon State Forest.  The Littleleaf or short-leaved milkwort below had been“kissed” by the morning dew…

Littleleaf or Short-leaved Milkwort,  Polygala brevifolia
Webb’s Mill Bog, New Jersey Pinelands

 


Goldencrest,  Lophiola aurea
Webb’s Mill Bog,  New Jersey Pinelands

Another unique plant and inhabitant of the acidic wet soils of bogs and pineland swamps is the Goldencrest,  Lophiola aurea,  a member of the lily family,  although the state of Alabama still list it as Nartheciaceae, or a member of the Bog Asphodel Family.  Lophiola has been in the past classified as three distinct species, Lophiola americana within the New Jersey Pine Barrens and a small isolated population in Delaware,  Lophiola septentrionalis in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and from the pocosins of North Carolina southward as Lophiola aurea.  Today, most botanist consider this plant as one species, Lophiola aurea.  Excluding Nova Scotia,  the plants range includes New Jersey as it’s northern most point and then continuing south to Florida and slightly west to the state of Louisiana,  excluding Maryland, Virginia and South Carolina.  Goldencrest is quite plentiful and can easily be seen within the Webb’s Mill Bog in the New Jersey Pine Barrens.


Goldencrest,  Lophiola aurea
Webb’s Mill Bog,  New Jersey Pinelands

 


Lanceleaf rose gentian,  Sabatia difformis
Webb’s Mill Bog, New Jersey Pinelands

I find the Gentian family fascinating and the Lanceleaf rose gentian,  Sabatia difformis (pictured above and below) is just one of about 20 of the Sabatia genus of rose gentians.  It can be found in only 9 south-eastern and eastern states and is listed as endangered in some.  These were photographed from the Webb’s Mill Bog boardwalk,  but can be found in similar ecosystems throughout the New Jersey Pine Barrens and normally bloom from early July to late August.  They were a pleasant treat for a late summer visit and the first time I had ever seen one. It pays to take the time for additional visits throughout the spring,  summer and fall months.


Lanceleaf rose gentian,  Sabatia difformis
Webb’s Mill Bog, New Jersey Pinelands

Narrowleaf gentian,  Gentiana linearis
Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia

Two of the more common of the gentian family,  the Narrowleaf gentian, Gentiana linearis (pictured above) and the Closed bottle gentian,  Gentiana andrewsii (pictured below) were found and photographed at the Dolly Sods Wilderness in the state of West Virginia. Again. Late summer into fall is the time of the bloom. Both the Narrowleaf and Closed Bottle Gentians have flowers that never open and for pollination, insects must force their way in among the tips of the petals. The Closed Bottle Gentian is by far more prevalent in the sods. I’ll note more about Dolly Sods in my location discussion.

Closed bottle gentian,  Gentiana andrewsii
Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia

 


Large cranberry,  Vaccinium macrocarpon
Dolly Sods Wilderness,  West Virginia

The Large cranberry or American cranberry,  Vaccinium macrocarpon is a native fruit whose range extends in temperate climate zones from the East Coast to the Central U. S. and Canada and from Southern Canada in the north to the Appalachians in the south.  The wild plants thrive in peaty boggy areas while cultivated cranberries are a major commercial crop in the states of Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin,  as well as in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Quebec. Wisconsin is the largest producer of the cultivated cranberries with Massachusetts following in overall production.

The wild cranberries ripen in the fall,  but can be a bit bitter to the human pallet.  The ones pictured above and below were photographed in the Dolly Sods Wilderness in the state of West Virginia but can be found at most of the bogs I have visited throughout the Appalachian chain..


Large cranberry,  Vaccinium macrocarpon
Dolly Sods Wilderness,  West Virginia

 

There are literally thousands of bogs, fens and “bog-like” ecosystems throughout the eastern and Great Lakes region of the United States,  along with the central and eastern provinces of Canada, so finding these habitats is an easy chore,  however extreme caution and care must be used for their exploration.  Many of the lesser-known spots favored by local botanists are kept as guarded secrets to protect their sensitive habitats from plant poachers and commercial growers as well as people who lack the knowledge on how to approach or navigate their delicate surroundings.  The most important thing for the newand aspiring botanist or photographer is not to attempt to enter the bog itself,  but enjoy its treasures from a safe distance with minimal disturbance. This is for your safety as well, as some bogs have been known to eat humans,  literally!   It’s entirely possible to sink up to your waste or chest through the mosses before getting a foot hold on anything solid.  Then wondering out into the bog can also cause damage to ecosystem and you could easily step on and destroy threatened or endangered plant life.  So, enjoy our bogs,  their plant and animal life from “hard ground”, marked trails, boardwalks or the nearby road.  I’ll go into the photography, equipment and techniques at the end of this post.

Based on my above advise,  I am only going to mention a few well known bogs and habitats that are easily and safely accessible to the public for exploration and the one’s primarily located within the mid-Atlantic region.  Most of the ones mentioned are closely monitored by local or national organizations such as the Nature Conservancy,  State or National Forest/Park Services or private owners who allow access and perhaps a few of the lesser known habitats you can view from a distance.  I will also provide some links to publications to assist in locating some of these areas.

