Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) take off from a small pond at dusk with the lead goose flying in front of the formation. The lead goose expends the most energy because it is the first to break up the flow of air that provides additional lift for all of the geese who follow behind the leader. When the lead goose gets tired, it drops out of the front position and moves to the rear of the formation where the resistance is lightest and another goose moves into the leadership position.
Seagulls flying in from Long Island Sound. Avery Point and Avery Point Light are in the background.
Fog hangs over a salt marsh as this Great Egret (Ardea alba ) executes a graceful landing on a mudflat.
Canada Geese (Branta canadensis)
There were a lot of birds flying at the salt marsh today including this Bald Eagle Juvenile (Haliaeetus leucocephalus).
A flock of European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) fly over a sand dune out into the ocean.
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
This Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) flew into the salt marsh scattering all of the birds except the Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) either to the far remote corners of the salt marsh or completely out. The Ospreys are not afraid of bald eagles. In this photo, it appears the Bald Eagle is chasing the Osprey but it is the opposite. The Osprey is above the Bald Eagle and is shadowing it to keep it away from the Osprey nests.
Photographed in a salt marsh on Long Island Sound. The Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) is larger than Lesser Yellowlegs and has a longer bill grayish at base.
It's the middle of September and when I saw this leaf floating down the waters of the salt marsh, it remindered me that it soon will be fall and the birds will be leaving, marking the end of another salt marsh cycle.
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
The Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) and many other birds are back at the salt marsh for another high activity season of building nests, mating, fishing and fighting over food and territory. This Osprey is circling the salt marsh looking for a fish for his mate.
East view in March.
A Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) wades through a salt marsh looking for small fish.
After Diving for a Fish 2 (Vertical)
An Osprey coming up out of the water after diving for fish. It did not catch the fish.
A House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) enduring a blizzard.
The drab marsh grass of summer turns to brilliant autumn colors.
Salt marsh grass in fall.
