Birds and Blooms

A Celebration of Our Natural World through Stories and Photography by Jim Flowers

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“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.

Prairie Warbler 3

“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.

Prairie Warbler 4

“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.

Prairie Warbler 5

“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).

Prairie Warbler 6

“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%…

Prairie Warbler 7

“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.

Prairie Warbler 8

“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.

Prairie Warbler 9

“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

Life In Black and White 2

“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.

Life In Black and White 6

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.

Life In Black and White 3

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

Wetlands title

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

Wild Goose Chase Title Image

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

 

 

 

“Fall Migration” a time for discovery!

Posted by Jim Flowers on August 23, 2014
Posted in: Birding, Birds. Tagged: Carroll County Maryland, fall migration, Hanover Watershed, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Schoolhouse Road. 6 Comments

Fall Migration Title

type leafEach of our wonderful seasons can bring a variety of birding and avian photography opportunities, but the shorter days with the slightest hint of a chill in the air, will signal the return south for many species and the chance to observe and photograph not only our local resident feathered friends, but the many others that only pass through our area on their journey from their summer breeding grounds to their wintering habitats. This has to be my favorite time of year to get out and explore a few of my favorite nearby birding locations on almost a daily basis to see who might be passing through and/or taking a rest during their arduous trip south.

I concentrate my efforts with dedication and zeal during my exploration of my local haunts; spending hours looking and listening for the slightest movement or sound from the woodlands and grasslands near my home.  The following will be a small sampling of my photographic efforts during the past fall seasons.

You never really know what species of passerine (perching birds) you might find during the fall migration and this period is truly “a time for discovery” or a renewal of your discoveries with avian species you may have seen passing through during the spring months.  Searching for individual species during the spring and summer months is usually more specific to their habitat and breeding locations,  whereas the sightings in the fall are normally less habitat restrictive and more based on their chosen route of travel.

blackpoll warbler

Above is a migrant Blackpoll warbler I found resting in my local watershed.  He was quite the beauty!

type leaf RWeather can play an important role during both the fall and spring migration as we look for a phenomenon called “fallout.”  Inclement weather, usually including strong winds and rain,  slows the migrating birds down causing them to rapidly use up their stored energy reserves.  Thousands of extremely tired migrants are forced to seek shelter, food and a period of rest thus presenting an ideal time for observation and photography by “considerate” birding enthusiasts and avian photographers.

I cannot stress enough the importance of “consideration” to the welfare of these species that should be given by the birding community and avian photographers;  and the public in general!!   Harassing these birds by any means during a“fallout” is just as detrimental to the bird as the same bad behavior as trying to get a “closer look” or a better picture by invading their space or using any sounds, vocal or recorded, while they are establishing their territories, nesting and raising their young.  There are plenty of times when these practices can be safe as long as they are kept to a minimum.

Patience is a “virtue”, and a careful dedicated study of a chosen area can pay off in royal dividends when it comes to getting that close look or excellent photograph of a bird.

magnolia warbler

A very common fall visitor to my watershed and other favorite nearby locations; and normally in abundant numbers, is the Magnolia Warbler. (pictured above)

type leafI am more into quality than quantity when it comes to my bird observations and photography!  I’ve never been one to go out and see just how many species I can add to a list in a single outing, but I admire those who do and their efforts are helpful to all of us in the birding and avian photography community.

I guess my “list” would consist of my photographs for the day.   I do keep notes on occasion,  and submit “special” findings to e-bird and sometimes the local birding list-serves..  I by far more enjoy quietly observing and photographically documenting the behavior of a given species for an extended period of time.

My method of “discovery”,  and hopefully successful observation and photography of a species will include finding a “birdy” location along my way and quietly sitting and watching the landscape for activity; and I may sit for hours at a single location “waiting and watching” while taking advantage of any photographic opportunities that present themselves.   I might be using my vehicle as a “hide” on a seldom traveled or an “off the beaten path” roadway or hiking through the woodlands, grasslands or coastal marshes.

I have always been somewhat a loner and rarely participate as a member of large birding or photography groups.  I prefer to observe and photograph nature in quiet solitude with a minimum of distractions.  I work better that way and I have more time to devote to an individual member of a species and capture its behavior and every day activities.

I do have a very special birding friend, and that is my Chocolate Labrador Retriever, Tucker who enjoys our outings as much as his dad!  He likes to sit in the rear seat of my vehicle and watch the birds as I photograph them from my window.  I do have a few human friends who accompany me on occasion.

blue-winged warbler

An uncommon visitor to my watershed,  this Blue-winged warbler (pictured above) was a very surprising find and nestled in a lovely setting for a photograph. However,  I have seen a breeding pair not far away in another favorite area along the Kowomu Trail in northern Carroll County Maryland.  I have noticed them at that location for several years now.  I also had one singing along a gravel road on the border of the Codorus State Park in York County Pennsylvania during the spring.

type leaf RAs I mentioned above,  I have “select” areas where I heavily concentrate my attention and effort during the fall migration.  Most are very close to my home while several others are located in neighboring states.  The “hot-spots” near my home are located within both the states of Pennsylvania and Maryland and I luckily reside less than one-half mile just above the noted Mason-Dixon Line separating the two.

The area I frequent the most is the Hanover Watershed CWMA and the Hanover Watershed (joined together) in Carroll County Maryland and York County Pennsylvania.  It’s an easy 5 minute drive and allows me daily visits with more time to observe and photograph and less time to travel.  “Its back-yard birding at it’s best!”

Canada Warbler

The Hanover Watershed CWMA has been full of surprises this past fall and the above Canada Warbler was a first for me at this location.  I normally find this species deep within the rhododendrons and along the small clear streams of the Michaux State Forest,  just west of Gettysburg Pennsylvania and another one of my favorite fall locations.

The Hanover Watershed CWMA (Maryland) and the Hanover Watershed (Pennsylvania)

type leafLocated in portions of Carroll County Maryland and York County Pennsylvania,  the Hanover Watershed CWMA (Carroll County MD) and the Hanover Watershed (York County PA) provide a mixed forest rural oasis for bird life along the Mason Dixon Line!

Travel through the watershed is by less traveled gravel roads with plenty of room to pull of to the side and park to hike the roads themselves for birding and photography opportunities.

ovenbird

A “breeding” resident and a consistent songster with his “Teacher – Teacher – Teacher” tune,  the Ovenbird is quite abundant within the Watershed and most of my local haunts!

type leaf RThe Hanover Watershed CWMA  (Wildlife Management Area) on the Maryland side,  is a “by permit only” hunting area which I believe tends to see very little pressure from sportsmen,  at least far as long as I have been frequenting the area.  I can’t recall ever hearing a shot fired.  I would guess that the location is mostly bow hunting orientated!

The primary and most productive access to both the CWMA and Hanover Watershed proper is by Kridler’s Schoolhouse Road,  which can be reached directly off of E. Deep Run Road,  west of MD Route 30 or from  MD Route 30 via Yingling Road just before the Pennsylvania state line.

nashville warbler

A very exciting find for me during the fall migration of 2012, was this Nashville Warbler searching for food in a brushy area, just after crossing the Pennsylvania state line along Kridler’s Schoolhouse Road.

mourning warbler

Ironically, I found this Mourning Warbler less than 10 feet from the same spot this year.  (2013)   Another exciting find that “made my day”!   It’s amazing how closely these two species resemble each other except for the gray neck and throat of the Mourning..

type leafTraveling from E. Deep Run Road along Kridler’s Schoolhouse Road you will pass through a small rural residential area and then down a hill through woodlands to the junction of Yingling Road!

Turning left and continuing on Kridler’s Schoolhouse Road, you will pass a willow grove on your left (private property) that is a birding “hot-spot” and very productive throughout the seasons.

I have photographed over 30+ species at this location.  I made it a point to introduced myself to the landowners and over the past years have gained their trust.  Birding and photography can be excellent from the road in front of their property.

The open areas are loaded with Cardinal flowers (Lobelia cardinalis) and Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) during the mid to late summer months and can draw hummingbirds by the dozens.

kentucky warbler

Another exciting surprise during the fall migration of 2012 was this rather inquisitive Kentucky Warbler who paid me a visit along Kridler’s Schoolhouse Road. This was first for me as far as photographing this species,  although I hear their songs on a regular basis during the spring.

type leaf RFrom the “willow grove” and continuing north on Kridler’s Schoolhouse Road,  your journey will take you through mixed forests as you follow the tiny headwaters of South Branch Conewago Creek and some of the best birding and photography opportunities within the CWMA.

You will pass the junction of Garrett road and continue across the Pennsylvania state line and enter the Hanover Watershed which is a joint venture with the borough of Hanover and the P.H. Gladtfelter Paper Company located in Spring Grove Pennsylvania.

yellow-rumped

During the fall migration of 2012, I found this Yellow-rumped Warbler sitting on a limb of a fallen tree just north of the Garrett Road intersection. He was more than willing to pose for a few pictures.

type leafAfter crossing a small bridge over the South Branch Conewago Creek and continuing up the hill thorough the woodlands,  Kridler’s Schoolhouse Road will come to an end at it’s junction with Bankard Road. Be sure to be very observant along Kridler’s Schoolhouse Road before crossing the creek for fall raptors, especially the Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)  and Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) whom are normally present!

There are several pairs, if not more of Red-shoulders and Red-tails who breed within and call the watershed home on a yearly basis. Both the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) and the Barred Owl (Strix varia) reside within the watersheds forests and the late fall is a great time to listen for their “hoots” of courtship.  If you’re lucky, you might even get to observe and/or photograph one!

Black-throated blue warbler - male

One of my favorites, and most contrasting in colors, is the Black-throated Blue Warbler (pictured above) which I also normally find among the Laurel thickets within the mountainous terrain of the Michaux State Forest west of Gettysburg.   Historically, this was a “first ever” find for me in the Hanover Watershed CWMA and took place this past fall (2013).

Black-throated blue warbler - female

And then to put the “icing on the cake”,  I was able to, on the same day, add the Black-throated Blue Mrs. (female) too!!!!!!!! (pictured above)

type leaf RNot directly related to the fall migration, but taking a left onto Bankard Road from Kridler’s Schoolhouse Road, and proceeding up the hill, will take you to a lovely cut area, (to your right) loaded with new pine growth and is one of the best locations in the Hanover Watershed for finding breeding Prairie Warblers and Indigo Buntings.

I also found a “wayward” Golden-winged Warbler at this location several years back! The fall and winter months bring sparrows such as the White-throated, Field and Song.   Eastern Blue birds make an appearance on occasion as well as patrolling raptors!

ruby-crowned kinglet

The fall months also bring the wintering birds to the watershed and one of my favorites is the Ruby-crowned Kinglet. This is just one of about twenty that was occupying this tree and he went “vogue” for a few photographs..

type leafAlthough the most popular with me,  Kridler’s Schoolhouse Road is not the only productive pathway for birding and avian photography in the Hanover Watershed Pennsylvania sections.  Another is Deer Road which can be accessed off of PA 94 (Baltimore Pike) or Impounding Dam Road. (traveling south-east from Old Westminster Road)  Deer Road is a narrow gravel affair and hardly traveled by motor vehicles except perhaps for the two residences just west of the Baltimore Pike.

I can sit for hours and never see another vehicle west of the two houses. The road is heavily forested except for a logged section to the north and beyond an area of thick tall pines which is the primary tree of this forested area. There is however dense vegetation along the forest floor and very popular with the always vocal Ovenbird who seems to be forever present during the breeding season.

scarlet tanager female

We all are overwhelmed by,  and adore the brilliant cool “reds” of the Scarlet Tanager,  but hardly pay homage to the female of the species.  I found this young lady perched on a low bush below the pine canopy along Deer Road.  She was quite the camera ham and seemed to enjoy my company,  even with the flash firing away.  For a good exposure and color depth, a flash is a necessity along Deer Road!!

type leaf RFor those birding with a good spotting scope or photographing with a long telephoto lens,  a few of the standing dead trees in the logged section provide homes for the resident Red-headed and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Other Woodpecker species within the watershed include the Hairy, Downy and the Pileated.

The rest of the roads that provide access to and travel through the Watershed are productive as well but care must be exercised in pulling off to the side and parking as most are heavily traveled. Also a suitable road shoulder to support a motor vehicle is at a minimum!

Yellow-belliedFlycatcher1304

One of,  if not the most exciting find of the 2013 fall migration,  was the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (pictured above);  and only just a few minutes from home at that!   I have been searching for this species for the past five years and wanted so badly to be able to includes its portrait to my past blog article, “The Flycatchers” which documented this interesting family of birds.  “Wow” was this bird a surprise!  The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher breeds much farther north of this area and migrating birds present the only opportunities for one’s observation and photography within my region of the United States. 

Codorus State Park, Morningstar Road (Pennsylvania)

type leafDeparting the Hanover Watershed and traveling about ten minutes east in southern York County Pennsylvania, Codorus State Park affords numerous opportunities for some excellent birding and photography throughout the seasons. I like to use my vehicle as a “hide” and there is a small gravel road that traces the northern border of the park and provides me with wonderful chances to get that “great photo” of numerous species. cerulean warbler

“Now you see me and now you don’t!”  This Cerulean Warbler (pictured above) was an inspiring find along Morningstar Road this fall, however he only gave me a short opportunity for a single image!  I took the picture and then checked the histogram on the camera LCD for exposure and looked back up and he was gone!  So what you see is what you get!!!   I heard their familiar song during the spring but hadn’t laid eyes on the bird.  Perhaps he is breeding at this location.  

type leaf RTraveling south from the Hanover borough, and east along PA Route 216, Morningstar Road will be your third left after crossing the third bridge over the arms of Lake Marburg.  This little road travels east for about a mile or so and ends at its junction with Skyview Drive.   It follows a tiny stream on your left with a mixture of dense vegetation and hardwood forest on both sides for about three-quarters of its length before opening up into pastures and farm land. Black-throatedGreenWarbler1316

The most abundant warbler this past fall (2013) throughout my local haunts was the Black-throated Green (pictured above) and these little rascals where everywhere. I must have photographed over 40 individual members of this species during a six-week period. I can’t recall ever encountering so many of these little guys! The Magnolia usually takes the prize in the “abundance” category…

type leafNavigating Morningstar Road to the east,  the best birding and photography opportunities will be to your left along the stream.  There is a single residence about an eighth-mile on your right that sits back in the woods followed by a farm also to your right near the end of the road.

Most of the right side of the road consists of a steep dirt bank,  whereas the left side with the stream provides more open views and better light. During the late spring and summer,  the heavily wooded canopy can hamper much of the existing natural light and shooting with a flash is almost mandatory!

great crested flycatcher

The above Great Crested Flycatcher is one of several I observed and photographed this fall!  I found these to be a common species for this location over the past few years along with the Least Flycatcher and the Eastern Phoebe.  I’m still hoping for that long sought after Olive-sided Flycatcher which has eluded me to this day!

type leaf RMorningstar Road is a very special favorite of mine during the early spring for wildflowers. The Bloodroot (Sanguinaria) can be found in abundance along the steep dirt bank on the right side of the road. Bloodroot is one of my favorite early blooms along with the Snow Trillium. See “Bloodroot” War Paint and the Medicine Man, an earlier exploration of this lovely wild bloom…

For those exploring the area, and who enjoy narrow and less traveled gravel roads through woodlands,  returning to PA 216 and turning right (south) will take you a short distance to the intersection of Allison Mills Road.  Turn right on Allison Mills Road and follow it southeast to the junction of Blue Hill Road.

Proceed across Blue Hill Road at a very slight angle to the right and onto Lilly Springs Road, a narrow gravel affair traveling though a densely forested area filled with lovely sights and sounds of avian life..  Allison Mills Road, on its own merit, can be highly productive for a variety of species and follows a small stream.

The Kowomu Trail

Like the Hanover Watershed CWMA,  Carroll County Maryland hosts two more of my favorite local birding and avian photography hangouts.  Just 5.2 miles or so below the Mason Dixon Line;  or 8 miles north of the junction of MD 140 in Westminster MD and 14.5 miles south of US Route 15 in Gettysburg PA.   PA/MD 97 (Baltimore/Littlestown Pike) provides access to another narrow gravel road through the rural Maryland countryside and some wonderful birdy habitat.

Northern Parula

A juvenile Northern Parula warbler perches on a low limb next to the bridge over Big Pipe Creek.

type leafAt the junction with MD 97, Saw Mill Road W will travel for a short distance as a paved road down a hill, to a sharp left turn, and across a single-lane deck bridge across Big Pipe Creek and continue as a gravel lane called the Kowomu Trail….

I discovered the Kowomu Trail about 7 years back while looking for owls in my area and have been a regular visitor since!  The section just after crossing the bridge contains woodlands and a brushy stream-side meadow with plenty of cover and food sources for our avian friends. The habitat along the Kowomu Trail can be quite diverse from the previously mentioned to hardwood forests, farmland and a scattering of rural residences with a variety of cultivated flora.

Late summer and early fall brings many species to the Kowomu Trail in not only the migrating warblers but many of the species who actually breed in the area to light.

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A Chipping Sparrow “strikes a pose” near the equestrian trail entrance near the eastern end of the area.

type leaf RThe Sparrows begin to make a showing and are easier to find along the trail with the Chipping, Field and Song being the most common. Also in the area are the White-throated, White-crowned and an occasional Fox Sparrow.

I really need to spend more time on the sparrow species and a Face Book friend from Maryland; Bonnie Coats Ott has given me that inspiration over the past year. She goes by the nickname “Sparrow Bon” and has quite a collection of photographs and sightings.

Field Sparrow

 Just one of many lovely Field Sparrows makes an appearance allowing an excellent photographic opportunity.

type leafOne of my favorite breeding species that seems to be abundant along the trail is the Veery.  With its haunting song and calls one can spend evenings enjoying the symphony of conversation between the different birds present in the area.  They tend to be quite shy and finding them for photographs is not an easy chore.  But once in a “Blue Moon” and with a little luck, you can find one in the open and get that special shot.

Veery1202

As one of my favorites of the Thrush family, I found this Veery perched in the open near the center parking area along the trail. It didn’t seem to mind my intrusion at all and allowed me numerous photographs and time to observe its beauty.

type leaf RBoth of our eastern species of the Oriole family can be found along the trail throughout their breeding and migration seasons, but it seems the Orchard is the most common.  I have heard the Baltimore on numerous occasions but have yet to actually see the bird, more-less photograph it.  But I will continue listening and trying.

Orchard Oriole

A lovely male Orchard Oriole makes an appearance in the same tree along the creek near the bridge as I was photographing the juvenile Northern Parula Warbler. His chest is washed in the vivid copper color of the spring breeding season.

type leafI cannot mention the Kowomu Trail without the recognition of my all time favorite discovery there; the Yellow-breasted Chat.  This species had been a nemesis for years and while photographing a White-eyed Vireo in a brushy area he made his initial appearance.

If you have never experienced their call or song, it seems to be a tune from the “wilds” of Africa or New Guinea.  It is truly interesting with a series of notes and whistles; sort of like that of the Brown Thrasher, less the whistle and far more intuitive and fun.  Classified as a warbler, the Chat is much larger.  I had read somewhere that this classification may change in the future if not already.  I have photographed this fella below over the past three years.

Yellow-breasted chat

A stunning male Yellow-breasted Chat shares his curiosity and beauty with his photographer friend along the Kowomu Trail in Carroll County, Maryland.

The Union Mills Wetland

type leaf RMy final local haunt to share is a mixture of a forest, brush and wetland habitat known as the Union Mills Wetland.  It is a very short distance north of the Kowomu Trail (Sawmill Road) and after passing through the small town of Union Mills.  It’s located off a gravel affair called Brown Road, to your left off MD Route 97 from Westminster.

The wetland is well-known to many locals in the birding community and holds a diverse amount of species although they are not always easy to observe.  I haven’t spent nearly as much time there as I would have liked to, but plan more visits this year and in the future.

blackburnian warbler

A “Surprise” immature Blackburnian Warbler makes an appearance in some shrubbery along the road through the Union Mills Wetland. The Blackburnian in it’s breeding plumage remains a nemesis to me this day as hard as I have tried to find and photograph one in the open.

type leafThe area is a favorite of the local hunters who have permission to enter so plan your visits wisely.  Waterfowl can be prevalent, but the hunting is for the deer in the area.  I do not believe that waterfowl hunting is allowed; at least I have not witnessed any in the past which I am happy to report.

Visiting this area in the early spring can be an experience of “sight and sound” especially with the chorus of Spring peepers and Wood Frogs with the occasional Bull Frog singing bass.  Then you add in the tune of the Least Bittern who might make a visit along with other birds and you have a symphony of nature that will impress the most skeptical of listeners.

blue grosebeak female

Another “Surprise” visitor to the wetlands during the last fall migration was this female Blue Grosbeak. I have never observed either the male or female at this location, but then perhaps again, I need to spend more time there.

type leaf RThe wetland is also a great place for sparrows during the fall, winter and spring and I will highlight three species I didn’t image for the Kowomu Trail.  The king of the wetlands is the Swamp Sparrow (pictured below) and one of my all time favorites.  The grassy areas will hold the Savannah and the woodlands the White-throated Sparrow.  I am sure there are more that I didn’t see or hear at the time.

Swamp Sparrow

“What a Pose” this beautiful species offered his photographer. I must have photographed his frolic for 20 minutes before he finally disappeared into the reeds.

Savannah Sparrow

This lovely Savannah Sparrow made a brief appearance allowing me one image before darting off into the unknown. I had been “graced” with its brief visit.

white-throated Sparrow

“Standing Proud” can be well referenced to this handsome White-throated Sparrow. Common Yes; but always a pleasure to observe and photograph. His Majesty had blessed me with his presence this fine day!

type leafSo I conclude sharing some of my “secret haunts” with my birding, photographic and good friends.  I will perhaps be pistol-whipped by some of my peers for doing so, but sharing has always been my nature and I really didn’t give away the exact locations where I know the birds will be time day after day and I will leave those for you to discover on your own with the dedication I had put into these areas.

I only ask that you keep any disturbance to a “bare minimum” and respect the posted areas of the watershed and other locations.  Wetlands are sensitive areas so leave no footprints.  Birding and photography needs to be kept to the roadways.  Large birding social gatherings within intimate surroundings are a “peeve” of mine and I find them as detrimental to the species as the abusive use of playback or recorded bird songs during the breeding season so I also ask you keep your visits to the small gatherings of a few friends.

I hope you enjoyed my efforts……..Jim Flowerstype leaf R

“DUCKS IN A TUB” … Say it with corn and they will come!!!

Posted by Jim Flowers on November 23, 2013
Posted in: Birding, Birds, Travel. Tagged: Cambridge, Canvasback, Choptank River, Ducks, Eastern Shore, Maryland. 10 Comments

Ducks in a tub title image

Where else can one experience,  observe and photograph wild puddle and diving ducks “up close and personal”; and the price of admission is simply tossing a little corn to stimulate their appetites and interest….    This is a must see and visit for anyone interested in waterfowl and especially those seriously “Hooked on Quack”.

A few points along the Choptank River waterfront and within the city-limits of Cambridge Maryland have been catering to such addictions over the past many years. My first introduction to this “mid-winter” extravaganza took place about 10 years back and I was totally amazed and hooked for life.    I had been enlightened about the “web-footed frolic” by a photographer friend from National Geographic several years before I first experienced this sight on my own.

My initial “ducky” adventure began with a trip down to Maryland’s Eastern Shore and a visit the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge to attend a photography exhibit during the annual open-house of the visitor’s center. As I explored the hall and the photography on display,  I noticed numerous images of “diving ducks” and many seemed to have been captured at one special location.   My curiosity was about to kill me and I longed to know just where these fantastic pictures were taken.   I strolled through the photographic displays casually chatting with the exhibitors and commenting on their work.

Most photographers are pretty “tight-lipped” about their sources so respectfully I didn’t question their means. Near the end of my visit,  I decided to purchase a new migratory duck stamp from the refuge store and during the purchase I made a comment to the sales woman about some of the Canvasback images I had admired and I sure would like to know where they were taken. She immediately smiled and replied,   “Those are from Oakley Street over on the Choptank waterfront!”;  as if there was no secret and this was certainly not the first time someone had asked!  She then filled me in on the annual winter event and that I shouldn’t miss out.

On my way out of the show, I stopped to admire a large portrait of a Great Horned Owl and met photographers,  Larry Hitchens and Curtis Brandt.    I commented on the owl and then asked if either had any information or directions on how to get to Oakley Street.   Curtis smiled and said he was on his way over there and I could follow him!   So it began;  two great friendships and a heck of a fun yearly winter experience.

Besides Oakley Street, Curtis gave me a short tour of a few more local “hot-spots” along the waterfront. Over ten years have now passed, and my knowledge of the area has grown by leaps and bounds. I found the Oakley Street location popular with birding enthusiasts, avian photographers and tourists;  along with the locals and their children who enjoyed feeding the ducks and this seemed to have been the case for many seasons and long before my first visit. I have even seen duck hunters, still clad in their camouflage from the morning hunt,  stop by to take a gander at the “spectacle” and variety of species present.

Photogs image

Duck photographer’s wall of shame???  “Perhaps a little”;  but I’m as guilty as the rest!!!!! But then again,  where else can you take a camera and have “all of your ducks in a row?” (Pun intended)

The “wall of shame” is sort of pet name given by a few of the waterfowl photography purists who insist on a wilder and more natural setting.   However, these birds are wild and just a little “belly satisfaction” has been guaranteed over the past years by the seemingly constant food source delivered by their human visitors.  (Notice the can and bag of corn in a couple of the above images) Photographically speaking,  it’s a wonderful place for those of us “focal length” challenged to easily fill the frame with even the most modest of camera and lens combinations.

Don’t let the “big guns” pictured above fool you.   These folks are mostly after flight shots of distant ducks, and not those playing less than a few feet from the wall.   You can take awesome detailed images with your smart-phone or family “point n shoot” with little effort.

“Bird in flight” photography seems to be the craze and almost an obsession with today’s waterfowl photographers,  especially since the advent of the digital camera,  and especially those cameras capable of “machine-gunning” exposures with extremely high frame-per-second rates…

Back in the old days of film, that could get rather expensive and quality seemed more important than quantity.    That’s not saying the digital realm is any easier, as you still pretty much have to have a grip on exposure and lighting. Obtaining a good exposure of a fast flying bird with a changing background can be a challenge for any photographer.   Then you add a light bird against a dark background or vice-versa which can wreak havoc on the “reflective” in-camera meter giving forever changing exposures and thus causing the photographer to constantly keep a thumb on the exposure compensation dial!

Many,  including yours truly,  prefer to use a “handheld” exposure meter and take an “incident” reading of the actual light source and shoot in pure manual eliminating a lot of the guesswork in obtaining a workable exposure.   Back-lit subjects are a whole other ball game! Back to the “wall of shame” and again “perhaps”,  but I have seen quite a few images from this location published and bless the covers of local and national magazines.

ducks ducks and more ducks

Canvasback 7

Seven primary species of ducks make up the “hungry clan” that can be found just inches away from the wall on the Oakley Street waterfront along the Choptank River.   These include the Canvasback,  Lesser and Greater Scaup,  American Wigeon,  Red Head (a few on occasion), Mallard and the American Black Duck.   Canada geese are often present and a rare visit by a few Tundra Swans can add to the menagerie.   Then there are the “surprises” that can occur by perhaps a Eurasian visitor or two making an unexpected debut.

“You never quite know who will show and join the fun!” For those birding enthusiast with spotting scopes;  or photographers with the longer lenses, species like the Common Goldeneye,  Buffleheads,  Long-tailed duck  (Old Squaw),   Scoters (Surf and the less common White-winged and Black) and others can be observed farther out in the main river.   I can remember a rare Barrows Goldeneye present for a few days one year. The above species seem rather timid and rarely make an appearance close to shore.

A host of Gull species are forever present and some can be quite interesting.  A fly over by a Bald Eagle (common on many occasions) will add excitement to the moment by causing the ducks to take flight to avoid becoming “a sitting duck” (more pun intended) and an easy meal for a hungry raptor.   The ducks will launch, circle and will return soon as the danger has passed giving the flight photographers opportunities for excellent captures of their return and landing approach.   But for most visitors to the Oakley location and other points along the river,  the Canvasback is king!!!

canvasback title

Canvasback 1

Of the largest “Bay Ducks”,  the Canvasback is the prize for visiting waterfowl enthusiast and “ducky” photographers along the Cambridge waterfront.   The drake (male) is the standout with a beautiful deep brownish/red-head and white back feathers.

Diver hunting is steeped in tradition along the Chesapeake Bay and the “Can” was the top draw. During the fifties roughly 250,000 Canvasbacks wintered along the Chesapeake Bay and represented one half of the wintering North American population; and then by the mid nineteen-eighties,  only about 50,000 called the Chesapeake their winter home.”

Throughout the 19th century the Canvasback was considered excellent table fare and the birds were commercially harvested using large-bore shotguns and batteries of cannon and “punt” guns to assault the large rafts of canvasbacks on the bay,   killing dozens of birds with a solitary shot.   The dressed birds were then shipped to restaurants from Baltimore to Boston and all in between.

This unregulated over-harvesting was almost an end to the once abundant population along the eastern seaboard.  Commercial hunting came to an abrupt halt with passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which empowered the federal government to set seasons and bag limits on the hunting of all migratory game birds.

Canvasback 2

Recreational hunting today has an impact;  especially the illegal hunting of females due to hunters misidentifying the canvasback hen as a female mallard,  “but then if you can’t identify your game,   you shouldn’t hunt without supervision and someone calling the shots.”    The hunting impact of today is only minor compared to that of yesteryear.

At present,  habitat degradation (wintering, migratory and summer nesting grounds) and the decline of water quality in the Chesapeake Bay due to increased sedimentation from erosion has caused a dramatic decline in Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV), including wild celery (Vallisneria americana);  a main staple of the canvasback by reducing light penetration.

This and other toxins entering their food supply along with disturbance from shoreline development and recreational activities has become a detriment for canvasbacks as well as many other species of waterfowl.

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It’s not all “gloom and doom” for the Canvasback and the Chesapeake Bay.   The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is the leading organization enlisted in massive restoration projects for water quality,  wetland habitat and fisheries restoration and has all the neighboring states involved.

Many recreational hunters are taking a more active role today with adherence to the stricter bag limits and with either actual physical involvement in habitat improvements or with financial contributions to many of the leading edge conservation organizations such as Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl.

Perhaps one day in the future we will again witness huge clouds of canvasbacks filling our sky’s over the Chesapeake Bay!!!!!

Canvasback 4

Canvasbacks are normally the latest to arrive along the Choptank River waterfront,  but this is based on weather and food sources available along their route of migration.  I have observed the first birds as early as mid December or as late as mid January.

Last year (2012) it seemed to be near the end of January before their numbers peaked and their presence looked to be down a little as well.   But perhaps they may have been scattered throughout more locations along the river and bay.

Canvasback 3

No matter their numbers present,  they’re always a wonder to observe, photograph and share a few tidbits of corn with.    Watching their feeding behavior is a joy in its own right as the splashing frenzy of red and white brings life to the Choptank River waterfront.

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Canvasback Notes

The preferred breeding habitat of the canvasback lies within the Prairie Pothole Region of North America and extends northward through the sub-arctic river deltas in Saskatchewan and the Alaskan interior.   They prefer to nest over water on permanent prairie marshes surrounded by emergent vegetation,  such as cattails and bulrushes; which provide protective cover. Canvasbacks migrate through the Mississippi Flyway and then branch off to their wintering grounds in the Mid-Atlantic region and the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV).

The birds farther west,  use the Pacific Flyway to wintering grounds along the coast of California.   Historically,  the Chesapeake Bay wintered the majority of canvasback population within the United States. Today the canvasback population seems to have stabilized and seem to be  increasing, although they are no where as common as they once were.  Scientific research and species studies have now shown that by the 1970’s  four fifths of the ducks’ diet was made up of Baltic clams, which are very common in the Chesapeake Bay.

The ducks have been able to adapt to the decline in SAV by changing their diet.   Unfortunately,  redhead ducks,  which also feed on SAV tubers,  have not been able to adapt, and their populations continue to remain low.

American Wigeon title

american wideon1

One of the earliest duck species to arrive at the Oakley Street location,  the American Wigeon is forever a welcome sight.   “Colorful to say the least”,  along with their high-pitched whistling “squeaky toy” for a call,  they are a charm of sight and sound.   I have always found this species intriguing.  And when I use the term “colorful”,  I’m not just referring  their appearance, but their behavior as well.

They are constant aggressors,  sparing with the other ducks for attention and food. In the beginning,  I found their presence along the salt and brackish Choptank River waterfront somewhat a mystery.   Growing up in Texas,  the Wigeon I had come to know,  mostly inhabit shallow freshwater wetlands, marshes,  rivers,  ponds and lakes.   Perhaps word got out about the popular and free “Corn Soup Kitchen” at the Oakley location.

But after a little thought,  I could see where salt and brackish water habitats made sense and would not seem uncommon during the wintering season.  I tend to forget that most of our waters in Texas hardly if ever see any ice during the winter months.

american wideon4

American Wigeon numbers can vary at Oakley.   I’ve seen days with less than five present and others with more than two dozen swimming around looking for a free meal. The birds always seem to be in pairs as well.  If you see a male,  you will normally see a female close by

The only other location that I have witnessed larger numbers of wigeon besides Texas was a small creek near my home here in Pennsylvania.   It was not unusual to observe fifty to sixty on any given winter’s day.  They are a prevalent species in the Mid-Atlantic and perhaps I haven’t looked hard enough or have been the wrong locations.

american wideon3

I remember friends here in the area using the name “Baldpate”  in some of our early hunting conversations and had no idea as to the reference.  Once enlightened,  it made sense due to the white bald-like marking on the drake wigeon’s forehead as pictured above.  I guess this just goes to show how limited my waterfowl knowledge and vocabulary had been in the past. But then I still refer to the Long-tailed duck as the “Old Squaw” and Lesser and Greater Scaup as “Bluebills”   I would also always spell the name wigeon with the “d”…(widgeon)!!!!  I suppose I’m not alone because my “spell-checker” is going nuts trying to insist on adding the “d” at present!

american wideon2

American Wigeon Notes

The American Wigeon breeds throughout the north-western portion of the United States, with the heaviest concentrations in the Dakota’s,  Montana,  Idaho and Washington State.   Breeding pairs can also be found as far south as northeastern California and northern Colorado and as far north as Alaska and the Northwest Territories in northern Canada.

During migration the American Wigeon can be found in most of the lower 48 states and their route will take them down the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to the Gulf of Mexico and beyond; extending south through Mexico and Central America,  to the northern parts of South America, as well as the Bermuda Islands and Hawaii.   They are rare but regular vagrants to Britain and as far as northeastern Siberia and Japan. During the winter months,  they are found most often near freshwater wetlands,  lakes,  rivers, marshes and protected estuaries and bays, with abundant plant-life for feeding.

American Wigeon have a largely vegetarian diet consisting of the stems,  roots and leafy parts of aquatic plants,  such as musk grasses and bushy pond-weed;  as well as grasses and various agricultural plants. To a lesser extent,  they will forage on various aquatic insects, such as damselflies and caddis flies,  as well as certain crustaceans,  mollusks and terrestrial insects, including beetles.  “And let’s not forget corn!”

Greater Scaup title

greater scaup d1

Another of my favorites,  and “Bluebills” as I call them,  are fun to observe and photograph.   The Lesser Scaup seem to outnumber the Greater Scaup during my visits to the Choptank waterfront.  They can be hard to tell apart as well,  but following a few guidelines makes the ID a little easier. The Greater’s head is more rounded and less “peaked” than that of the lesser and I find the greater with more whites.

The head and neck of the Greater tends to have the dull green sheen as well but that’s not always a 100% reliable for a proper ID as I have photographs of the Lesser shown here with that same dull green sheen.   The Greater has a wider bill with a larger nail that tends to be more triangular,  whereas the Lesser’s bill is tapered with a smaller nail.   The white wing stripe of the Greater extends to the primaries while the white wing stripe of the Lesser is only to the secondaries.   The Greater female also has a larger white patch at the base of the bill.

