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Northern Gannets are typically found well off shore but I had a bit of luck. A steady stream of Gannets flew close to shore as I was standing on the rocks to photograph ducks. They were going by singly or in groups of 2-4 birds as they moved from nesting areas in Canada. Northern GannetsContinue reading “Snapshot: Northern Gannet”

A female Black Scoter doing her takeoff run.

Several varieties of sea duck spend the winter along our shore. Two common varieties are the Harlequin Duck and Black Scoter. These are two males, one of each species. You should be able to figure out which is which.

Snow Buntings have arrived for the season here in Massachusetts. They have a worldwide distribution and nest in the Arctic while wintering along the US-Canada border and northern Europe as well as southern Siberia and adjacent countries. Large flocks of Snow Buntings can congregate to feed in open areas.

A Cooper’s Hawk has just chased another one from its perch. The pattern of color and markings, along with the reddish eyes, indicate that it is an adult. The other is a youngster based on its markings and yellow eyes. It didn’t appear to me that the adult was attacking the young bird. My guessContinue reading “Feathered Action: Cooper’s Hawk”

A somewhat elegant duck.

The white area on the base of the tail is a quick way to identify this raptor at a distance.

I spotted our smallest woodpecker dining on seeds from reeds and cattails. They supplement their insect diet with seeds, especially as it gets colder. They look cute until they start banging on your house! They can and will dig into the wood.

Our summer residents have mostly headed south and transitory migrants have largely moved on as well. Now we wait for winter residents to move in from northern New England, Canada and the Arctic. These include ocean dwellers such as sea ducks like this White-winged Scoter, as well as Mergansers, grebes, alcids and loons that takeContinue reading “Snapshot: White-winged Scoter”

Yellow-billed Cuckoos are typically found in dense foliage where they try to be inconspicuous while hunting for caterpillars and other insect prey. This Cuckoo was briefly spotted in the open. I managed to get some photos of it capturing a large Praying Mantis among tall reeds and grass. Most of the pictures have a lotContinue reading “Yellow-billed Cuckoo”