With my Common Eider I am linking up with a few memes World Bird Wednesday and Water Wednesday and Nature Notes
I was hoping for some better photos of these neat looking sea ducks. But they were a little too far out and they were getting lost in the waves.
The Common Eider breeds on rocky coasts and in the Artic tundra. They winter along seacoasts and they are fairly common along the Atlantic coast. The male has a white back and breast. Their long nose appearance is distinctive. The females have more rufous tones.
It was a little upsetting to hear a week after our visit to Barneget some duck hunters were seen a little closer in than the supposedly mile out that is required for hunters. And even more of a concern is that the Harlequin ducks that are seen at Barnegat are off limits to the hunters but with the waves and all the ducks that are around are these hunters really that good of marksmen to hit another duck?
I do know for myself if I were there to see the ducks I would be terribly upset to see a duck killed while I was there watching. Another question, why do the hunters have to be hanging around a spot like Barnegat Lighthouse beach when they know it is a tourist spot with lots of people and birders? Now, I am hoping that the ducks stay away just to be safe from the hunters.
Lately it seems that there are more and more hunters and less people out just to enjoy the critters. In the winter months (Sept-Jan) the reservoir around my house allows bow deer hunting. So even around my own neighborhood it is only safe to go out on Sundays when hunting is not allowed. I have even heard some places are even allowing hunting on Sundays. So when is it a good time for the nature lover to be outside enjoying nature and the wildlife.
To see more wonderful birds check out Springman's World Bird Wednesday
And 2Sweetnsaxy's Watery Wednesday and Michelle's Nature Notes.. Thanks to Springman, 2Sweetnsaxy and Michelle for hosting these fun memes. Thank you for stopping by to see my post.
The Common Eider breeds on rocky coasts and in the Artic tundra. They winter along seacoasts and they are fairly common along the Atlantic coast. The male has a white back and breast. Their long nose appearance is distinctive. The females have more rufous tones.
It was a little upsetting to hear a week after our visit to Barneget some duck hunters were seen a little closer in than the supposedly mile out that is required for hunters. And even more of a concern is that the Harlequin ducks that are seen at Barnegat are off limits to the hunters but with the waves and all the ducks that are around are these hunters really that good of marksmen to hit another duck?
I do know for myself if I were there to see the ducks I would be terribly upset to see a duck killed while I was there watching. Another question, why do the hunters have to be hanging around a spot like Barnegat Lighthouse beach when they know it is a tourist spot with lots of people and birders? Now, I am hoping that the ducks stay away just to be safe from the hunters.
To see more wonderful birds check out Springman's World Bird Wednesday
And 2Sweetnsaxy's Watery Wednesday and Michelle's Nature Notes.. Thanks to Springman, 2Sweetnsaxy and Michelle for hosting these fun memes. Thank you for stopping by to see my post.
54 comments:
Thanks for the photos and the information! I agree - I prefer to shoot the wildlife with my camera - just have never been able to understand hunting at all, unless you have to for food! Have a great day!
What a treasure of photographs of those beautiful ducks! Sorry you've got hunters around in places they are not suppose to be, how awful! Thanks for sharing this great photographs!
That is awful news about the hunters. It is not right that nature lovers can't enjoy nature safely any more because of the hunters. Don't vote for whoever made that law.
Good morning Eileen.
I think hunting around anyplace which attracts tourist and nature lovers should be 'banned' throughout the year and only allowed in specific areas which are off limits to the public.
Not only does it pose a threat to the wildlife which frequent the areas, more important is the possible stray bullets that could wander into a crowd of people!!
Great post!
Eileen, what is really wonderful about these captures is that you get a real sense that this is winter on the sea. My favorite is the last photo -- the duck in flight, the rolling wave. Enchanting. Thanks for sharing.
Well done on the eider duck! Nice to sight them and see them!
no matter the clarity, these pictures are a wonderful way to memoralize your special day and help us through these long winters!
i can hear the gulls, i can feel the mist, i can breath in the salted air!!
we are so lucky that we appreciate all these beautiful moments!!
Deer hunting should be banned. You get great captures.
those waters look mighty choppy. the eiders were teasing you from afar.
Wow, so there really is a Common Eider.
Somehow I never think of a bird, only of its feathers and the fluffy warm Eiderdown.
Stay safe in your hunting season.
Beautiful seascapes, it's wonderful to see them in the sea, great photos Eileen.
Hi Eileen-I know what you mean about the hunters. Hubby and I visited Klamath Basin Wildlife refuge last year---only it was DUCK season, and we didn't know it. Did we ever get dirty looks from the hunters. Now is it just me or does it seem odd to call it a REFUGE when there is hunting allowed????? We've seen this in so many places. Hardly seems right to me.
Lovely photos as always Eileen. Gives me a feel for the areas you visited and hope to visit a lot of them one day. It does seem dangerous to have hunters so close and it made me uncomfortable just reading that.
...and sadly...you have said what the reason is...why the hunters come to that area...because they know there are LOTS of birds...it's a bird watching place...and ALL THEY care about is getting their limit for the day! :(
nice pictures! it sure looks like a rough ride on the water that day! but i guess ducks are used to that! :)
Eiders make the most beautiful sound... so sorry to hear about the hunting.
So good these photos!
I like it!
These remind me of how long its been since I've visited the beach. Hope you're having a great WW!
