Kathie's Birds: Lake Ontario

Showing posts with label Lake Ontario. Show all posts

Thursday, August 18, 2011

On the Shore of Lake Ontario (SWF)

Lake Ontario Sunset 7-31-11 @ 7:09 PM EDT

I hear the sounds of waves

crashing on the shore

mesmerizing me

pulling me in,

riveting me to this spot

with this sound.

I see the water gray and rolling,

white caps scattered on rising crests

all blending the the flat gray line

of a silver horizon.

Song sparrows serenade the day,

while gulls joust and cry over the waves.

Hummingbirds sip sweet nectar from the flowered bank,

a gentle breeze ruffles my hair,

then the Bald Eagle glides by

on wings dark and full of sky.

I feel the roots of my being release,

I feel my heart sprout wings!

Then I am flying, sailing, soaring,

above, along, beyond and back

to this green shore, brown cliff.

Where swallows nest in tiny caves

of mud and earth.

I am made of this same stuff,

this water, this earth.

I feel my roots sink down, drink deep, fill up

with love of this place, this moment, this now.

~Kathie Adams Brown (August 4, 2011)

Lake Ontario Morning Fog 8-4-11 @ 8:46 AM EDT

Skywatch Friday!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

The Fox, the Storm, and the Morning After

Lake Ontario 8-4-11

The morning after the storm a fog gathered on Lake Ontario as I packed my bags for home. I walked out into the cool, damp morning air listening to the birds of AMOC Camp for one last time. After loading the vehicle up I grabbed my camera and binoculars, a cup of hot tea and my chair, and wandered down to the shore cliff one last time. I stood on the cliff in the morning light, gazing at the transformation from last night’s storm.

Below me I saw Bank Swallow Beach tossed and turned and muddied, the water lapping brown and sandy against the accumulated debris. The little rocky beach where I had watched children playing just two nights ago was now gone. Big chunks of that bank now lay at the water’s edge slowly being dissolved into the lake.

Sitting back in my chair I searched the bank and beach below for signs of life. As I sipped my tea I suddenly sat bolt upright as I gazed below me at some scraggly movement. A lone fox, tattered and battered, limped along the shoreline.

Most of its fur was gone and its left rear leg appeared to be injured.

It sniffed the air as it trotted painfully across water-worn sticks and branches.

Suddenly it spied the carcass of a seagull lying in all that debris and it fell on it ravenously. I had seen that headless carcass a couple of night ago, lying there in the muck and rocks. It was there on the beach behind the children. They played in the water, the dead gull unnoticed behind them. The next morning I saw it again, but by then there was little more than the wings left. Something had eaten the body. Now the poor hungry fox picked at what was left of the wings, then, carefully stepping over a few logs it found a fresh spring running down the cliff and into the lake. It drank the clean water from a little gully as it flowed towards the mud-ridden lake edge.

As I continued to watch the fox hobble over the re-sculpted shoreline I saw it scramble over an old tire, lying there in all that debris and it occurred to me that in many ways this fox is a metaphor for our environment.

It has been beaten down, polluted and forgotten. While nature struggles to survive against all that this industrial age continues to throw at her, the poor thing limps on, trying to feed. Trying to heal. Will the fox survive? I suppose that is really up to us and how much we are willing to do, and how much we are willing to change. In all its poor condition, I still felt privileged to have this glimpse of wildness. I think we need it for our souls. I know I do. I cannot imagine a world without nature and I plan to do my part to preserve this earth to the best of my ability.

It was a poignant moment for me on this last day and I found it very hard to tear myself away from that beautiful shore and that peaceful place.

I will miss my viewing stump…

…and the views.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Bank Swallows (WBW)

Bank Swallow Nesting Site on Lake Ontario 7-31-11

One of the first birds I saw when I arrived at the Camp on Lake Ontario was the bank swallow. we barely pulled into the parking lot and I jumped out with my bins to see which species was flying about over the water. To my utter delight it was Bank Swallows, a species I had not seen a quite a long time. for the next five days I would see and hear them all day long. I never grew tired of their buoyant flight over silvery blue water and even bluer skies.

Bank Swallow in flight 8-1-11

Due to their small size and fast flight they are not an easy bird to photograph, but I did mange to capture a couple of shots where you can actually see the bird. Bank swallows are brown above and creamy white below with a brown breast band. They are our smallest swallow and they need vertical sandy banks to excavate and build their nests in.

Nesting site close-up 7-31-11

Bank swallows live in colonies and nest, feed and fly together.

Even closer 7-31-11

You can see from these photographs how the bank is constantly being eroded by the weather. Huge storms build on Lake Ontario buffeting the shore with huge waves, wind, and rain. We had one powerful rain storm while I was there that totally reshaped the beach below the swallow’s nests. I loved the feel of the wind and the sound of the wild pounding waves, but it really does damage to the cliffs themselves. Still, just look at the beauty of these birds in flight. Often I would see 20 or more at a time as they bounded out over the water.