 


Webb’s Mill Bog,  New Jersey Pinelands

One of my favorites, and a bog that has been a classroom for students of botany and naturalists for decades,  the Webb’s Mill Bog (actually a “Fen”) lies within the Greenwood State Forest and Greenwood Wildlife Management Area (Ocean County) in southern NJ along County Road 539 about five miles south of the intersection of Routes 70 and 539,  or about 6.5 miles north of the intersection of Routes 72 and 539, and just slightly south of the small bridge over the Webb’s Mill Branch of Cedar Creek.  It literally sits out in the middle of nowhere and there are no signs designating its location. Parking is limited to the sides of Cr 539 and caution should be used when exiting or pulling back on to the road.  Just look for the white sandy parking area to the east of the highway.  The trail leading to the narrow and oval boardwalk is often overgrown and hard to distinguish at its beginning although once you enter it’s well used and easy to follow.
See Map  Google has it marked as “Nature Trail Boardwalk”.   Here is Another View  of the trail entrance and as you can see, it’s narrow and overgrown…

The roughly 400-foot-long and oval boardwalk is narrow,  but is well built with solid decking,  railing and seems well maintained.  It provides a safe and effortless way to enjoy all the flora present in the bog while keeping one’s feet dry and not sinking waist deep in the mucky and mossy bog floor of which I will repeat as being detrimental to any such habitat.  On cloudy and humid summer evenings,  it’s a wonderful place to hear and perhaps even see and photograph the reclusive Pine Barrens Tree Frog.  Though the boardwalk is hardly ever crowded,  weekdays are optimum and on many days,  you can have it all to yourself.  Webb’s Mill is a fantastic place to begin your New Jersey Pine Barrens adventure.


Rose Pogonia Orchids,  Pogonia ophioglossoides
Webb’s Mill Bog,  New Jersey Pinelands

The plant list of the Webb’s Mill Bog is immense and incredible so,  I will just list a few of my favorites here starting with the trees to include Acer rubrum (red maple),  Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic white cedar),  Juniperus virginiana (red cedar),  Pinus rigida (pitch pine),  Quercus marilandica (black jack oak), Rubus cuneifolius (sand dewberry) and Sassafras albidum (sassafras). Herbs include the elusive, and for me “yet to see” Arethusa bulbosa (arethusa or Dragon Mouthed Orchid),  Eriocaulon compressum (flattened pipewort),  Eupatorium pilosum (rough thoroughwort),  Hypericum perforatum (common St. Johnswort),  Hypochoeris radicata (cat’s ear),  Leiophyllum buxifolium (sand myrtle),  Nymphaea odorata (fragrant white water lily), Orontium aquaticum (goldenclub or neverwet),  Plantago lanceolata (English plantain),  Triadenum virginicum (marsh St. Johnswort),  Utricularia fibrosa (fibrous bladderwort), Utricularia subulata (zig-zag bladderwort),  Xerophyllum asphodeloides (turkey beard) and the host of other herbs, some pictured above, along with a substantial list of bog related shrubs, rushes, grasses, ferns and sedges.


Webb’s Mill Bog Boardwalk
Webb’s Mill Bog,  New Jersey Pinelands

 


Spruce Flats Bog,  Laurel Summit State Park
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Within the Forbes State Forest in Westmoreland County Pennsylvania, and the Spruce Flats Wildlife Management Area, the 28-acre Spruce Flats Bog is accessible by trail from the picnic area of the Laurel Summit State Park.  The bog’s origin is obscure and past geologic activity which may or may not have included glaciation,  left a depression on top of Laurel Ridge.  The depression proceeded through natural succession from open water, to marsh or swamp, to bog, to meadow and finally to forest. During the early 20th century loggers discovered a forest of virgin Hemlock which they misnamed Spruce growing on the flats. The forest was then clear-cut which caused a rise in the water table. Then evapotranspiration from the tree leaves and devastating fires at about the same time burned away the upper layers of organic matter which comprised the forest floor above the water table. These events set back the natural succession clock,  probably to the last swamp or early bog stage. Eventually, this succession may lead back to forest.


Purple Pitcher Plant,  Sarracenia purpurea and White beaksedge,   Rhynchospora alba
Spruce Flats Bog,  Laurel Summit State Park
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Unlike the Webb’s Mill Bog above,  and many of our northern bogs,  the Spruce Flats Bog is not as diverse in aquatic plant life and during the 1950’s much of the population of the Purple Pitcher Plants were transplanted from other locations.  The three primary bog plant species found here include the Pitcher Plants,  Sundews and Cranberries along with grasses and sedges.  The surrounding woodlands hold some orchid species.  The trail from the picnic area is well maintained along with the short boardwalk over a part of the bog.  Located in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, winters can be harsh, and access can be extremely limited.


Spruce Flats Bog Boardwalk,  Laurel Summit State Park
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

 


Dolly Sods Entrance,  Forest Road 75
Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia

 

Nestled among the highest elevations of the Allegheny Plateau,  and within the Monongahela National Forest of Wild Wonderful West Virginia, a lies a vast wilderness known as Dolly Sods. With elevations ranging from 2,600 feet to well over 4,000 feet above sea level,  the climate and plant life resembles that of northern Canada.  It’s a unique “island” of wild country surrounded by Appalachian hardwood forests.  The terrain is rugged and can only be reached by sometimes narrow, steep, dusty and bumpy gravel roads.  Communities of unusual plant life are a major draw to the Sods for many visitors and include sphagnum bogs, groves of wind-stunted, one-sided red spruce and twisted yellow birch, heath barrens, grassy sods, rhododendron and laurel thickets.

Heath barrens cover the highest areas where azaleas, mountain laurel, rhododendron, and blueberries hardly grow taller than chest high and can provide a breathtaking floral display from May through July,  along with the Painted Trillium and Bleeding Hearts in the woodlands.  Cranberries and the carnivorous sundews flourish in the bogs of floating sphagnum moss found in the shallow depressions.  The above mentioned is just a tiny portion of the list of plant life found in the sods.  Dolly Sods is one of my favorite places for birding as well with the beautiful Magnolia Warbler calling the Red Spruce and other confers home for their breeding season along with others.

Painted Trillium Trillium undulatum
Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia

Care should be taken when visiting Dolly Sods in the early spring or late fall as weather conditions can change rapidly and without warning.

