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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Filed Under summer
This Ghost Crab was busy tonight digging out its hole as the tide was coming in and about to flood the hole. I have watched Ghost Crab holes get covered with water and sand and I wonder how these land crabs survive tidal flooding. The sun put down conveniently on top of the East End Light.
Filed Under Shorebirds, summer
Just before sunset tonight the wind dropped out and the water on the marsh became a mirror. I caught this yellow legs and stilt in close proximity and found the moment and light to be the best of the night.
Filed Under Shorebirds, summer
Tonight a Glossy Ibis put in an appearance at the marsh. I have only seen the ibis up close once before this year and I had less than a minute to photograph him before the clouds covered the sun. A little while later a Snowy Egret landed among a variety of birds with a reed in its beak.