Bank Swallows in flight 8-1-11

Bank Swallow Beach: View of bank from above 8-3-11

Here you can see the beach below. This is how it looked when I arrived. Over the course of the week I took to calling it Bank Swallow Beach. On the day I took this photo the storm came in. Oh, it was wild and wonderful and I loved it, but by the morning of the 4th this beach had been totally reshaped. That sandy, gravelly area below was washed away and the water’s edge was moved back to the line where you can see the debris. If you look closely at the photo you can see a bit of a brownish path emerging from beneath that green tree. I had walked down the path to the beach and partially stepped off that edge to take the photos of the Bank Swallow’s nesting site on July 31st. On August 2nd I had stood up above in this location and watched parents standing on the beach below while their kids played in the surf. By the morning of the 4th there was no beach left. Just water and debris and the cliff. I wondered if the storm has washed away any of the swallow nests but never walked back down the trail to find out. It was too slippery and covered in spots with very stinky mud and puddles. I did count at least 10 Bank Swallows on my last day here.

Where I sat or stood to watch the birds on the shore of Lake Ontario

When I first came here in the 60’s the bank was much farther out. There was land here one could stand on. Over the years the weather has eaten away at the shore. The fence has been moved ever backwards and is in the process of being moved again. The orange flags denote where the new post holes will go. It is an ever changing world for us and the birds, one to which we must constantly adapt keeping all things in balance: The needs of humans to save their land, yet with regard for nature and the creatures who share this earth with us.

My Favorite Lookout Point on Lake Ontario 8-4-11

This is a beautiful vantage point for us and for the birds.

World Bird Wednesday

Click here to read my previous Post The Birds of AMOC Camp

Monday, August 15, 2011

Krull County Park Olcott, NY (MWT)

Gulls and Terns on Wharf at Krull County Park 8-1-11

Along the shore of Lake Ontario in Olcott, NY lies Krull Park. When I was there earlier this month I stopped by the park to see what I could see. On the shore side of State Route 18 I found plenty of gulls and a few Caspian terns along with a couple of Canada geese hanging out on these cement Wharfs. On the weekend the little town of Olcott has quaint little shops to visit but I was more interested in the birds and on this particular day, most of the shops were closed.

View Larger Map

Caspian Tern 8-1-11

Across the street from the shore side of the park lies an extensive grassy area with soccer fields and more. I saw all these gulls as I passed by on the way to the store in Newfane. On the way back to camp I pulled in to count birds and take photos. It was mid-afternoon when I took these shots and many of the birds washed out in the bright sunlight but you can see that there must have been up to 200 Ring-billed gulls laying around in the grass. I do not know if this is how they nest but they were certainly resting here with many of them panting in the heat.

Ring-billed gulls resting on soccer fields at Krull Park 8-1-11

In and around the fields of gulls I also saw a couple of Rock Pigeons, a few killdeer, and flocks of European Starlings.

Turkey Vulture in park 8-1-11

Over near the picnic tables I spotted someone having his own picnic. I don’t know what he was dining on but as I tried to creep closer for a better shot…

he took off!

I backed off hoping the bird would return. I did not want to disturb his dinner, but he decided to sail through the bright blue sky instead. Still, it looks like Krull Park could be a promising place to watch birds if you are ever up this way! And that’s…

…My World Tuesday!

It is with sadness that I announce the passing of Klaus Peter, the founder of My World Tuesday. Please visit My World Tuesday for more details and visit his amazing blog Virtua Gallery with his outstanding photography. He really makes me look like an amateur. Klaus, today’s post is dedicated to you and your love of the environment! (Note, I only learned of this when I went to link to the site!)

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Lake Ontario Sunset (SWF)

Lake Ontario Sunset 7:22 PM EDT with geese flying low over the water.

Lake Ontario Sunset 7:24 PM EDT

Lake Ontario Sunset 7:26 PM EDT

Skywatch Friday!

I took this series of shots on the second night we arrived at AMOC Camp in Olcott, NY. It was the best sunset of the week and I have several shots from different vantage points and at different times. All were taken with the Nikon D80 and the 70 to 300 mm lens at various settings. While I have cropped some of these shots, I did not color pop or enhance them in anyway. The colors stood on their own. And yes, I do have a spot on my lens which I did not discover until later in the week. I tried to remove it but do not think I was very successful. I may have to take my camera in to a professional. RATS! Still, I hope you can look past the spot and see the beauty instead. If you look through the series of posts from Lake Ontario you will be able to find a few more sunset shots all from this one night! Just click on the label “Lake Ontario” beneath this post!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

The Birds of AMOC Camp (WBW)

Bald Eagle 8-1-11

I spent 6 days on the shore of Lake Ontario near Olcott, NY last week. While I was there I counted birds every day and often several times a day. Here is the list of all the birds I saw while on the grounds of AMOC camp. I counted a total of 38 species and while I have photos of some, I do not have photos of all.

