Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Chincoteague NWR lifers

 I am linking up with Wild Bird Wednesday and Nature Notes

For this weeks featured bird, I am sharing my Chincoteague NWR lifers.



September 24, 2013

We arrived in Chincoteague NWR around 9:30am and stayed for a day and a half. Awesome birds were seen and of course I was able to add a couple of lifers to my list.




 I am always excited to see the Black Skimmers, they are cool looking birds with their distinctive red and black bill. Pictured above are the Skimmers, Willets, Forster's Terns, Marbled Godwits and possibly my lifer the Bar-tailed Godwit. In this photo, I believe my Godwit lifer is in the top right hand corner standing next to a few Willets.  The Bar-tailed has a two toned bill..pink with a dark edge. The female Bar-tailed Godwit was found in Chincoteague back on August 3rd. I was happy that a Virginia birder pointed out the Bar-tailed Godwit, it is a very cool lifer for me.





The Marbled Godwit above seem to have a longer bill, also pink with the dark tip.





Not the best shot, but another image of the Bar-tailed Godwit located on the far left of the photo.


Above the Bar-tailed has it's wing stretched out.




Another one of my Chincoteague lifers is the Sandwich Tern.  This bird is easily id with the yellow tip on its black bill.




I hope you enjoyed birding with me at the Chincoteague NWR. If you are ever in the area I would highly suggest a visit.

Join in and post your birdies and to see more beautiful and wonderful bird photos please visit:
 Stewart's Wild Bird Wednesday and Michelle's  Nature Notes.

Thanks to Stewart for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday and thanks to Michelle for hosting Nature Notes.

Thanks for stopping by and for leaving your nice comments. I always appreciate your visits.
I wish everyone a happy week ahead and Happy Birding!







51 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

terns and skimmers are just so cool. :)

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

Great captures, Congrats..

NatureFootstep said...

I´m not sure but I think I have seen the Sandwich Tern. Looks great beside the others. :)

Hootin Anni said...

I love to watch the black skimmers!!! Your images, Eileen, are super.

Montanagirl said...

Love your photos! You saw a lot of very neat birds. Congrats on your lifers!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i really enjoy shot #6 ... the feather details. nice ones. ( :

Stephanie said...

Cool looking birds.

Saun said...

Hi Eileen, that first shot is gorgeous love them all.

HappyK said...

Such great colors in that first picture. Really nice!!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Lovely shots of the skimmers :)

Carver said...

Wonderful shots. I love the way you caught some in flight.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Wonderful birding in a wonderful place ...that first photo looks like a painting!

Congrats on the lifers!! I see the difference with the sandwich tern; maybe I could ID him if I saw him....but for the other one, shore birds are very hard for me....I'd need you as a tour guide for that one ;>)

Gordon said...

Congrats on the new 'lifers'!

Pallavi said...

Such vivid pictures Eileen. Loved each one of them.

Karen said...

Grand shots! It's always great to add lifers to the list!

Kusum said...

That first picture is nice!

DeniseinVA said...

That's exciting to see those new birds Eileen, and your photos are great!

Carletta said...

Beautiful light in your first shot Eileen!
Love the colors in the last couple of shots!
Wonderful captures and congrats on the lifers! Always makes a trip worthwhile.

betchai said...

those are gorgeous birds to see.

Suzan said...

Great shots Eileen! I don't think I've ever see them sitting. they always seem to be flying, or running along the water line.

Jocee said...

Great pictures. The 2 terns in the last shot look very relaxed. :-)

Les Fous du Cap said...

Very beautiful series;-)
Céline & Philippe

Irma said...

Hi Eileen,
Great photos, especially the last three are my favorite.
Greetings Irma

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Hi Eileen i am sure you are pleased with the 2 lifers you saw. well done.

DIMI said...

Hallo Eileen!!!
Wonderful pictures!!!Great captures!!!
Very beautiful birds!!!
Amazing the first photo!!!
Have a happy day!!Hugs!!
Dimi...

Stewart M said...

Nice birds! I'd be getting excited about the Marbled Godwit (and a few others if the truth be told!)

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Nancy said...

Sandwich Tern. Love that name and it's a beauty~

Ramakrishnan said...

Such lovely images - so enchanting and endearing.

Gail Dixon said...

Congrats on so many cool lifers! You find all the best spots. These are truly wonderful and exciting birds to see.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Oh what excitement - I love to see birds I've not seen before. Last winter was a good one - lots of ducks off their regular migration route for some reason.

Your photos are fabulous!!!!

Small City Scenes said...

Very cool birds. And well captured. Good for you. Did you see any ponies? MB

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

A great group of photos, including the lifers you were excited to capture Eileen.
Judith

Debbie said...

i love all these shore birds....the terns are my favorite!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Eileen, So happy for you on your new sighting! The Terns are beautiful. I am just getting to know Atlantic sea birds. Your pictures are great! Glad you had fun. Have an excellent day!

Unknown said...

Beautiful shots of the skimmers and the terns.

Maude Lynn said...

Gorgeous birds!

mick said...

Great photos of the birds and it's always exciting to see and photograph some "lifers". Very nice to see some photos of Bar-tailed Godwits over your way.

Our Neck of the Woods said...

I really like the Sandwich Terns. Very cute! Congrats on the lifers!

grammie g said...

Hi Eileen... Lifers are always exciting to add to the list!!
Great group of shore bird photo's!!

Grace

Arija said...

Apart from all your bird shots, the light in the first shot (sunrise??) is pure magic.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

It's always exciting to find new birds and be able to watch them in their natural habitat. Seems you had a wonderful time away.

KL said...

Ah! I love seeing birds in beach. It's fascinating to see they finding something to eat from sand. What do they get? I often go to the spot to see what the bird was picking out but could not find anything. Nice shots, esepcially the close-up ones.

Brian King said...

This is the kind of place I would love to visit! Beautiful! Congratulations on your lifers!

Rambling Woods said...

Oh it looks like a great place to bird and you takes some great photos and pass along tips.. Thank you for linking into Nature Notes Eileen.. Michelle

betty-NZ said...

Such lovely little creatures. I think the terns are the prettiest.

Bob Bushell said...

A favourite of mine, and shot them; and you had a lifer, well done.

Indrani said...

Each picture is so full of life! I can imagine the cacophony there.

MyMaracas said...

When I visit you I nearly always see a bird I've never heard of. Love it!

Dave said...

Well done with the Barwit, great bird, also the Tern. A great feeling when you bag a lifer "or two"

Lynne said...

Happy for you Eileen finding more of your Lifers. I can see you smiling all the way to Michigan!

Betty Manousos said...

pretty looking birds!
stunning photos!love all of these.
such a beautiful place...that's my dream view everyday!

xx

Happy Monday!

Wishing everyone a great day and a ha ppy new week! Thank you to all Veterans who serve, for protecting our country and our freedoms.  "...