A Day Off

This past week, I worked harder than most weeks at a full-time job. However, this was all volunteer work as I was processing registrations and preparing for Saturday, March 17th's Glennie Nature Competition. If you are free stop by.

So though there are still tasks to do; today, I took the day off. I was up before the sun and drove up to Plum Island to hopefully see some short-eared owls and whatever else was available. I arrived a little later than I wanted. The sun was already above the horizon.

Unfortunately, the short-eared owls have been seen at the far end of the refuge, so I couldn't dilly dally at the other interesting opportunities that presented themselves. But I did allow myself to stop and take a few shots of things that caught my eye.





I arrived a Cross Farm Hill about 7:15. As I was driving up I saw a short-eared owl fly across towards the ocean side. Hoping I wasn't too late, I set up my tripod and waited. Twice more it buzzed back on the field side allowing me to take a few shots. While still a good distance away, they were closer shots than I've been able to get to date.




Finally, it was too bright, so I started wandering back towards the gate and home. Along the way I spent some more time with the pintails. While watching a small group, these males broke out into a fight over a female. (She seemed disinterested and continued eating.)




I also encountered my first Killdeer of the season. It's distinctive cry gave it's location away.




On the way home, I did a quick check of the Chain Bridge for eagles. Two eagles alternated roosting in the tree across the bay. When they weren't there they enjoyed riding the thermals so heights so high that they would disappear from view. Alas, they didn't fly anywhere within range of my lens. Though while I waited, I did manage to get this flight shot of a cormarant.