Wells Hall

My days started with stepping out the door of Wells Hall where my Mom, sister and I slept. In this area, which is closer to the road, I would often see and hear Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, and Chipping Sparrows. I frequently saw Northern Flickers and American Robins here too. And this is the only area where I saw one lone Red-winged blackbird fly by!

Bank Swallow 8-1-11

One of the very first birds I saw when we arrived Saturday, July 21st was a flock of Bank Swallows swooping over the shoreline. More about them later.

Of course, gulls were seen every day and I believe this one is a juvenile Herring Gull due to its overall profile, the spotty look to its body and the pattern on its wings. But I will say right here that I am not an expert on gulls and I am still learning. Most of the gulls I saw this week were juveniles, though I did see a few adults.

Path to beach area.

On the second night I was there I followed this path down to the shore traipsing through stinky mud in search of birds. At the bottom I was rewarded with a view of the Bank Swallows nesting site. (More about this later).

American Goldfinch 7-31-11 @ 6:46PM EDT

In the sumac and thistle that lined the cliff edge I found American Goldfinches, Gray Catbirds, Yellow Warblers and 2 species of vireos. This whole shoreline was populated with song sparrows which I heard and saw every day.

Sunset on Lake Ontario 7-31-11 @ 7:00PM EDT

I saw the most gorgeous sunset as I turned and headed back up the trail. It was the best sunset of the whole week and I took several pictures.

With the sunset behind me, this is what the trail look like before me @ 7 PM.

Great Blue Heron Silhouettes 7-31-11 @ 7:06PM EDT

Canada Geese 7-31-11 @ 7:21PM EDT

Where we sat by the cliff looking out over the lake 8-1-11

The next morning my sister and I grabbed out chairs and our stuff, and made ourselves some tea. Then we hauled it all out here by the edge of the lake where we sat with me as close to this fence as possible. I wanted to do this because I wanted to be able to see down to the beach below. It is probably a good 50 foot drop down to the water and I knew it was the only place I could see the beach.

Bank Swallow Beach

I call this place Bank Swallow Beach because the Bank Swallows nest in this almost vertical cliff. While sitting here watching, not only did a Belted Kingfisher fly by, but a Spotted Sandpiper landed briefly at the water’s edge. I got so excited that I think I gasped while reaching for my camera and it flew off. Enthusiasm is a good think but not so good when you are trying to photograph birds!

Song sparrow on fence with insect in beak 8-1-11

While I sat watching and waiting my sister decided to go for a run. For awhile I was here alone listening to the persistent cry of a bird. I thought, at first, it might be some empid or flycatcher of some sort due to the sound it was making. Then I found the bird and saw it was some kind of sparrow. I was hoping it was some sparrow species I had never see before but when this parent Song Sparrow flew over to feed the crying chick I concluded it was a juvenile Song Sparrow. You can see it’s photo in the previous post.

American Crows 8-1-11

I could some crows cawing while I sat there and soon this pair flew by. My mother came and joined me and as we were sitting there talking I caught the motion of some dark bird flying overhead. Just as i looked up I saw it disappear over the treetops to the northeast and I thought I saw a white tail. I was just telling my mom what I thought I saw when suddenly the eagle came soaring back!

Bald Eagle flying NE along shoreline 8-1-11

After flying west it turned and came back again disappearing over the treetops once more. We got such good looks at it! Later in the week I was standing in this same location when a juvenile Bald Eagle flew along the same aerial track. I can only assume they have a nest somewhere nearby.

Juvenile ring-billed gull 8-1-11

I believe this is a juvenile ring-billed gull due to its pink bill tipped with black, its more delicate profile, and that black trailing edge to its wings, as well as the more dark and contrasting wing tips.

Camp grounds behind Tabernacle 8-2-11

On the morning of the 2nd I got up around 6:30 a.m. and headed out to watch birds. I hiked all over the campgrounds from Wells Hall to the shore and along the fenceline northeast to an orchard where I turned and headed back along a dirt road through the middle of the camp.

I saw yet another song sparrow…

…a chimney swift…

…a female downy woodpecker…

…and another song sparrow!

On the way back toward the dining hall I found my first house finch perched on a wire!

Mourning Dove 8-2-11

And right near it a Mourning Dove catching the first rays of the morning sun!

Fence Line along shore cliff

I saw so many birds from this area looking out over the lake.

This is a Caspian Tern, though you can’t see its head in this photo.

Double-crested Cormorants 8-2-11

Canada Geese 8-2-11

Red-tailed Hawk 8-2-11

Turkey Vulture 8-3-11

Juvenile Herring Gull 8-4-11

Most gulls take three to four years to reach their adult plumage. You can clearly see the prominent scowling forehead of the Herring Gull in this photo though.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 8-4-11