Marvelous captures for the day as always, Eileen! The hunters just make a mess out of beautiful places everywhere, whether it is ducks/birds/deer whatever and I find it so sad! Have a lovely evening!
Sylvia
Wonderful pictures!
http://blogg.birgittasplace.com/
A day out along the beach to enjoy the day and nature should not be interruped with the sound of gunfire.
I'm surprised there is legal hunting that close to the lighthouse.
Neat series Eileen. I like that last one with the breaking of the waves.
That water looks to be a bit rough but the ducks seem to be enjoying it. Great photos.
I hate hunting and don't understand why people do it (unless it's for food only). I'm very vocal about my views on hunting and unfortunately it has caused some heated debates. I usually get the last word in! Ha!!
I shoot with my camera as well, I hope more people do too.
Watery Wednesday
Yikes! It's a wonder people aren't getting shot!
Lovely pictures!
Rough looking sea, and terrific captures.
Another bird I don't see in California. Living inland as we do, we don't often get a chance to see the ocean species.
As for hunting, the refuges do try to keep hunters and birders separate but I guess that is easier inland. During deer season I go hiking and just hope I don't get shot.
I don't mind hunters, but shooting around a populated area is just crazy.
I hope your little ducks stay safe too, Eileen. :)
This is hunting season, and I say the hunters are very inconsiderate.
We went to visit the Sony Bono Wildlife Preserve last month, and how so ironic that you could hear gun shots popping.
They are always just a little too far away!
I don’t think there is much overlap between your birds and mine! So I hope you enjoy the newbie!
Cheers Stewart M - Australia
I don't understand the lure of hunting animals for sport at all. Thanks for your photos.
I hate the thought of any bird or animal being shot in the name of sport - I have only seen an Eider duck on one occasion and that was at Lerwick in the Shetland Isles - Jane UK
Beautiful images. The water looks, cold, and a tad choppy.
WALKING IN SUNSHINE is my Wednesday Link.
I love these birds, but only ever seen them from a distance, unfortunately.
I'm sorry to hear about the duck hunters. You took some love shots.
PS I meant to say lovely shots although love shots works in a funny way too
You have certainly raised a great debate: Hunting vs nature loving. There is no easy answer. As the focus of hunting moves toward conservation I think we are not at such dramatic cross purposes with the hunters. As a photographer I sure don't like getting kicked out of of the nature preserve at the peak of the migration to accomodate the hunt. When a Whooping crane is shot out of the sky, like it was this year, your point is made: A shotgun blast is not discriminating.
These fellows/gals look to be having quite a good time in spite of the choppy seas. Guess it is through instinct they take it all into stride. We do not hunt and have never hunted...have never owned a gun...guess we are of a different generation. In the county where we live EVERYONE has guns and they all live for the kill. I shutter each time the shot goes off for fear it is going to come across the highway and hit one of us. You pictures give me hope...hope that these fellows will main safe and make it to create more little ducklings. genie
I certainly share others' concerns about allowing the hunters to get so close to a public use area. Love your sea duck photos!
First, I enjoyed seeing and learning about the eiders. I know the word from crossword puzzles mostly but have never (to my knowledge) seen any.
Second (and more important) -- I share all of your concerns about hunting. It's a problem for us around the Lake where we stay when we're in Oregon -- season started in August, so after that we have to be careful about when and where to walk....I don't "get" it either.
What great captures. Each one is wonderful on its own.
Hi Eileen, I wish we humans would leave our wildlife alone and let them live their lives.... GADS!!!!!
Cute little eiders --and you captured some great photos of them.
Hugs,
Betsy
very difficult to take photos with these waves, but I can feel them quite good... So many Eiders, that's nice!
Beautiful post, Eileen. It looks as though you certainly braved the weather to capture those great shots.
nice! Soon they will come back to my area. Ot the soast of course so I will have to take a trip to Nyköping to see them. Then it is soon spring. :)
Great series!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Eileen,
Sorry to hear the hunters are too close to where you are watching ducks that you love. I've never really understood hunting, especially if it's ducks.
thanks for the bird i.d. on my blog. the picture of the female house finch in my bird i.d. book looks so different. the color and the neck are different, even the beak.....but i did think that's what it was!!
thanks again!!
wow! those are pretty cute!
thanks for dropping by my WW at www.gregdemcydias.com
Hi Eileen, Beautiful shots of those ducks riding the waves in that choppy surf. I have never seen an Eider duck. They look great - a bit like my favorite Buffleheads. Have a super good Thursday tomorrow!
That is awful..if there was hunting allowed here, it would sound like a war..people would love it, but you have to go out into the country. At least a bow requires some skill, how good do you have to be with a high powered rifle....I enjoyed the seeing the bird bobbing on the water...Michelle
They don't mind the rough seas don't they?
Splash from Disney World.
beautiful photos of the ducks. But sad to know that there are hunters in the area.
Your watery photos are very cold and wintery as well-imagine! Doesn't bother these birds, does it? I wish I knew more about birds since taking up photography--seeing more unusual ones around just in the yard.
Re hunting birds-am saddened that in Kentucky Fish and Wildlife just authorized the first sandhill crane hunting season-seems almost barbaric. Others must have thought the same only 50 were killed out of 500 state limit.
My goodness, I can't imagine having to compete with hunters to watch wildlife, that is very sad, not to mention a little dangerous. Be safe :)
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