Saturday, May 18, 2019

Tinicum

Or more specifically, the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum.


We had planned to visit Mother's Day morning, meeting our friends Rachel and Adam (last see in this post). Alas, it was a very rainy day so we rescheduled for this past Wednesday evening.

You can see Adam's excellent images of the event here, A Good Walk Spoiled (go look!). I think the title refers to his new found interest in bird photography. Because while Patty and Rachel made it all the way around the main trail, Adam and I, stopping to photograph every bird we saw, didn't make it a quarter of the way.

Adam also has a photography exhibit at the Headhouse Cafe in Philadelphia. Go, enjoy some delicious sushi, and buy a print!

Patty, who subscribes to every bird alert service in the area, arrived first and texted me that a Sora was being seen at the boardwalk. Thus when I arrived she sent me off to find it while she waited for Adam and Rachel.

So off I went. It took awhile, but eventually I spotted it.


See it there in the reeds? Yep, that's how one usually sees them. They are a bit secretive. But sometimes ...


... they come out into the open ...


... and even come close.

While on the boardwalk I also saw some Barn Swallows.


And Painted Turtles, which pretty much all over the place.


And a pair of Mute Swans.


But the bird that stole the show was ...


... this fishing Osprey.


Hovering and flying seemingly for our enjoyment.


Continuing on we saw a number of good birds, including this Baltimore Oriole, upon which spotting Adam cried out, "Look at that colorful one!".


There were multiple Yellow Warblers along the trail.


And a lone Cedar Waxwing. Odd, as they are usually found in groups.


Further out we spotted a Great Egret.


And a female Wood Duck.


Multiple people told us that there were Wood Duck chicks, very small perhaps only days old. But the only chicks we saw were these muddy Mallards.


It was a very nice way to spend an evening. Although it did rain briefly on our way back to our cars.

No comments: