Jul
20
July Sunrise
Rising early to catch a summer sunrise on the marsh, I wasn’t disappointed. These Great Egrets took turns on a perch to watch the sun rise on a very hot and humid day at the coast.
Archive for the ‘summer’ Category
Jul
18
Brown Pelicans
Pelicans are still a little bit of a novelty in Delaware. Common thoughout the south and very tolerant of people, here they still attract stares as the glide by and are seldom seen up close. This morning a small group prepared for the day by loafing on a sand bar.
Jul
16
Delaware Wildflowers
Filed Under Wildflowers, summer
These wildflowers are all native to Delaware. They add to the beauty of the landscape and provide food and habitat for a variety of species. The two last photos of the Swamp Rose show a bumble bee and an Augochlora Green Metallic Bee gathering pollen. Have you ever seen an Augochlora Green Metallic Bee before?
Butterfly Weed
Monkey Flower
Button Bush
Button Bush
Swamp Rose
Swamp Rose
Jul
15
Osprey Again
Here are three more photographs of the juvenile Osprey taken two nights ago. There are three young birds on this nest and they will probably fledge this week. It is amazing how well the Osprey population has increased over the past few decades. In the Lewes, DE area they are nesting on almost every conceivable surface.
Jul
13
Osprey Offspring
Osprey young are in the process of fledging now, so if you keep a sharp lookout you might see them perched on the edge of the nest contemplating that first jump. I was able to get close to a nest tonight with some soon-to-be fliers. Here are two from tonight with more to follow in a day or two.
Jul
11
Trumpet Vines
Filed Under Wildflowers, summer
Trumpet Vines are found commonly throughout Sussex County. They stand out in a background of green with their bright orange blossoms. They are a favorite food source for hummingbirds and bird nests are sometimes found within the foliage.
Jul
9
Green Heron
Filed Under Shorebirds, summer
I went out this evening hoping to find something well lit before the next line of showers rolled in. Just as the sun went behind the clouds I found this Green Heron holding on tightly in the top of a cedar tree. He swayed back and forth for a few moments before jumping off to find a more stable perch. I left for home, with the sun gone for the day.
Jul
7
Brackish-water Fiddler
I watched a colony of Brackish-water Fiddler crabs this evening. They eat with the small claw and engage in what appears to be mild combat with the big one. No one got hurt in battle and they all seemed to find plenty to eat.
Jul
5
A Dozen Egrets
A few weeks ago a large group of egrets put on a feeding display right in front of me. I posted a few from that morning but I knew I had some more to share. I know looking at egret after egret can get old, so I selected some with a little variety. The birds were feeding on mummichogs mostly, but in the group you will see an eel and a grass shrimp that ended up being breakfast. I promise, no more egrets for a while.
Jul
5
Feeding Time for Ghost Crabs
Filed Under summer
I went back to where I had found the Ghost Crabs and used Kevin Fleming’s 600 mm lens to get closer to the action. I found one feeding in the wrack line. It ate a wide variety of things. This photo shows it guiding an unidentified substance into its mouth with its two large claws.