Do I have you totally confused here,  or can we just agree a scaup is a scaup!!!

greater scaup h1

My first encounters with the scaup species where back in my hunting days along the Potomac River near Fort Washington in Prince Georges County Maryland and then along some of the creeks in Charles and St. Mary’s Counties farther to the south.   I had seen scaup in Texas and Louisiana,  but as a hunter my primary quarry was that of the Teal,  Pintail,  Mottled Duck, Mallard and an occasional Wigeon.

greater scaup h2

I since have pretty much given up the gun for the camera and thoroughly enjoy exploring and photographing the variety of species that bless our natural world.   I now enjoy a 365 day waterfowl season.   You can still “camo” up,  toss out a few decoys in the early morning marsh,  blow a few notes on the call and enjoy the hunting experience without firing a shot from the old scatter-gun! I still very much love the waterfowling tradition and miss it immensely,  but most of my hunting buddies are long  gone along with my dad who taught me the tradition and the respect for our natural resources.

Lesser Scaup title

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Scaup Notes

The Greater Scaup’s preferred breeding habitat is on the ground by lakes and bogs and on the tundra near the northern limits of the boreal forest across Arctic and sub arctic regions of northern North America,  Europe and Asia.  Greater Scaup populations have been on a steady decline in North America since the 1990’s.   Biologists and conservationists are unsure of the reason, but some believe that a parasitic trematode found in snails may be to blame.

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The Lesser Scaup prefers inland lakes and marsh ponds on tundra from Alaska through western Canada to western Montana.   A few breed east of James Bay and the Great Lakes. Notable breeding concentrations,  with more than half a million birds at the peak of the season, can be found in Alaska, within the woodlands of the McKenzie River valley and on the Old Crow Flats.

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Both the Greater and Lesser Scaup migrate south using the Central and Mississippi Flyways and then branch off from there.   Migration begins shortly after their young have fledged and the birds return to the breeding grounds in the early spring;  usually during the month of May. Lesser Scaup are typically found in freshwater or slightly brackish habitats and unlike Greater Scaup,  rarely are seen offshore when unfrozen freshwater habitat is available.

Thousands of Lesser Scaup winter each year on the Topolobampo lagoons in Mexico, and even in the southernmost major wintering location,   Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta in Colombia where hundreds of birds can be seen.

redhead title

Redhead 1

The Redhead duck is a favorite among the photographers and birding enthusiasts at the Oakley Street location, although only a few may be present at any given time during the peak of the activity.   They blend in well with the hundreds of canvasbacks and can be difficult to spot. I cannot recall observing more than two to three males during my visits and the females are even harder to distinguish from the female cans.

I usually find more members of this species in some of the more remote Blackwater Refuge ponds,  creeks and slews in that area. The largest concentration I have ever witnessed in the north-east was in a small lake along Interstate 81, just above Cortland New York and the observation took place just this past fall on my way to Syracuse.  There were hundreds and it was a sight to behold.

I have also observed several dozen in the past near my home,  on Lake Marburg at the Codorus State Park and along Conewago creek in the nearby area. Another productive area to find the Redhead is along the Little Juanita River and especially along the tail-race below the Raystown Lake Dam.  I have seen nice numbers present quite a few times,  but the birds seem to be in transit and only remain for a short period.

Redhead 3

I have observed decent Redhead numbers in Texas and Louisiana,  but more often on the large freshwater lakes like Toledo Bend,  Sam Rayburn and Livingston in the eastern part of the state than along the coast.  Toledo Bend sits on the border of Texas and Louisiana and maintains large open areas of water and lots of aquatic vegetation which these ducks prefer as a food source. I do remember spotting a small raft of these birds on Offats Bayou on Galveston Island a few years back. No matter the location, the Redhead is a wonderful and colorful subject for the avian photographer!

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Redhead Notes

Along with the diving ducks above,  Redheads breed in the northern and northwestern prairies of the United States and Canada to Alaska in the north and Colorado to the south. Their preferred habitat includes marshy freshwater lakes,  ponds,  slow-moving rivers and wetlands within the prairie regions.   The primary diet of the Redhead includes the leaves, stems,  seeds and roots of aquatic plants.   However many aquatic invertebrates are also eaten,  especially during the summer months.

While also using the Central and Mississippi Flyways as the initial routes of travel,  the Redhead winters on sheltered salt and brackish coastal bays and estuaries and inland lakes across the southern US,  from California to Florida and south into Mexico.

occasional sightings

Although the above species are the most popular with visitors and the photographers at close range,  the number of species present on the river can be amazing.  Birders and their “high powered” spotting scopes have the best opportunity to add a new subject to their “life lists” at any given time by scanning the distant waters!   But on rare occasions,  these somewhat timid species find their way close to shore for a picture or two and nearby observation.  Also keep a keen eye out for the rare or not so common species that appear on occasion.

Other popular duck species along the Choptank River include the Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck,  Hooded and Common Merganser,  Long-tailed Duck (Old Squaw) and White-winged,  Black and Surf Scoters.  And then of course,  the Mallard and American Black duck can be seen at any time.

Swans include the Tundra and an occasional Mute while Canada Geese seem to always be present nearby and I have observed an Atlantic Brant at a nearby location.  I will highlight a few of the other species I have been able to photograph over the past years at the Oakley Street location.

surf scoter title

surf scoter 2

The Surf Scoter or “Skunk-headed Coot” is my favorite and most colorful of the “Scoter’s” and a fun find along the Cambridge waterfront.  You normally have to look far out into the river to see this species.

Upon returning from a Thanksgiving trip to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge,  friend Eric Gerber and I decided to stop and visit the Choptank waterfront to check and see if any of our duck friends were present.  It was still very early for the “divers” but we thought we’d take a gander in any case.

We parked at the Oakley location and noticed a Surf Scoter family rather close to shore, just to the west of the concrete wall and swimming in  a westerly direction.  So we hopped back into our vehicles and drove to the next street over with shoreline access, parked and slowly walked to the waterfront with cameras in hand hoping to get positioned before the scoter’s approached.

We had to literally skulk and hide along the concrete bulkhead and wait for the birds to come into range.  After we managed a few captures, the birds discovered our presence,  bolted and made a hasty retreat.  Eric by far got the better pictures with a longer lens,  but I was happy just to get a close glimpse and a few “snaps” of these beautiful birds, more less any “great” images.

surf scoter 1

The Surf Scoter is a black and white sea duck with a boldly patterned head and is common along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts during the winter months.  It breeds in the shallow lakes of the Boreal forest and tundra of the north.  However the young “non-breeding” and immature birds may decide not travel to the breeding grounds and spend their summer primarily along marine coasts southward to Baja California and New Jersey, where they frequent bays and estuaries. I have spotted immature birds along the Jersey shore on many occasions during my spring and summer travels for shorebirds.

tufted duck title

“Accidental Exposure”,,, Yep!  Quite by accident;  and I didn’t realize I had taken his picture until I returned home and was going through the images during my post-processing. The Maryland birding “list-serve” was hopping with sightings of this rare visitor back in 2009 who breeds across Eurasia, from Iceland and the British Isles and east across Russia and Siberia to the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Commander Islands.

Tufted duck

Who would have imagined he’d been lounging with a flock of Scaup along the Choptank shoreline,  right at the Oakley Street hangout!  There were just a few of us hardcore avian photographers there braving the winter chill with no one from the “birding crowd” present to enlighten our experience.  But then most of the sighting reports I had read took place near the Holiday Inn on Kent Island and the Narrows!

As a somewhat novice “birder”, (and I use that term loosely) it would have been difficult for me to isolate and ID this guy within the hundreds of “look-alike” ducks cruising the wall looking for a free meal!  I may know my ducks,  but finding the “Dennis the Menace” of the waterfowl world takes a keen eye and a lot more knowledge than I had at the time!  But Wow! “There he was in all of his glory and I had to be in front of the computer to realize my fortune!

The drake (male) tufted duck closely resembles his counterpart, the ring-necked duck.  The primary distinction is the tuft of feathers that fall behind the head. Additionally, his sides are white rather than gray and the bill lacks a white margin at the base while in flight a white stripe at the back of the inner wing is displayed.  The female is similar in appearance to the Scaup hen, but is blackish-brown with a smaller patch of white at the base of the bill.  At the back of the head, there is a small protuberance of feathers, which is much smaller than the male’s. There are no breeding records of tufted ducks in North America

Tundra Swan

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The Tundra Swans were a first for me at the Oakley location a few years back!  I normally see these birds feeding in the fields along Egypt Road en-route to the Blackwater refuge or during a fly over above the Choptank River waterfront!  On this occasion,  I guess curiosity “got their goat” and they wanted to see what the ruckus was about with the huge rafts of ducks so close to shore! Or perhaps what these crazy humans were doing while shivering in the cold.

I watched them land a few hundreds out and slowly make their way to shore! Once they discovered the “Good Eats” they quickly made themselves right at home and even were rather aggressive towards being first in line for the “yellow gold” being tossed into the drink! This was as close as I had ever been to a Tundra Swan.  I was tickled at their personalities! You wanted to reach out and pet them!

They’re amazing birds to observe, especially in flight as they portray the “Jumbo Jet” of the waterfowl world and I love their “haunting” calls.  The image above is one of my favorites of the encounter. There were actually 3 of them close to the wall.

goth duck

So who is this guy???  Is it a Mallard?  “No, it’s a Black Duck!”  NADA!! “It’s both!!”  Ya Think??  Yeah, it’s both!!  At least I would guess so with the characteristics of both species all in one nice package.   It could be the new “In Thing” within the waterfowl world!  I’ll tell you though…”It was the biggest darn Mallard I had ever seen!!!   But then I have been known to see rather large Eastern Wood Pewee’s as well.  Talking about an oxymoron… A large/pewee?????

mallard-black mix

I figured I’d toss this “Dennis Rodman” duck image in for good measure and show a little more of the diversity along the waterfront!  Plus it’s a good “kick-starter for the next segment of this article which adds a little spice and good wit!  “Now for the fun!!!!”

Ice Capades

winter wonderland

“Ice Capades”  Not your typical Peggy Fleming or Dorothy Hamil Affair!!!  But, “just as Entertaining and with unlimited belly aching laughs!”…

Butt slides,  belly flops and bill busters abound during the performance;  all on the newly formed “Ice Rink” along the Choptank River waterfront in beautiful downtown Cambridge Maryland… Yes Sir Folks!  “Gather the kiddies,  Grand Ma,  Grand Pa and the Mutt too!”

And don’t forget a sack of corn for that meager price of admission.   All will be thoroughly entertained by the ballet style antics of the web-footed performers as they participate in a game of graceful and precise landings not unlike that infamous British Olympian “Eddie the Eagle.”

telemark landing

It’s been a while since we’ve had had a “real winter” with temperatures cold enough for an extended period of time to bring the ice to the Choptank River waterfront of Cambridge Maryland.  But when this happens,  Oakley Street takes on a whole new perspective with a comical twist as the visiting waterfowl lounge on the ice with the hopes of a morsel or two of corn tossed by their human onlookers.  And then of course some type of disturbance,  usually an Eagle flying overhead,  will cause a massive eruption of the flock to take flight and then return as soon as the threat has passed.

That’s when the fun begins! Watching the ducks return and then attempt some sort of sane landing on their slick runway will bring tons of chokes and almost painful laughs as these creatures make their approach and end up anyway but the right way after touching down on the ice. The Mallards can do this with an ease with the Wigeon coming in a close second,  but the off balance bulk of the Canvasback will bring a glowing smile and chuckle to even a funeral attendant.

perhaps not

Several years back I had made an early afternoon trip down to Dorchester County Maryland and the Blackwater area hoping to photograph the evening Short-eared flight.  I had a few hours to waste so I decide to stop by Oakley Street and take a gander of what might be happening along the waterfront.  I had no idea that the ice had set in so thick.

As Usual, the ducks were all there  gathered at the wall and so was friend Brian Schmidt from the Smithsonian Institution along with a big grin on his face from ear to ear.  He had a jump on me,  watching and photographing the hilarious show.  It wasn’t but a short while and another disturbance took place forcing the birds to once again take flight.  Then as is the norm, the flock circled to make the up-wind approach directly towards us to allow some fantastic and belly-splitting photography and laughter.

I will mention that laughing while trying to concentrate on exposures and composition is not an easy chore.  But it was a lot of fun!

canvasback luge team

SO the next time we get an extended period of  “hard freezing” days you might just plan a trip down to Maryland’s Eastern Shore and the Cambridge waterfront; and maybe, just maybe you might just get to witness the “Funniest Show on Earth” and the “Duckiest Olympics”,  all just a few feet before your eyes!!!! Just don’t forget the price of admission!!!!!!

dammit

If you would like to see more of the fun, just follow this Link and enjoy a slideshow:

getting there

Getting to Cambridge and the Choptank River Waterfront is quite easy!  From points north simply head towards Ocean City on US Route 50 after the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and head south.  Turn right at the first traffic light, Maryland Avenue (first major intersection) after crossing the Choptank River and travel east across a drawbridge and follow the side-streets to the shoreline. (See Map Below)

From points south, simply reverse the directions and turn left on Maryland Avenue, just before the bridge across the Choptank River.

I have marked the points of interest/waterfowl viewing areas on the map.  All can be productive for observing the wintering waterfowl and all provide access to the waterfront with normally sufficient parking at the location or close by!  Both Oakley Street and Great Marsh Park are good for close-up photography with Oakley Street being the “highlight” of the area.

The circle near the marina at the eastern side of Long Wharf Park can be productive as well. Remember that all of these locations are located within residential areas so please be respectful at all times to any landowner’s wishes.  All it will take is one inconsiderate individual for the city of Cambridge to  post “No Parking”and/or “No Trespassing” signs and ruin this for all of us!!!

Waterfowl viewing map

photographically speaking

As I mentioned before, you don’t need to have thousands of dollars invested in photographic gear to reap the benefits of fantastic waterfowl photography along the Choptank River waterfront;  and especially at the Oakley Street Location.  The big expensive telephoto lenses are fine if you’re shooting flying or approaching birds  in the distance! (And you can afford the damn things)

Many times the birds will make an approach and land just a few yards out from the wall, so even the most modest of  telephoto zooms will do the job just dandy!  A lot of folks use a “fast” zoom in the 70-200mm range and the 300mm and 400mm primes are favorites too!  I, and many others will have two camera bodies available with a normal to medium telephoto range on one and a longer lens (500mm +) on the other for the distant work.

However,  the most important items for a successful Oakley outing are a good warm coat, gloves and a “sack of corn”…

Good light plays the key role for “Great” photography at these locations and the best light for photography occurs between 11AM and sunset.  For the “lovely blue water color”,  a sunny day is tops and for the best detail in the birds, and especially for exceptional detail in the whites of the Canvasback, a high-thin overcast is the ticket!  But a good technique and knowledge of exposure will yield good results on both occasions!  Shutter-speed and an adequate aperture are the main-stays for the flying birds!

I will mention that a strong northwesterly blow will all but ruin your outing so make sure to check the marine forecast before making the trip!

So what’s holding you back??  “Come on Down!!!”………….. Jim Flowers

“The Bitterns” Hide and Seek in America’s Wetlands

Posted by Jim Flowers on July 3, 2013
Posted in: Birding, Birds, Coastal Birds, Travel. 1 Comment


Bittern Title Image2

“Hide and seek in America’s wetlands” is somewhat an understatement with the bittern,  as a visual opportunity will most likely present itself as “Now you see me and now you don’t” or you may not see me at all!  Like the elusive Rails,  Bittern’s are secretive birds…  This is not to say the chance of observing and/or photographing a member of the bittern family is impossible.  Both the American and Least bittern are covert,  stealthy and blend well into their surroundings.  Their movements are smooth and precise while stalking prey in the wetland grasses and reeds.   Most common sightings of these secretive birds  usually occur during their flight from one location to another.

Another way of locating a bittern is by sound,  although I tend to find the American bittern not as vocal as the Least.  During the early spring,  I had read reports of a “vocalizing” Least bittern at the Union Mills Wetland located in northern Carroll County Maryland, very close to my home.  I visited the area numerous times during the dawn and late evening hours and heard the vocalizations on several occasions,  but without catching a glimpse of the bird.  I even tried a short duration of a recorded playback during one visit to no avail.  The bird would answer,  but he was perfectly happy with his well concealed location.

On another occasion,   good friend and fellow photographer  Larry Hitchens had located a Least bittern skulking in the grasses near the shoreline of the Bear Swamp Pool at the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna Delaware.  Once he located the bird, Larry gave me a call on my cell phone to notify me of his find.  We met up and both sat and photographed the bird for over an hour while other refuge visitors and photographers drove by without a notice that the bird was there.  “They do blend right into their surroundings with their brownish streaked camouflage”;  and if not for Larry’s “eagle eye”,  I would have most likely missed the bird entirely .

American bittern sidelineWe were amused at the passer-by’s because normally if you stop and point a lens at something;  for the sake of curiosity, most folks will usually make it a point to stop to see what you are photographing or observing.  “This by the way drives Larry nuts…..”  I can see his frustration though,  because after spending a lot of time searching for those special opportunities,  having a social gathering show up and spook the subject and cause it to retreat and hide can be rather annoying and has happened on more than one occasion in the past.  National Wildlife Refuges on the east coast can be wonderful places to visit on weekdays,  but the weekends draw crowds and we both tend to avoid these popular public areas and look for remote  back roads and  “off the beaten path” locations to enjoy our photographic adventures

Finding a bittern can happen quite by accident as well!  I had completed one pass around Wildlife Drive at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Dorchester County Maryland and decided to stop for a break and a snack before my second loop.  I took a spur off the drive towards an observation area,  parked and was sitting and enjoying a sandwich when an American bittern flew out of the grass and landed not more than 15 feet from my vehicle on the black-top surface of the road.  (Pictured left)  Perhaps he was into peanut butter and grape jelly and wanted a bite?  But without a care in the world;  and regardless of the fact that I was sitting there,  he just strutted around and let me photograph him for about ten minutes and then off he flew not to be seen again…  This was the one and only American bittern I have seen, more less photographed on the east coast.  I know they are here,  but like with many of my “nemesis birds”,  I often suffer from not being at the right place at the right time,  or perhaps I need to have old “eagle eye” along more often.

Texas has been good to me allowing numerous opportunities to view and photograph both bittern species.  There is hardly a year  I can recall that I didn’t see at least a half-dozen of them during our springtime pilgrimages.  But the ratio of American bittern sightings to that of the Least bittern is still about 1 in 5.  However during the past  year,  the American bittern had unexpectedly taken the prize with more finds.

The American Bittern

american bittern title

I can vividly remember my first encounter with an American bittern,  and the event took place at the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Chambers County Texas,  just a twenty-minute drive from our residence during our visits home.  It happened along the Shovelers Pond loop near the entrance to the boardwalk.  The bird actually startled me at first glance as I had no idea what this strange large streaked thing was!  It was skulking in the grass with a crayfish in its bill. (Pictured below) ) These are not the best of images due to extreme back-lighting, but I felt the encounter was worth taking a chance with the camera.

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Unlike the Least bittern, I rarely find the American bittern along the popular Shovelers Pond loop,  but more often along the gravel routes and sloughs that lead to the remote Galveston Bay boat launch and Frozen Point.  As I noted above,  it’s quite easy to drive right past them without a notice of their presence.

american bittern 1A

On September 13th, 2008,  Hurricane Ike devastated the Texas coast and all but destroyed the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge with what was recorded as a 22 foot storm surge in the Galveston area that sent flooding salt-water miles inland.  But with the infamous Texas resilience and persistence of the refuge staff and hundreds of volunteers,  the refuge has made a comeback to a somewhat normal existence and is getting better as time passes.  To have seen the refuge shortly after Ike and to see it today,  is what one would have thought impossible.

Two more Texas favorites are members of the Texas Mid-Coast Refuge Complex and include the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge located in Brazoria County,  just east of the towns of Freeport and Surfside and the San Bernard Wildlife Refuge,  west of the town of Lake Jackson,  and sharing acreage within both Brazoria and Matagorda counties.  Both refuges allow ample opportunities to view both bittern species on a regular basis.

Between the two,  the San Bernard refuge is my favorite simply due to its diversity and the lack of “human kind” during most of my visits.  Even a weekend day can be spent in somewhat solitude,  especially during the early morning hours.  You can pretty much “bank” on spotting one if not several American bitterns along the 3-mile Moccasin Pond Loop which is included as part of the 8-mile Cocklebur Slough Auto Tour.

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Moccasin Pond holds smorgasbord of wading birds throughout the year along with a few very large alligators so keeping your distance from the water’s edge is highly advisable at all times. The pond didn’t get its name by accident either as venomous snakes are routinely present as well.  I have had my encounters with both snakes and alligators at this refuge with the latter projecting itself as a rather scary and “rude awakening” one early morning trying to get closer to an American Bittern near the pond shoreline.  The alligator did nothing wrong,  as he was just “doing his thing”  looking for food;  and I wanted no part of becoming his breakfast.  He was a “big fella”;  every-bit of 12 feet in length,  if not more!

I have found most of the American bitterns at the beginning of the Moccasin pond,  near its narrowest point and then a hundred yards or so beyond.  However,  you may encounter this species anywhere along the length of the pond.  Dawn and dusk are prime times for viewing, but the best light for photography is during the morning hours due to the angle of the sun.  A nice bright overcast can be wonderful and offer a full day of photography,  less the harsh light and back-lighting of sun-lit days after the morning hours.

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The Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge can be productive for both bittern species,  but if my memory serves me correctly,  the Least bittern seems to be “king of the hill’ and the most prevalent.  Unlike the San Bernard refuge,  Brazoria tends to see more visitors along with outdoor education aimed at school children.  I have noted many “outdoor classrooms” during my weekday visits over the past years and this is a wonderful thing!  It’s enlightening to see youngsters exploring the great outdoors instead of having their eyes glued to a video game.

However,  as with San Bernard,  early morning visits can be rewarded with lovely solitude and be shared alone with nature during its finest hours!  The Big Slough Auto Tour provides access to many areas along unimproved roads throughout a variety of habitats from coastal prairie to marsh.  Both bittern species can be found anywhere  along the Big Slough and refuge freshwater ponds.  Pictured below is a Brazoria American Bittern with a “catch of the day”

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A Brief American Bittern Biology

American bittern sideline 2The American Bittern is a member of the family ARDEIDAE which contains the groups; Herons, Bitterns and Egrets;  and follows the species order Ciconiiformes.   My encounters with the American bittern have been a “single bird only” experience and birding resources list the bird as “almost always solitary and can be difficult to see”…. The American bittern is “subjectively” migratory,  where as the birds in the more northern reaches of their territories and where the water will freeze, become strongly migratory;  and birds farther south in more tempered climates,  will remain all year-long.

The preferred breeding habitat of the American bittern includes fresh-water marshes with tall vegetation.  During the winter months they can be occasionally found in brackish marshes near the coast and managed areas such as wildlife refuges tend to be favored. They forage upon insects ,  fish,  crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles,  and small mammals.

Unlike most wading birds that “flush” when approached or threatened;   the American bittern will freeze in its place or hunker down until the danger has passed.  Disturbances by the boating public and acid precipitation degrading watery habitats of  sensitive marine life are both potential threats to the population, but the most significant threat is habitat loss due to our vanishing wetlands.   The population has declined throughout much of the United States.

The Least Bittern

least bittern title

“To say the Least” (pun intended) bittern is an easy bird to find,  even as common as the species may be,  would be stretching the truth on my part;  although I have experienced many encounters with this species.  I previously mentioned my latest attempt here near my home and within the Union Mills Wetland in Carroll County Maryland was a total bust.  This tiny member of the heron family is by far a master of visual deception through its ability to “blend in” with its surroundings and like the American bittern;  will freeze in its place at the hint of danger or presence of any approaching intruders.

It requires a keen eye and knowledge of the bird’s preference of habitat to begin looking for this species and then a lot of patience as well!  Many of the “refuge racers” looking for the obvious avian standouts will pass them by more often than not and its fine with me as it is usually to my benefit.

“Refuge Racer” is a pet name of sort that I use loosely to describe  visitors that travel the refuge roadways a little too fast to fully enjoy all the area has to offer.

The image above was captured during a previously mentioned outing with friend Larry Hitchens at the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware.  Bombay Hook , along with other federal and state refuges,  and wildlife management areas in Delaware,  are excellent locations to seek and find the least bittern.  At Bombay Hook,  the Shearness Pool and Bear Swamp Pool are good starting points to explore for the least bittern.  Look for the thickest patches of reeds along the water’s edge and observe closely for a few extra moments for any unusual movement in the grasses and reeds.  If you spot a somewhat darker spot in the vegetation you might just discover this little guy. Sometimes they can be found out in the open along the water’s edge, especially just around dawn and in the late evening.

The Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Texas has been my “hot-spot” for the Least bittern in the past,  especially before Hurricane Ike and the most recent “human kind” improvements and the paving of the Shovelers Pond loop.  However,  now with most of the construction complete,  the refuge offers excellent opportunities to observe and photograph this species.

“Gone Fishing”

least bittern 2

The refuge vegetation is recovering well from the past salt-water contamination and once again creating prime bittern habitat for both species.  The image segments above, which I have titled “Gone Fishing”,  were captured along the Shovelers Pond loop during the early spring and prior to the hurricane’s devastation.

Other productive areas around the Anahuac refuge include the fresh-water ditches and sloughs along Cross Road and West Line Road (leading to a remote bay boat launch) and Frozen Point Road.  Just look for swathes of thicker vegetation and reeds.  The image below was captured at the junction of Cross Road and West Line Road.  This Least bittern was in his full breeding plumage.   Again,  all of these routes may offer opportunities for both species so look carefully and drive very slowly.

Anahuac’s Skillern tract is also a good candidate for both bittern species.

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Again I have to give credit to the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge for excellent opportunities for both bittern species and some of my better Least bittern “portraits”.   Both species can be found almost anywhere along the tour routes with freshwater ditches,  ponds and sloughs;  and tall patches of vegetation critical for concealment.  One of the better areas to look for the Least at the San Bernard refuge is near the end of the Moccasin pond where the road makes the first 90 degree left turn. Here you will find a narrow slough with tall reeds and grasses providing ideal bittern habitat.  The image below was photographed at the beginning of the Moccasin pond and just several yards away from an American Bittern.

least bittern 1

The final images of the Least bittern below were captured at the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge along the main tour route and near the narrower sections of the ponds with the tallest vegetation.  Brazoria has numerous areas like this;  too many to list.  Unlike the solitude of San Bernard,  Brazoria can become quite busy with visitors on nice spring days so an early dawn arrival is best for finding this bird in the open.  You still have to travel slowly and look closely to observe them; a point I can’t stress enough.

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Sometime we get lucky and the light is just right with a warm morning glow;  and your subject participates and poses in his most flattering manner. (Below)  I never grow tired of photographing the bittern species;  no matter how many images I have archived away…….

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A Brief Least Bittern Biology

least bittern sidebarAs the smallest member of the heron group,  and the family ARDEIDAE;  and the species order Ciconiiformes,  the Least Bittern breeds throughout much of the central and eastern United States;  with the exception of the Appalachian Mountains.  However,  I have read or heard of sightings in some of the foot-hill wetland areas.

Its preferred breeding habitat includes dense fresh-water wetlands and brackish marshes that support cattails, tall grasses,  reeds and clumps of woody plants over deep water providing thick cover.  The Least bittern and American bittern can often be found occupying the same wetland area,  but experience little interaction because of foraging differences,  preferred prey, and breeding cycles. Unlike the American bittern that prefers the shallower marsh and wetland areas,  the Least bittern is perfectly at home in the deeper wetlands because of its ability to straddle reeds;  and can feed in water that would be too deep for the wading habits of other herons.

