Trip Report - Connecticut

We arrived back in sunny DFW on Saturday from a 6 day trip in Connecticut where there was never ending snow, or so it seemed! I had planned stops at Hammonasset State Park, Sachuest Point NWR and Bluff Point State Park. On my second day in CT I went to Bluff Point on a pleasure hike with some family and did not take along the camera, I really regreted that! I came across several sparrows, a red-breasted nuthatch, and a bird I was unable to ID on that hike, all within easy photographing distance. I never made it back to Bluff Point. On our third day, the rental car would not start because of a dead battery. All morning was spent on the phone with the rental car company, who were really rude, and all afternoon spent waiting for a new car. Day three was wasted. The next couple of days we were limited to how far we could go due to the huge snowing that was taking place. Finally on our last full day in CT with the temps warmer ( 30's ), we made it out to Sachuest Point, my target location. I had high hopes of seeing and maybe photographing the harlequin ducks, but only caught sight of one male and a few females way off shore. That was very disapointing, where were they? Maybe I was in the wrong spot. There was a large flock of brant fairly close to shore though and I spent most of my time photographing them.

I also photographed this song sparrow along the path.

All in all the trip was not very productive, but fun anyway. I hope that it will not be long before I go back to Sachuest Point, it was a beautiful little location and bet it is great in the summer!

Virginia Opossum

I went out to the Fort Worth Nature Center yesterday for a couple of hours. I saw a lot of white-throated sparrows on the riverbottom trail, but did not have any luck getting them in the open. I took this image of the captive opposum at the visitors center. I took this through a wire cage, and managed to keep the image clean except for it's right eye where it is noticeable a little. Tomorrow I leave with my mom and two of my sisters for a trip to Connecticut for a visit with some family. I plan on doing some shooting at Sachuest Point NWR in Rhode Island and Hammonasset State park if time. My main target species is the harlequin ducks and purple sandpipers and if lucky maybe a snowy owl. I will post when I get back and will give a trip report and hopefully have some photos to share as well.

Image Data:

1/30s. | f/8 | ISO 200

Click image to view larger size.

Yellowlegs

I took this image back in December at VCDB in Arlington. This lone yellowlegs was feeding alone in a small pond, I liked the ripples in the water so I took a few images. I am debating on the right crop, maybe less on the bottom? Taken from the car in late afternoon light. I hope that you like it.

Image Data:

1/1000s. | f/8 | ISO 500

click image to view larger size.

American Coot

Here is a image taken on a overcast Tuesday morning at a park. There is a large pond/small lake at this park that is host to a lot of scaup, shovelers and coots as well as geese and whistling ducks in spring. This particular coot jumped out of the water and walked around on the grass close to me, looking for bread handouts no doubt. I thought the grass was a great setting so I managed a few images of it before I got distracted with some gulls. I like the image except for the composition, I needed more room on the bottom and unfortunately I did not have any.

Note to self: compose in camera with more room all around!

Image Data:

1/160s. | f/8 | ISO 400 | Fill Flash

click image to view larger size.