Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Life Birds in Acadia N. P. (WBW)

1. black-throated green warbler-kab Black-throated Green Warbler 6-10-11

On our trip to Acadia national Park this weekend of course I brought my bins and camera. Our first night there we drove into the park and found this quiet little place called Schooner Lookout. We followed the short trail down through the forest to the rocky cliff overlooking a bay. As Gus went ahead of me with his camera, I stayed behind following the song of a bird that I suspected was a warbler. I am just getting to know these Northeast warblers and their songs so it wasn’t until I saw the bird that I knew who was singing it. I pulled out my smart phone and listened to the call on my iBird Pro for comparison. As I did, this little fellow came closer for me to see. I don’t like to agitate the birds, so I shut off my phone and listened to the real thing. What a sweetie pie! I have only seen this bird a couple of times before so this was a real treat for me. I was so proud of myself for figuring it out all by myself!

2. BGWA-kab Acadia NP Black-throated Green Warbler

However, the fun was not done for me yet. As I wandered down the path to join my sweet husband on the rocks we sat and watched Common Eiders in the water and a Double-crested cormorant fly in and take a bath (more on the later). I also watched two Great Cormorants flying low over the water. While I did take pictures they are very fuzzy due to the distance and the motion, even though I panned to follow their flight. But, I could definitely see their chunky bodies and white throat patches instead of red. Great Cormorants were Life Bird number 1 for me on this trip.

3. black guillemot-kab Acadia NP Black Guillemot 6-10-11 *Lifer!

However, as I sat on the rocks with Gus looking out over the bay he suddenly said to me, “Look, there’s a bird!” and right there at the base of the cliff where we were sitting this little guy popped up! I got all excited crying out, “It’s an Alcid! It’s an Alcid! I have never seen one of them before! However, I did not know which kind of Alcid it was and had to look it it up! This is my first ever Alcid, which is a family group of Ocean going birds who only come to land to nest in rocky cliffs. The species is a Black Guillemot. What a thrilling way to start the weekend! Perfect for World Bird Wednesday don’t you think?

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20 comments:

  1. Lovely images of great birds to see.
    Many thanks for sharing.

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  2. Great shots!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  3. Love your shots of the Black-throated Green Warbler! Also congrats on the life bird!

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  4. Birding is Fun, thanks! Wish you could have seen them also!

    Andrew, thank you!

    Gary, thanks!

    Hilke, it was so exciting!

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  5. Kathie:
    Summer is a time to explore the many photo opportunities that present themselves and "Kathies birds" today captures just that! It is good to be back blogging after my wee hiatus thank you for coming by and leading me here.
    YES we must meet up this winter when I return to AZ! hugs Anna

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  6. Naturegirl, how nice to see you again!

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  7. Kathie, what a great day for you. Two lifers, I love the Black Guillemot, it is gorgeous. the shot of the Black Throated green is awesome. Happy birding and have a great weekend!

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  8. Congrats on the lifers! Exciting to read about your adventures.

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  9. Very exciting! Beautiful photos. I haven't seen either of those birds before. Such a treat for you and for us.

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  10. Kathie, your bird photos always blow me away. I can't seem to capture birds unless they hold still about 5 mins. How exciting to see the Guillemot!

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  11. That warbler sure is lovely and congrats on the Guillemot!

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  12. A great trip, with excellent birds there Kathie.

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  13. congrats on the alcid - i have yet to see any myself - wonderful birds.

    dan

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  14. Lovely posts Kathie. The snowshoe hare is a lovely animal. lovely shots of the pheobe

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  15. Hi Kathie

    What a great sighting. The Black Gulliemont is so impressive, wow.

    Regards
    Guy

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  16. Love the Black-throated Green Warbler. We had one in our yard this winter--but without that beautiful throat.
    Kay

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  17. Really quite stunning. You get such great bird shots.

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  18. Great photos, Kathie! I loved reading the story of your honeymoon, too. Great adventures

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Welcome to my nest! I hope you will enjoy spending time here with me and the birds. Thank you for your comments. I will try to get back to you as soon as I get back from counting more birds.