The Least bittern may be hard to find but is not rare by any means with up to 15 nests per hectare.  The nest consists of an elevated platform housing an overhead canopy,  and is built of emergent aquatic vegetation and sticks.  Males and females appear to help equally in rearing the young.

An interesting fact from the Cornell website is that John James Audubon once noted that a young captive Least Bittern was able to walk with ease between two books standing 1.5 inches (4 cm) apart. When dead, the bird’s body measured 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) across, indicating that it could compress its breadth to an extraordinary degree.

The Least Bittern was first described in 1789 by Johann Friedrich Gmelin,  a German naturalist, botanist and entomologist.

Jim Flowers

“Bloodroot” … War Paint and the Medicine Man

Posted by Jim Flowers on June 26, 2013
Posted in: Blooms. 13 Comments

Bloodroot title image

Exploring our natural world can be rewarding and an educational experience.  Things are constantly changing with the seasons so every outing poses new experiences and discoveries. Exploring and photographing wildflowers throughout the spring,  summer and fall months can yield a variety of species to keep the most avid nature photographer busy composing and clicking away at the camera’s shutter and capturing lovely colorful images of many shapes and sizes in a broad spectrum of habitats. But to the aspiring naturalist/photographer like me, capturing an image of a pretty wildflower is just a part of the adventure and fun.

Learning to identify the species,  their natural history, original origin (native or non-native) and adaptation to their habitat;  along with their interaction with human kind and wildlife can compliment the overall experience and at times can become quite fascinating.  It’s truly amazing that a small thing with such a “short-lived beauty” can contribute so much to our daily existence, whether it is a food source, herbal or medicinal in value.

I was brought up with rich Native American roots by a grandmother who would very often practice her Lakota ways and teach me that every living thing;  plant or animal; had a special purpose and place in our natural world.  Over the past years I have developed an interest in plants and wildflowers and began to research their contributions to  Native Americans and the early settlers.

Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot)

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Sanguinaria canadensis or Bloodroot (common name) is one of the first beautiful wildflowers to emerge in the early spring;  usually blooming from March to May and is native to our eastern North American woodlands from Nova Scotia south to Florida where it can be found blooming in the rich woodland soil… Bloodroot is an ephemeral, indicating that it appears above the ground in the early spring,  flowers,  fruits and then dies back to the ground;  all in the space of a couple of months.  Bloodroot is a member of the Papaveraceae family, along with the poppy…. Sanguinaria Canadensis is the sole member of its genus.

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Bloodroot has become a desired addition to many home gardens but as of today, the bloodroot is on the US Department of Agriculture’s list of threatened and endangered species. Shenandoah National Park in Virginia monitors the status of its bloodroot population to prevent illegal poaching. The white blooms of the bloodroot emerge wrapped in a single leaf. (below)  Plants reach 6 to 9 inches high.  The 3-inch blossoms,  which have 8 to 12 petals,  are amazingly large for a spring wildflower and only last for one or two days. The leaves are bluish-gray in color,  6 to 12 inches across,  and scalloped in 5 to 9 uneven lobes.  The leaves persist longer than the flowers,  but disappear by early summer.

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An interesting fact is that the bloodroot relies on ants to spread its seeds.  This is called myrmecochory by botanist and the large black seeds attract ants through an organ called an elaiosome.  The ants will  carry the seeds to their nests and then consume the elaiosomes, discarding the seeds in their nest material and providing an ideal environment for germination. Bloodroot does not present any type of nectar,  but it cleverly tricks pollinators into transporting pollen with its display of bright yellow anthers inside the large white petals.  I have observed the presence of ants many times around the base of the mature plants.

Puccoon,   A Native American History

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Bloodroot is also known as bloodwort or Canada puccoon.  The Algonquin tribe called bloodroot puccoon or paucon,  which meant “blood-red.”   “Puccoon” is one of many American plant names to have a Native American etymology;  as it comes from the Powhatan Indian word poughkone or pohcoons,  which was recorded by early Virginia colonists as meaning “red paint” or “red dye.”  Both this Indian name and the English name “bloodroot” come about because of the red sap bled by the roots of these wildflowers,  which was used by many tribes as a dye for clothing and baskets and for face paint.

The Chippewa would dig up the roots in the fall and used the sap to make brilliant red dyes.   The Iroquois extracted the rhizomes of the bloodroot to make an orange or yellow fabric dye. Other tribes used the red sap to decorate baskets and clothing.  European settlers quickly adopted the use of bloodroot as a fabric dye.  In the early years of North American settlement, bloodroot was even imported by the French for the purpose of dyeing wool.

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Bloodroot has also been widely used by Native American people as a poison (the bloodroot plant is extremely toxic) and,  in small doses,  as an herbal medication.  In some of the Algonquin communities,  bloodroot was associated with romance,  and men would wear bloodroot paint when they went courting.  It was also been used as a charm.  The young men of the Ponca tribe would put the juice of the root on their palm and contrive to shake hands with the maiden they desired to marry and within five or six days she would be a willing mate. However,  applying the root or juice to the skin was a questionable activity as the plant is known to be an escharotic; a substance that kills tissue.

The early medicinal uses of bloodroot were acquired from  Native Americans living in the Lake Superior region . . . as well as the Cherokee further to the south;  however the Cherokee tended to prefer the goldenseal.  Both plants were called puccoon,  red puccoon and yellow puccoon.  Both are strong herbs with significant alkaloids that have been shown to be extremely effective in treating a wide range of conditions and included the flesh destroying properties of the root sap or powered root for treating conditions of the skin such as ringworm, warts, polyps, fungal growths and skin cancers.

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Today bloodroot is used in herbal remedies with very small doses,  primarily for bronchial problems and severe throat infections.  Many pharmaceuticals use the root mixed with other compounds to treat heart problems and to treat migraines.  Bloodroot paste is used externally for skin diseases,  warts, and tumors.  Bloodroot is said to repel insects.  The root is used in as an anesthetic,  cathartic,  emetic,  emmenagogue,  expectorant,  diuretic,  febrifuge,  sedative, stimulant and tonic.  Researchers are investigating the root’s value in cancer treatment.  The chief chemical component of this herb is sanguinarine, which actually represents a group of alkaloids that produce effects similar to morphine.

The FDA considers bloodroot “unsafe” and urges that it not be used by herbal healers. However,  an extract has long been used in toothpaste and mouthwash to fight plaque and gingivitis and this use is now sanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Although bloodroot alkaloids are noted as antibacterial,  sanguinarine has been found to be less effective than other anti-plaque agents,  such as chlorhexidine and doxycycline.  The internal use of bloodroot is now banned in most countries and largely limited to homeopathic preparations elsewhere due to the toxic effects of sanguinarine.

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Where to find Bloodroot

Bloodroot prefers a humus-rich soil that is well-drained with high organic matter content.  Its natural habitat includes deep shaded areas surrounded by tall hardwood trees where other compatible woodland plants grow such as Jack-in-the-pulpit, mayapple, trillium, and wild ginger.  Adequate moisture is important throughout its growing season.  It can also be found along roadsides and disturbed areas with partial sunlight,  but again moisture and the proper soil pH play an important factor.  While in some isolated areas, the plants can be locally abundant,  bloodroot are generally considered somewhat rare.

My first exposure to bloodroot was along the Blue Ridge Parkway several years back on a return trip home to Pennsylvania after a visit to Texas.  I had noticed this species before here in Pennsylvania but never paid much attention to it other than to remark on its beauty.  We took a little detour from our normal route on the interstate to add a lovely diversion and variety to what had become such a routine route of annual travel.  The parkway is quite beautiful in the early spring,  with sparse traffic and abundant  early spring blooms.  We traveled the section from Cherokee North Carolina (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) to Roanoke Virginia.  I observed bloodroot at numerous locations along the route along with many other mountain and woodland wildflowers.

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I have since discovered numerous locations for bloodroot and several are less than a 10 minute drive from my home and all located within some of my favorite birding and avian photography hotspots.  The Kowomu Trail (Sawmill Road) in northern Carroll County Maryland has been productive over the past few years,  although I didn’t see as many plants this year.  I found large patches along Morningstar Road off PA Route 216 just south of Codorus State Park in southern York County Pennsylvania.

Other productive areas included the Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve  (A recent blog post), and along nearby River Road;  especially in the Tuquan Natural Area.  Elmer and I photographed a few along a trail off US Route 322 in upper Lancaster County Pennsylvania near the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area.  The wooded sections of Middle Creek have a nice population as well.

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Photographing the bloodroot plant and bloom is fun but can present quite a challenge.  As with any subject “white” in color,  proper exposure is critical for maximum detail and definition in the petals.  Shooting in shaded areas at limited depth of field (high F-stop numbers) can require longer exposures and a good tripod is an essential addition to the camera and lens.

Unwanted hotspots from spattered sunlight combined with choppy shadows can wreak havoc on a lovely scene with blown highlights and dense shadows fostering undesired contrast and harsh images.  The use of fill flash is almost a necessity.

I mostly always use a flash for one reason or another and just vary the shutter at the desired aperture for a gentle fill with variations of allowed ambient light.  The nice thing is that the plant isn’t going anywhere during your photo session so talking your time and bracketing exposures can be rewarding in the end.

Most importantly with any and all wildflower photography is to have fun and learn a little more about the species other than just capturing the image.

Jim Flowers

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