There are several ways to get to Dolly Sods, depending on where you’re travelling from:

From Petersburg, WV: Follow State Route 42 north to Jordan Run Road. Turn left onto Jordan Run Road and proceed approximately five miles to Forest Road 75. Turn right and go four miles to the Dolly Sods Scenic Area.

Follow State Route 28 and 55 south to Jordan Run Road. Turn right and go one mile on Jordan Run Road to Forest Road 19. Turn left and follow Forest Road 19 six miles to the Dolly Sods Scenic Area.

From Canaan Valley, WV: Follow Route 32 south to the Laneville Road. Turn left and follow the Laneville Road ten miles to the Dolly Sods Scenic Area. Before reaching the Scenic Area, the road passes several trail-heads and the Dolly Sods Picnic Area.

Dolly Sods Landscape
Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia

 

The above is just the beginning of my exploration of our Bogs, Fens and bog-like ecosystems and I will be constantly adding to this post both with species and locations in the future, so if you subscribe to my blog and/or follow me on Facebook,  I will keep you posted as to additions.  I fully intend to do a post solely related to the Michaux State Forest here close to home in Pennsylvania in the future.

Again, I want to stress the delicate nature of these ecosystems and the extreme care that should be taken while exploring them.  “I cannot stress this enough”.  Always view them from a distance and/or at least  “leave no footprints”.

Prairie Song … Woodland Warblers 2

Posted by Jim Flowers on March 14, 2016
Posted in: Birding, Birds, Woodland Warblers. 7 Comments

Prairie Song Title

Prairie Warbler 1

Prairie Warbler title
For the past five years,  the coming of spring brought excitement and anticipation to the arrival of one of my favorite warblers to a location very close to my home.  Many of you have heard me mention,  or read about through my prior posts,  loving references to the Hanover Watershed Wildlife Management Area which shares its acreage with both York County Pennsylvania and Carroll County Maryland along the Mason-Dixon Line.  There is a special section of this area that sits on the Pennsylvania side just below the MD state line which was a clear-cut,  freshly planted with pine seedlings along with a thorny and brushy under story that seemed to be a highly prized breeding habitat of the Prairie Warbler.

Prairie Warbler 2This area had been a prior favorite of mine for the Indigo Bunting and the numerous sparrows present.  I kept hearing multiple symphonies’ of a rapidly ascending sweet trill including a “check note” that I just couldn’t quite put my finger on.  I was at that time, still very new to birding and especially new world warblers.

This was also a familiar tune that I had heard near the scrubby and wooded areas of the Gettysburg National Battlefield during some of my visits,  but I hadn’t laid eyes on this songster at neither location.
So I spent an evening listening to the song of every warbler on my iBird smart phone app until I put a name to the sound.

A few days later I returned to my little spot in the watershed to see if I cold get a visual and capture a few images of this beautiful woodland warbler.  The area covers about 2,000 feet of length and 670 feet of width along a busy roadway running north-east.  The location is posted so any observing or photography had to be done from the vehicle along the road shoulder and when the weather is dry, the grassy shoulder is suitable to get off the road completely and safely out of the way of traffic.

There is however,  signs warning “No Parking”,  but luckily the caretakers of the property know both me and my vehicle well and afford me tolerance for my undertakings.  The entire watershed is posted and not open to the public with the exception of the hunting area on the Maryland side which is by permit only, so all birding must be done off the roadways;  the majority of which are gravel with very light traffic.

I started my exploration at the southern most corner of the property and there I heard the first song of the Prairie that morning.  I also knew what I was now looking for so spotting the bird was much easier and faster and his location gave me multiple opportunities for photography.  It’s funny how they seemed not to be bothered by me sitting there quietly enjoying and capturing their presence.  I must have heard,  observed and photographed at least 6 or 7 birds along that stretch of road during the morning hours that day along with the one pictured right perched on the top of a pine sapling.  And that didn’t include the other birds I had either heard or spotted farther into the property.

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“Peek-A-Boo” with the Prairie Warbler

How some of our warblers get their names behooves me considering the Magnolia has noting to do with the magnolia tree and the Prairie doesn’t live in,  or is associated with open prairies. The Prairie prefers scrubby areas,  grown over brushy pastures,  young pines and breeds in dry old clearings, edges of forest, and sandy Pine Barrens with undergrowth of scrub oaks, and notably on ends of slopes and ridges.  Now that I come to think of it, I have heard this song over in the New Jersey Pinelands while photographing wild orchids at several of the bogs.  Some of the permanent residents of this species in Florida prefer the coastal mangrove forests.  It also takes a liking to power-line right-of-ways,  Christmas tree farms and abandoned orchards.

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“Lurking in the Shadows” A Prairie Warbler captured with the flash..

Interesting facts include that Prairie Warbler males typically return to the same breeding territory used in previous years.  This  species is monogamous and will typically find a new mate each year. The female might leave after a nesting attempt with one male and attempt to mate with another male; and then some males may also mate with multiple females in non-adjacent territories  Pairing normally occurs approximately one week after the male returns to his territory with breeding occurring from mid May to Mid July.

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“Birds and Blooms” …. What an appropriate image..

The Prairie warbler’s breeding range encompasses most of the eastern United States from eastern Texas,  north through southern Missouri,  northeast through southern New England, and south to northern Florida.  There are also isolated populations north into Michigan which are listed as “endangered” and continue into southern Ontario.  The non-breeding range is almost exclusively within the Caribbean islands,  with a few birds holding a permanent residence within the extreme south-eastern US (Florida).

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“King of the Thorns” no problem with his perch whatsoever…

The Prairie warbler will begin breeding within its first year and will breed annually throughout its lifespan average of 3.5 years to a maximum potential of 10.5 years.  The female will normally lay a clutch of 3 to 5 eggs and though only one brood is typical,  she may lay an additional clutch. Post-fledgling mortality in this species is very high,  but mortality from post-fledge to independence is quite low at only 18%…

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“Sing A Happy Song”…. After the “attentive” pose above, he let out a tune… Listen Below:

https://birdsandblooms.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/prarie-warbler-2.mp3

As with so many of our warbler species,  the greatest threat is habitat loss caused by development and “clean” farming.  Habitat is also critical within its winter range and much has been lost to wood cutting,  agriculture and of course more development.  Besides habitat loss, Wind Turbines along migration routes and feral cats have also taken a toll,  especial with the latter in Florida.  I can remember a trip to the 10,000 Islands Region (southwest coast) and the Florida Keys where I witnessed an abundance of feral cats.  I counted almost two dozen at one motel we stayed at in Marathon.  Hurricanes and children hunting with sling-shots is also a major threat in the Caribbean.

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“Rear View” …. A nice over the shoulder pose

Another pair of serious threats to the Prairie Warbler,  like many of the warbler family,  is the Brown-headed cowbird which acts as a nest parasite to this species and can cause the female to leave the nest completely.  Then finally predators such as snakes and corvids take their toll. In fact predators are responsible for about 80% of nesting failures…  Like many of our New World Warblers and other songbirds,  populations have been declining over the past years.

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“Face to Face” with the Prairie Warbler …. What more could one ask for !

All of the images presented throughout this post were captured at the same location over the past few years.  However,  as I had mentioned before, this little jewel can be found almost anywhere in his suitable habitat.  The population in my favorite spot has been declining somewhat as the planted pines continue to grow taller shading out the sun dependent brushy under story.  But, I will look for them again this coming spring as I always do…

Happy Birding to All!

 

Life In Black & White …

Posted by Jim Flowers on February 26, 2016
Posted in: Birding, Birds, Woodland Warblers. 7 Comments

Life In Black and White title image

Avian Photography is truly a passion and I honestly have to say,  of all the species I photograph,  the colorful and tiny wood warbler has to be my favorite.  The majority of my friends and  peers much prefer the majestic “raptor” and owls as their subjects of choice. While I enjoy photographing those as well,  and especially the rarest Accipiters and Buteos (Hawks) to my region;  I find trying to follow the tiniest of bird with a long telephoto lens; where the word “still” is a total misnomer in and out of the tightest of natural cover, “the ultimate photographic challenge”.  Then you add forever changing light,  from one extreme to another,  creating an exposure nightmare and adding a final touch to the feat.

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“Sitting Pretty”
A Michaux State Forest Black and White goes “Vogue” for the camera

This post will be the beginning of a series dedicated to the “Woodland Warbler” and contain the species I have been fortunate enough to photograph;  and over time collect enough imagery to keep things interesting.  Just photographing these birds is only half of the challenge whereas establishing the proper identification for each can be the difficult part.   Spring and breeding season identifications can be as simple as just looking them up in reference materials such as a pocket guide-book or on a smart-phone app.  Fall and migrating birds can create quite a bit of confusion with many species appearing similar,  or with some completely changing in appearance.  In some cases,  one has to really pay attention to some very subtle differences between the “look-a-likes”…   All in all, this is what keeps it fun and interesting.

Black and White Warbler

Life In Black and White 1

Black and White warbler photographed deep within the
Rhododendrons of the Michaux State Forest in Pennsylvania.

One of my favorites,  and one of the most prolific breeders to my region is the Black and White Warbler,  which is the only member of the genus Mniotilta;  which means “moss plucking” and refers to the bird’s habit of probing for insects.  The Black and White warbler is also one of the first to arrive to the breeding grounds which includes from southern Canada south through the eastern U.S., and south to Florida.  It winters along the Gulf Coast, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.  I often see wintering populations during my Christmas trips home to the Texas Gulf Coast

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“Just Hanging Around”

The Black and White warbler forages unlike any other of the warbler species,  with the movements of crawling up and down tree trunks or under or over branches like the nuthatch. With the unusual long hind toe and claw on each foot that allows them to move securely on the surface of tree bark,  they were once referred to as the Black and White Creeper. However,  the Brown Creeper can only move up the tree whereas the Black and White warbler can climb or descend in any direction.

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Black and White Creeper???

Black and White warblers breed in both purely deciduous and mixed deciduous-conifer forests with a preference to large mature trees with an under-story of smaller trees and shrubs.  During the migration and winter,  this warbler can be found in a variety of forest types as well as woodland borders, gardens, and coffee plantations.

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An “Attentive Pose” by this Black and White Warbler
photographed in Dorchester County Maryland

During the spring and after they form a pair,  the female will begin building the nest which is cup-shaped and is made of leaves and grasses.  The nests are constructed on the ground and normally at the base of a tree or next to a fallen log and are usually well concealed under dead leaves or branches.

Once the nest is finished,  the female will lay a clutch of 4 to 6 eggs which are white and with brown flecks in appearance.  The incubation period consists of 10 to 12 days.  The male will occasionally bring the female her meals during the incubation period.  After the chicks hatch, both parents will assume the duties of feeding the young and defending the nest

Life In Black and White 4

“Belting Out a Tune”
The song of the Black and White Warbler is commonplace
in the Michaux State Forest of Pennsylvania … Listen Below:

https://birdsandblooms.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/black-and-white-warbler.mp3

The chicks will normally fledge and leave the nest after 8 to 12 days,  but will remain within their parent’s territory for 2 to 3 weeks before setting out on their own.  Most Black and White warbler pairs will raise only one brood per year.  However,  some breeding pairs are able to raise two broods per summer.  Black-and-white warblers are diurnal (active during the day) and all are migratory.

Life In Black and White 5

“Wee-see – Wee-see – Wee-see – Wee-see” 
sings another Michaux Black and White Warbler

The Black and White Warbler is a fairly common bird of the forest with a present population of about 140,000,000 across their range.  The species has a preference for large forested areas and one of the major threats facing them is forest fragmentation.  Nest parasitism by cowbirds and as insectivores,  pesticide poisoning is another major concern for this species…  As a “nocturnal migrant”,  Black-and-white Warblers are a frequent victim of collisions with glass,  towers,  and wind turbines.

Life In Black and White 8

“Familiar Territory”
A fall migrant grants me a sweet pose in my beloved and close to home,
Hanover Watershed Wildlife Management Area

At present,  Black and White warblers are not threatened or endangered.  However,  they are protected under the U.S. Migratory Bird Act.  May we keep the populations safe and happy!

The Short-eared Owl – Wetlands, Grasslands and Raptors Part 3

Posted by Jim Flowers on February 5, 2016
Posted in: Birding, Birds, Raptors, Travel. 10 Comments

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The world of “Avian Photography” is filled with discovery,  wonder and intrigue presenting a “never ending” learning environment as well as a sense of accomplishment after successfully pursuing and photographically capturing your subject…

Step one begins with research and careful study of your subject’s biology,  preferred habitat, seasonal movements and daily habits;  hunting, feeding, etc…  Once you accomplish the preceding,  it’s time to start looking!  Although sometimes quite fickle,  finding owls is not a difficult chore.  Most are quite habitat oriented during select seasons or year round.  Some are migratory and some are not.

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Above, with an intense stare, a short-eared owl patrols the winter grasslands of Adams County, Pennsylvania in search of prey.

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The Short- eared Owl,  Asio flammeus,  is a creature of our “open spaces”;  including the prairie,  meadows,  tundra,  moorlands,  marshes,  savanna, and scattered woodlands sharing the fore mentioned.  Short eared owls can be found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.

Drawing a line from the southern border of New York state and tracing it west would mark the southern edge of their breeding range,  however the Short- eared Owl is also one of a few species that seems to have benefited from strip-mining.  It will occasionally nest on reclaimed and replanted mines south of its normal breeding range.  Northern populations are believed to be highly migratory and nomadic;  recently showing an increase of the owls at the edge and farther south of their normal breeding range especially during the winter months.

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“What’s Up?” 

A Short-eared Owl carefully watches a Northern Harrier above violating his feeding territory on a brackish marsh near the Chesapeake Bay in the state of Maryland…

Finding the Short- eared Owl in the Mid-Atlantic region is again a task of locating suitable habitat along with applying a lot of patience while exploring each location.  A lot of grief can be avoided by searching the local birding “List Serves” and/or using e-Bird’s vast mapping and sighting resources for recent sightings.  But, even with all of the available information, sighting and photographing these birds can be “hit or miss” at your selected locations.

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King of the Hill”….Variations on a Pose…

A Pennsylvania short-ear enjoys an elevated perch to keep an eye out for dinner.

You can spend hours watching for one to take flight and still not see an owl.   As a photographer,  things become even more critical, especially the available light and its angle. The optimum time of day to spot the short-eared owl is during the late afternoon hours until dusk, or an hour before sunrise and perhaps a couple of hours afterwards.  However,  it’s not unusual to see this species during the daylight hours “on the wing” over and hunting the grasslands and marshes.  As I have learned over the years past,  this normally nocturnal or early/late hunter may choose to perform his activities far earlier in the day and rest quietly during the normal feeding window.

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Owl and raptor photography has somewhat become a “main-stay” for me during the winter months while my other feathered friends are on hiatus in the tropics.  While I like to photograph wintering waterfowl as well,  I normally always end my day with an owl outing during the final hours of daylight; and many times joining my good friend Larry Hitchens on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and what he calls his “Lower-Slower” Dorchester County.  Larry’s knowledge of reputable locations,  as well as the habits of these birds has been immensely helpful in my success with the short-ear and other owl species.

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A short-ear patrols the Adams County grasslands in south-central Pennsylvania.

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I will make an effort here to share a few notable locations to begin your short- ear experience. These areas normally see this species on a yearly basis,  but it is still wise to use the links I provided above before heading out.  I also noted that much of a successful outing can be “hit or miss” and almost based on the “luck of the draw” so frustration can be common place.

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“Strike A Pose”

Freedom Township Grasslands, Adams County Pennsylvania

I will begin close to our home near Gettysburg Pennsylvania and travel south from the Freedom Township Grasslands (which I will cover shortly) along Bullfrog Road into Maryland’s Carroll County to the road’s end at Baumgardner Road.  The field to the east,  just before Baumgardner is productive year after year it seems and we enjoyed a pair of “shorties” there just this past weekend.  A previous report sighted 3 at that location along with a pair of Northern Harriers and other raptors…… Map via Google

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Freedom Township Grasslands…Traveling west from Business Route US 15 on Millerstown Road, through the Battlefield and after Millerstown becomes Pumping Station Road just past West Confederate Ave, and continuing will take you through the heart of the Freedom Township Grasslands to the intersection of Bullfrog Road previously mentioned.  This road will also take you to the historic and “hallowed” Sachs Covered Bridge which is well worth a visit before waiting for the Short-ears to fly. All of the “flight” and snow images were captured in this area…. Map via Google

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“The Hunt”

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“The Pounce”

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“The Capture”…. Freedom Township Grasslands, Adams County, Pennsylvania

On the “negative side”,  last winter we found 7 short-eared owls in the field on the left just before the intersection of Pumping Station and Bullfrog Roads.  However,  this spring brought the plowing under of most of that field and the planting of corn which certainly will not benefit the owls and the other grassland species.  “What was once supposed to be preserved”,  is now falling victim to estate development and farming.

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“Got Mouse”?

There still are substantial areas of grasslands available,  but for how long is anyone’s guess! The same is happening to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Park.  Just a couple of years back the park contained huge expanses of grasslands,  especially along Business Route US 15.  For visitors to the park with an eye for nature,  these fields always held a few short-eared owls as well as many raptors.  Meadowlarks and Bobolinks were also once abundant visitors.

