Northern Gannet: Courtship on the Rock

The Northern Gannet is an awesome seabird. I only wish my pictures could capture the real magnificence of this bird. The cliffs and rocks of Cape St. Mary's are amass with thousands of Northern Gannets. While I have many pictures showing the numbers and the sheer frenzy of activity, I have chosen to try to focus on the individual birds and pairs that make up this huge gannetry.

It was a beautiful day to visit these breeding grounds on Newfoundland's south coast. The viewing area is perhaps a kilometer from the parking lot and Interpretative Center, all down hill going in and all up hill going out. The viewing area itself is a natural jut into the sea with no barriers. I often found myself looking down and getting dizzy and queasy. This was often compounded by staring out through my binoculars and camera. It is definitely not a place to allow children to roam freely. It is so easy to get rapt with all of the action that you forget where your feet are.

When we first arrived, I found one Northern Gannet by itself. Having been to this site once before, I quickly realized how rare that was so I began to take pictures. Isolating a bird in this setting is really difficult.

 This one almost seemed to be looking for some heavenly direction to pick the right mate. Then again, it may have been giving thanks for the rare day of sunshine.

All around there are Northern Gannets that seem to have already paired off.  These birds are monogamous and will pair off for the long term. There is a lot of courtship going on all around. The last time I saw any similar behaviour was in St. Petersburg, Florida during the Spring Break.

Zoom, Zoom. There is a constant flurry of birds in flight. They fly by so quickly and sometimes, so close that it is a real challenge to try to capture the beauty of this bird in flight. Despite that, the motivation to keep trying is driven by the amazing color, shape and grace of the Northern Gannet.

Before I knew it we had spent nearly three hours at the tip caught up in the awesome display of nature that just kept swirling around us. It would be so easy to go and spend an entire day in this area. There were times, many times when I just had to stop and drink in the spectacular show of nature unfolding. While a Fall visit was amazing, I think the combination of other breeding seabirds at this site and the mating activity makes the Spring even better.

Horned Lark

 When you travel to Cape St. Mary's to view birds, the Horned Lark is not the species that you think of first. Nevertheless, it may well be the first species you see on the drive in or in the parking lot or grounds in front of the Interpretation Center.

 I travelled with another birder on Saturday to Cape St. Mary's and the whole Southern Shore on Saturday. The trip was filled with excitement as one species after another tested our ability to find them and identify them.

 When we arrived at Cape St. Mary's to view the main event of all of the sea birds (more on this in another post), we were greeted by two Horned Lark. While I had great views my pictures left a lot to be desired. Don't quite know what happened but I am guessing that I left all of my settings on those set on my last birding outing when it was cloudy. This day was bright, very bright and sunny all day. That was our first rarity!

This was my first look at a Horned Lark in the Spring. Its colors seemed to be a little more bright at this time of the year. I hadn't realized that there was so much yellow but it really stood out in the lighting of the day.

There was another birder there when we arrived and with a bit of luck he will post his pictures of the Horned Lark which I am sure will show much more detail and clarity. As we drove out of the Cape St. Mary's road we found two more Horned Lark feeding near the side of the road. They are not easy to spot so it is best to watch for movement.

Yes, it really is Spring

 It was in 1960 when Elvis popularized a song called "Wooden Heart" in a movie by the name of G.I. Blues. I don't think this was the kind of wooden heart he was singing about, but this downed tree trunk at Long Pond couldn't help but bring up the memory.

It also reminded me that it is Spring time and love is in the air for the ducks around all of the city ponds.

 The ducks are pairing off and boldly walking across the roadways, searching the edges of the waterways and focusing all of their attention on proliferation at this time. With the help of a young bird enthusiast, there are six new hen nesting boxes placed in strategic places around the city.  It will be interesting to watch to see if  nesting ducks take up residency.

Most all birds are decked out in their best Easter frocks, especially the males in an attempt to attract their heart's desire. The beak is shining more brightly than ever and there is a definite twinkle in the eye.  Some are transitioning into their breeding plumage. Others stay just as they are.

Even the most common duck looks special at this time. There  is a swagger in the walk and a purposefulness beyond feeding.

 The Northern Pintail does not change its plumage but it certainly looks very sharp at this time of the year. This striking duck seems to always stand out, year around.

It was on April 30, 2010 when this Garganey showed up at Mundy Pond last year for a one-day stay. That was something quite special to see. I wonder if we will see one this year or what other surprises Spring has in store for us.

I remember freezing in the cold temps and the blustery conditions of the day. Try as I might, I couldn't stay long.  Today's weather will really get you. I got up to find at least 2 inches of snow on the ground and on my deck and more is falling. The feeder birds are flocking to the different feeders in my yard to fortify for the day.

For a few days we have had above freezing temperatures and most of the snow had gone.  There were a couple of days when it was very pleasant to spend extended periods of time bird gazing. There is always something new to see, even with the birds observed everyday. This demure duck seems to be flirting.  There will be more and more of this in the days to come.

 The first photos that I got of baby ducks last year was on May 13 with the latest shot of ducklings taken toward the end of June. It won't be long now!

A Crisp Saturday Afternoon in April

 How does a healthful walk in the park turn into a bird watching excursion? That's easy...just walk at Long Pond, Pippy Park. Where there were no birds in the winter, spring has brought them back to us. I started my jaunt with a chill; it is not warm. However, I first ran into a young boy and his father who warmed me up. The boy, maybe 14 years old, was so excited. He and his dad had just erected this duck nesting box. The young fellow was filled with information and enthusiasm, all supported by his dad. That is enough to warm the heart!

 I continued my walk to the "bench of birds."  Due to the vegetation and the help of regular seed drops, numerous birds frequent the area around the last bench on the west end. With no deadlines impacting my day, I sat on the bench and watched the show.

I sat for about 30 minutes and never left the bench. I will let the pictures speak to the variety and richness of the experience.

 This little Boreal Chickadee was not very cooperative.

Tearing myself away from this great place, I walked on where I found more than a dozen fresh American Robins frolicking around Harmony Gardens. Numerous Boreal Chickadees were also in the area. By now, I was ready to move on and try my hand at some more pictures of the Great Egret.

 This little American Wigeon has been in Long Pond for quite some time and does not seem bothered by the celebrity of the Great Egret.

 For a short while I had a one-on-one with the Great Egret. There was concern about how this bird would cope with the recent cold nights. He looked great, actively feeding and moving about.

I am still struggling with shooting white birds in the bright sunlight. Through trial and error, I will get it. I have had lots of trials and more than my share of errors, so I must keep trying. What better motivation than this great southern treasure.

Is there any place else in the world where it is possible to see all of these species less than .5 kilometers from each other? 

Get out and go for a walk.  Be sure to take your binoculars and camera and leave your watch at home.