These same fields today are now mostly farmland,  which the Historical Society wanted to bring the area back into the Civil War era.  However, I seriously doubt that today’s modern farm equipment and hybrid crops were used or planted during that period of our history!  I’m also willing to guess that most visitors to the park would much rather see a rich natural environment with flora and fauna instead of commercial modern-day farming of which they can see on any highway across America.

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“A Watchful Eye”

This short-eared owl keeps a careful watch of another patrolling his hunting grounds

There are several other locations to look for the short- ear,  and where I have observed them in the past not too far from my home here in south-central Pennsylvania.  Just above the Mason Dixon Line,  and just above the town of Stewartstown, lies a reclaimed landfill planted in native grasses called the Hopewell Township Recreation Area.  The area will occasionally host the Short- eared Owl as well as other grassland raptors and songbirds. Map via Google.

There are a series of trails that traverse the property and two nice viewing platforms have been added,  one at the parking lot and the other mid-field. The area has become very popular with dog walkers and I’m not sure as to the impact on the wildlife.

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“Farm Flight”

Freedom Township Grasslands

Another notable location to find the short-eared owl,  is the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area,  sharing acreage in both Lancaster and Lebanon Counties, Pennsylvania. Middle Creek is most frequently visited by waterfowl enthusiasts,  especially in early March for its amazing population of migrating snow geese,  but also holds a nice population of raptors and various owl species that patrol its surrounding grasslands.  The owls are most prevalent along Kleinfeltersville Road,  north of the Visitors Center through the rolling uplands. This is really the only access to the area during the winter months until the first of March when the tour road opens. Map via Google..

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“Icy Stare”

A Pennsylvania short- ear rests along a plowed farm lane upon a clump of snow

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As I have previously mentioned,  wide – open grasslands and wetlands compose the primary winter habitat for the Short – eared Owl.  Traveling eastward to the coastal plains and marshes of Maryland and Delaware,  present numerous opportunities to find this owl;  in fact almost too many to mention.  However,  I will list a few of my favorites.

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A Fishing Bay Short – eared Owl perches on a Trappers mark….

Larry’s beloved “Lower – Slower” Dorchester County in Maryland was my introduction to this owl species and still remains productive year after year. The Chesapeake Bay,  Blackwater, Choptank and Nanticoke River wetlands are prime locations.  Public lands like the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (Map via Google) and the Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area (Map via Google) provide plenty of access.  The thing to remember about this area,  is to find a “back-road” to explore during the late afternoon hours until sunset/dusk and keep an eye out for hunting owls.

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“Fresh Breeze”

A Fishing Bay short-ear takes a break from patrolling the wetlands

SEO 17Traveling farther south via US Route 50 to Salisbury and then US Route 13 towards Virginia and the town of Princess Anne,  the Deal Island Wildlife Management Area (Map via Google) offers back-road access to a vast wetland complex and notable sightings of the short-eared owl.  This area is also very productive for wintering waterfowl.  Again, I want to stress you doing a little research via the birding reports and eBird.  You never quite know when one will be reported.

Finally,  I will include the state of Delaware in my presentation and several popular locations to find the short-eared owl.  Starting with the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (Map via Google) and heading a short distance south to Port Mahon Road and then the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge and of course, “parts in-between”.

I have observed this owl species at the Bombay Hook refuge on quite a few occasions during both the early morning and late evening hours flying out over the Delaware Bay marshes, adjacent to both the Shearness and Bear Swamp Pools.  Most visitors have their eyes glued to the fauna occupying the fresh-water impoundments at the refuge and pay little attention to the open marshes to the east along the bay and miss the spectacle.  So, on your next early or late visit,  you just might want to make a little extra effort to be observant to the marsh.

Just a few miles to the north of the Bombay Hook refuge is the Woodland Beach Wildlife Management Area (Map via Google) and I have observed a short-ear patrolling the marsh from the observation tower a few years back so this might be a good spot to check out as well.

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“The Landing”

A Fishing Bay short-ear lands on a Trappers Mark

Traveling south from Bombay Hook along DE Route 9,  you come to the town of Little Creek and Port Mahon Road,  (Map via Google) which is a very popular route for those with an interest in shore-birds.  This road is also very well known for wintering short-eared owls and sightings are reported on a yearly basis.  Just be very careful when traveling this road as only half is paved and the rest is sand,  shell and rocky rip-rap.  You can easily damage tires if not paying attention to your route of travel.  A favorite spot of mine to watch for the owls is from the elevated steps of the fishing pier.

A bit farther south of Port Mahon Road lies the Ted Harvey Conservation/Wildlife Management Area (Map via Google) and the Logan Tract of the Little Creek Wildlife Area at the end of DE Route 9, via Kitts Hummock Road;  and then continuing south along DE Route 1, Bowers Beach Road contains favorable habitat near it’s end and the Delaware Bay.

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Then finally,  Broadkill Road,  (Map via Google) ending at Broadkill Beach through the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge also contains suitable habitat and is certainly worth taking a gander…

Hopefully, all of the above areas mentioned will give ‘owling” fans a bit of reference and a few starting points to begin their adventures. Finding these birds is “game of chance” on most occasions, but can be a lot of fun and the rewards when successful are by far worth the effort..

Happy “Owling” Everyone!!!

 

 

 

 

 

“Wild Goose Chase”…The Quest for the Arctic Traveler

Posted by Jim Flowers on November 23, 2014
Posted in: Birding, Birds. Tagged: Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Greater Snow Geese, Middle Creek, Snow Geese. 6 Comments

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Greater Snow Geese
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

 W
hat could be more exhilarating for a lover of birds than the visual treat of tens of thousands of Snow Geese launching from their over-night roost during the early dawn hours in an exploding massive cloud of white and painted with a warm glow from the rising sun!  And it’s not only a spectacle of sight,  but sound as well, which at close range can be quite intense to the human ear.  But it’s an experience of an audible magnitude that one will remember and cherish for the rest of their lives.

This “Blast-off” as many of us call it,  can be the highlight of the day and an overwhelming experience for the avid waterfowl enthusiast.  It only requires a journey to your favorite wildlife refuge or other location where these birds are present during the wee hours of the morning, and then arriving at or before nautical twilight,  finding the birds,  setting up and then patiently waiting for the event…   Let’s not forget the stop en-route at your favorite local donut shop for coffee and those delectable sugary treats that so many of us simply cannot do with out.

For the waterfowl photographer,  this extravaganza can often take place before he or she has suitable light to accomplish their craft.  But today’s modern digital DSLR’s are capable of capturing images in very low light so opportunities are on the increase.  However,  all is not lost “missing the shot” as just experiencing the event itself is worth the trip,  even with the camera sitting idle on the seat of your vehicle.

Weather can play a major role in the morning departure of these birds to their chosen feeding grounds as well as the distance they have to travel.  I have seen them wait until well after sunrise to lift-off on numerous occasions,  especially on foggy mornings.

blast-off

Exodus with a “splash” of color….
The rising sun adds a warm reddish glow to this somewhat abstract composition of thousands of Greater Snow Geese “blasting off” from the Raymond Pool at the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware.

Growing up along the Louisiana and upper Texas Coast,  the first hint of a November chill would bring anticipation of the arrival of thousands of Lesser Snow Geese,  White-fronted Geese (Speckle-bellies) and wintering ducks to the marshes and coastal prairies.  During my younger years my excitement was more from a hunting perspective but as I grew older the visual enjoyment alone became equally exciting or perhaps even more so.  I have long since put down the gun for the camera instead and enjoy observing and photographing life more than taking it for whatever the reason.

Waterfowl hunting had been a tradition among my family and friends;  more so than deer or any other game.  Hunting the Wild Turkey was a close second as far as a dedication and source of enjoyment,  and I still enjoy that challenge to this day,  although “Old Tom” will normally outsmart me on most occasions.

Just being out in the marsh long before sunrise,  mucking around setting up decoys and then retiring to your blind or boat,  sipping coffee and waiting for the first sound of “whistling wings” is an experience everyone should experience,  even the non-hunting folks.

snow geese 1

“Grey Skies – White Cloud”
A mid-morning “blast-off” near Willow Point at the Middle Creek Wildlife
Management Area in Lancaster County Pennsylvania.

Relocating to the Mid-Atlantic region to work for the National Geographic Society had presented numerous opportunities for new birding and wildlife adventures within a variety of habitats I had longed to explore for prolonged periods of time instead of just a “tourist glance” during some of my previous “quick” visits.   As far as waterfowl and coastal birds,  my move would be an introduction to new species I had desired to see in “real life” and not just photographs on the pages of reference materials.  I was also pleased to find many of the species I consider “old friends” from the Gulf Coast, but dressed in brilliant breeding plumage’s instead of the dull colors of their winter attire we so commonly see in Texas and Louisiana and their wintering grounds.

Remembering the huge flocks of Lesser Snow Geese from the Texas coastal prairies,  like the “Katy Prairie” west of Houston sparked an interest in what I could find within the region of my new home here in the Mid-Atlantic States.   I knew the Greater Snow Goose was a huge draw for the waterfowl hunter as well as the waterfowl photographer and birding enthusiasts.   So I began my exploration for this prolific species along the eastern shores of Maryland and Delaware east of the Chesapeake Bay and along the coastal reaches of the Delaware Bay.

Snowgoose juvenile

“Handsome Fella”
A young Greater Snow Goose stands alongside the Wildlife Drive
at the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware.
The coloration is prior to gaining the pure whites of the adult.

Agricultural areas are a big attraction for Snow Geese with the plentiful food sources of their favor and the Mid-Atlantic coastal region,  like the Texas and Louisiana coastal prairies support farming as a major industry.   The crop yield is a bit different with rice and grasses being the major draw in Texas and Louisiana while winter wheat and other various and numerous grains are prevalent within the Mid-Atlantic coastal areas.

Maryland and Delaware both host major National Wildlife Refuges that provide safe places for resting and roosting wintering geese,  however Delaware seems to lead the two in sheer populations.   Bombay Hook and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuges are the stars of Delaware and both offer the waterfowl lover and photographer great opportunities to observe and photograph these birds at rest as well as the popular early morning “blast-off” from the roost on many occasions.

feeding pair

“Whats for Dinner?”
An adult pair of Greater Snow Geese probe the corn stubble for left-over morsels
near the Visitors Center at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
in Dorchester County, Maryland

Bombay Hook NWR seems to have lost the draw of many of the roosting birds since a political lawsuit took the on-site farming away and the geese lost a safe place to feed and graze before retiring for the night.   The loss of the farming is a whole other story that I won’t go in to other than to say a few misguided humans won the battle and the majority of the wildlife lost!!   You can still find roosting birds on the Raymond and Shearness Pools but not in the huge numbers as years past it seems.

Thirteen Curves

“Lift-Off from 13 Curves”
A huge flock of Greater Snows I found along 13 Curves Road
near the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge take to the sky in a flurry.

Maryland’s Dorchester County is home to the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and its adjoining neighbor the Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area which provide safe resting and roosting locations for some of Maryland’s Snow Goose populations.  However for good viewing,  the later winter months are the best at the Blackwater refuge.

Other good areas around Maryland for observing Snow Geese include the portion of the state south of the city of Salisbury and also eastward to the towns of Berlin and Ocean City;  and then southward to Assateague Island.  The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge just across the border in Virginia is a Snow Goose “Hot-Spot”..

Middle Creek flock

“Monkey See – Monkey Do”
The flock at the Middle Creek WMA take to the air during a Bald Eagle fly over!
When one bird senses danger, the others will follow the lead to safety.

The state of Pennsylvania is another farming mecca with the eastern portion of the state,  and especially the counties of Lancaster and Lebanon which lie east of the Susquehanna River,  hosting feeding and resting places for thousands of Greater Snow Geese and many other waterfowl species during their migratory travels.  Here plentiful field corn silage spills and leftovers are the main attraction with more winter wheat and various grasses as an added enticement.

An area along the borders of these two counties was set aside to host the large Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area and lake which give these travelers a safe place to rest and roost for their journey.  Like the Blackwater refuge in Maryland,  Middle Creek is the most productive for the larger numbers of snow geese during the late winter and early spring.

chubby wascals

“Chubby Wascals”
Seemingly “well fed”, Mom and Pop pose for me and a family portrait at the Middle Creek WMA.
I did forget to ask them for their address so I could mail them a picture.

Arrivals and Departures

Bombay Fall

“Fading Colors forWhite Arrivals”
The last of the fall colors welcome a flock of Greater Snow Geese
to the Shearness Pool at the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

Many of my friends and peers who share the love of Avian photography,  and especially the ones who are dedicated to waterfowl have this “obsession” with photographing “birds in flight” or BIF as they call it.

As a photographer who spends most of his time with the little song birds hopping from branch to branch in a bush or tree,  photographing birds in flight is not one of my stronger points. However,  I do enjoy taking the challenge once every “Blue Moon” or so!

I will dedicate these remaining images to “their obsession” and my sometimes feeble attempts at it to pay my respect and homage to their dedication and skills.

BombayHook009

“A Perigee Departure”
One of my favorite images from the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is
this sunrise departure of Greater Snow Geese during the setting of a Perigee Moon.

As with the above “sunrise image”,  sunsets (below) can add their own splendor by warming colors to your subjects backgrounds and the evening sky.  We photographers call this “sweet light” and for those who prefer to rise later or depart early truly miss out.  “Bankers Hours” are not for the dedicated photographer of nature.

Gear Down

“Gear Down and Locked”
The aviation term applies here as four Greater Snow Geese have their feet extended
and wings cupped like the flaps on a jet-liner slowing their decent while on a sunset
approach to a 
field at the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

woodland beach

“On Final”
Using the low sun at about 3:30 PM on a chilly January day, I captured the image of
these seven birds on their final approach to a pond at the base of the Woodland Beach WMA
observation tower from which I was shooting.  The geese were approaching straight towards me.

Several years back on a gray, cold and blustery day in March,  I and my beloved 90-year-old friend Elmer Schweitzer joined friends Steve Keller and Eric Gerber for an outing to photograph the Snow Geese up close and personal from the auto-tour loop at the Middle Creek WMA in Lancaster/Lebanon Counties Pennsylvania.

Eric was kind enough to lend me an older Canon 600mm lens for some “Bird In Flight” photography of individual birds.  Again, this is not my strong point as far as photography is concerned but I had a blast and managed some half-way decent images.  The guys set up on tripods,  but I had to improvise and use a bean bag off of the passenger door frame of my vehicle.

Still,  “all in all”,  things fell in place,  and even with the older relic lens and the lack of image stabilization that these new shooters consider a “must have” I managed.  I guess it’s my “old schooling” and after all I have been shooting for over 40 years and long before IS was a thought in some technicians mind..

Here are just a sampling of the approach and landing sequence results below……..

Middle Creek 1

“Smooth and Steady”
Who could ask for a nicer composition? This adult Greater Snow goose had just departed
from the lake so take notice to the water droplets from his feet.

Middle Creek 2

“Shallow Bank – Eyes Forward”
Just a nice shallow turn before the final to landing…

Middle Creek 3

“The Three Amigos”
Perhaps Mom with two of her offspring making their approach to the field below.

Middle Creek 4

“A Slight Adjustment”
Two youngsters on a final approach as the following bird makes a slight turn to the right
to land beside and with the leading goose..

Middle Creek 5

“Eagle Head”
A “Blue Phase” Snow goose picks a spot for his touchdown in the flock below.
He will stand out like a “sore thumb” in the field of white..

Middle Creek6

“Feathers For Flight”
As a pilot I am amazed as to how the feathers of the wings and tail of these birds closely
resemble and act like the control surfaces of an aircraft. Looking at the upper portions
of the wings on this Snow, you can see the deep curvature of the leading edge
like the “slats” or flaps on a jetliner. I would imagine this is how we humans
developed the principles of flight we use today!

Middle Creek 7

“Approaching the Landing Zone”
An Adult Greater Snow goose prepares for his touchdown…

Middle Creek 8

“Picking a Spot In a Field of White”
Just before touch-down, this Greater Snow maneuvers for an open area to land…

Middle Creek 9

“Student Pilot – Close Quarters”
A juvenile Snow goose jockey’s for a tight landing spot while the adults watch…

In conclusion, I hope everyone has the opportunity to enjoy these birds as much as I have.  I look forward to this season and many more in the future for chances to observe and photograph these amazing birds along with so many others along our coastal prairies and marshes whether it be the Mid-Atlantic or Gulf coasts.

Middle Creek 10

“The Over The Hill Gang”
at the Middle Creek WMA

(from left to right) Steve Keller, from Reading Pennsylvania;
 along with my “young” and chipper 90 year old friend Elmer Schweitzer
and yours truly with camera and lens by Canon, Tripod by Chevrolet and my
modern gimbal head by Wildlife Imaging constructed of fabric and “beans”…
Photo taken by good friend Eric Gerber

 

 

 

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