Saturday, September 23, 2023

Saturday's Critters # 510

 Welcome to Saturday's Critters!

Hello and happy Saturday!

 If you love all God's creatures like I do and also like to blog about them and take critter photos this is where you can share your critter post. Link up your post and share your critters, join in with my critter party ! You can share any kind of critters the real ones, pretend ones, statues and paintings, a new or old post!

This post is part 2 of our visit to Bombay Hook NWR in Delaware. Since we spent the night in Dover Delaware we were able to visit the wildlife refuge early in the morning.  I like seeing the refuge during the low tide also the lighting is different on the pools. 


1. I love seeing the large groups of Snowy Egrets and the Great Egrets, we also saw a Tricolored Heron hanging out with the Great Egrets and a few Green Herons. The American Goldfinch was eating some seeds off a nearby plant, American Avocets look busy grooming themselves, a Common Moorhen was hidden in the wetland grasses. In the last row, I was undecided if I was seeing the Purple Martins or Swallows, someone listed Bank Swallows on ebird for this sight. A pair of Bald Eagles were seen off in the distance near their nest and last are more Egrets with a Glossy Ibis. 

As always, click on images for larger viewing.





Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets and the American Avocets. 







Below are the Great Egret and a Tricolored Heron.  The Tricolored has the long bill and a white belly.






The Green Heron, one of my favorite herons.  One of the smaller herons only 17 inches tall. 





The male Indigo Bunting, is a pretty color blue.









We enjoyed watching this Indigo Bunting, calling out his familiar sound.







A pretty male American Goldfinch, found some seeds to eat. At this spot I saw a movement out of the corner of my eye, it was a Least Bittern. The Least Bittern disappeared into the grasses, it was too fast for my camera but a great sighting. 






The low tide brings out the Clapper Rails, foraging in the muddy area of the wetlands. 









The two Clapper Rails went off in different directions and soon disappeared in the grasses. 







The Semipalmated Plover is a cutie! 











We enjoyed our picnic lunch in the car while watching these two Green Herons at the edge of the pond. 








A front view of the Green Heron, it looks comical. 






A view of the pool, way off in the distance are lots of little shorebirds looking like little brown spots, closer in are the American Avocets, Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets and the Glossy Ibis.



Bombay Hook NWR is a great place to see the birds,  many are breeders and are here during the summer. 


Thank you for sharing your critters and post!

Thanks to all my visitors and for your past and present comments. Stop back to see any replies to your comments. I appreciate everyone who loves and respects wildlife. Thank you for linking up a critter post.



Here is my linky:


I am linking up to Heidrun's Mosaic Monday  I hope you can stop by and visit Heidrun and check out the Mosaic Monday post. 

99 comments:

Shiju Sugunan said...

It sounds like you had quite an adventure with all the different bird species you encountered. Beautiful pics!

Iris Flavia said...

The Green Heron sure stands out! Wow, this is a great pic you took, also art-wise. Chapeau, I´m impressed.
(They´re all beautiful, of course!).
Happy Critters-Saturday to you!

magiceye said...

All such lovely critters!
Happy weekend!

roentare said...

The indigo bunting looks so elegant and beautiful!

Angie's Recipes said...

They are so very beautiful! I love particularly the egrets and Indigo Bunting.

Cloudia said...

Yes, the little green heron is adorable. And a bald eagle is always thrilling to see. Thanks Irene. I look forward to our weekly get together. Have a good weekend Aloha

Marit said...

Hello Eileen,
Lovely photos! You show so many interesting birds and they are all so beautiful. The White Egret is one of my favorites. Take care, and have a great weekend!

italiafinlandia said...

The Indigo bunting has a few rivals as for beauty. Love the Semipalmated plover too.
Nice to see images of this beautiful Reservoir.
Happy weekend and happy Autumn equinox!

Irma said...

Hi Eileen,
You show us a beautiful series of photos.
I think the green heron is very beautiful, but the male Indigo Bunting steals the show.
The male American goldfinch is also beautiful.
I wish you a very nice weekend.
Greetings Irma

Rostrose said...

Dear Eileen, early in the morning is of course a particularly good time to observe animals, I learned that in Costa Rica in the Tortugureo National Park. I'm not usually an early riser, but it was worth it. I also see in your case that the early bird can see many other early birds - great. You show many birds that I don't know, e.g. the Tricolored Heron or the Indigo Bunting. I enjoyed accompanying you on that tour!
All the best, Traude
🌺🪶🍂 🪶🌺
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2023/09/mamuz-im-schloss-asparn-40000-jahre.html

Mae Travels said...

The green heron and indigo bunting photos are great -- what wonderfully colored birds. You were really lucky with the rails, too! Your trip looks wonderful.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com

chica said...

A observação que vocês fazem é maravilhosa e fico feliz em aqui poder tantos belos animaizinhos ver!
Adoro!
beijos praianos, chica

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Great series of birds. Seeing the Indigo Bunting reminds me that ours have now departed for the year. It was fun having them.

Black Knight said...

All the birds are beautiful. Difficult to say which my favorite is. Great photos.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Oh my word, Eileen - you have truly excelled this week! Hard to pick but I think, for me (if forced to make it), I would mount the one with the two herons on my wall! YAM xx

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Shiju, for your link and your comment.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Iris, for your link and your nice comment on the Green Heron! They are beautiful birds.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your link and your comment!
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Roentare, for your link and your comment.
The Indigo Bunting is a beauty!
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Angie, for your comment and your visit.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Cloudia, for your link and your comment.
I enjoy seeing all the birds.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marit, for your comment and your visit.
The Egrets are lovely.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Luisella, for your link and your comment.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Irma, for your link and your comment.
The birds are a beautiful sight to see.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Traude, for your link and your comment.
I do enjoy watching my early morning birds. It is a good thing I am an early riser.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Mae, for your comment and your visit.
I was lucky with the Rail sightings.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Chica, for your comment and your visit.
I was happy to see all these birds.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you David, for your link and your comment.
I will miss my summer birds, each year I seem to be seeing less birds.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your comment and your visit.
I agree, the birds are beautiful.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you YAM, for your link and your nice comment.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

Bill said...

All the birds are very beautiful and what a large variety you captured. Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for hosting.

William Kendall said...

Herons are a treat to see.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Bill, for your link and your comment.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you William, for your comment and your visit.
Yes, the Herons are a treat to see, I love all the birds.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

What a great variety of birds in the rich habitat. I especially liked you header image, serene and so beautifully composed

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ken, for your link and your comment.
The wildlife refuge is a great habitat for these birds.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

Jenn Jilks said...

These are wonderful! Such a variety! A lot of our birds are gone south. Take care. Thanks for hosting.

Barbara Rogers said...

Very beautiful birds. LOVE your new header photo!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jenn, I appreciate the comment and your link. Have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Barbara! The birds are beautiful. Take care, enjoy your weekend.

Villrose said...

What a pretty blue bird!

Lea said...

Great photos!
Love the Indigo Bunting photos!
Have a wonderful weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for the comment and link! The Blue bird is lovely to see. Have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Lea, I appreciate the link and your comment. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

MadSnapper said...

I like the collage of clapper rails and I have never seen them before. I have seen only 2 of the green herons in the past. the header of the preserve is so wonderful. i want to sit and stare at it in real time

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Sandra! The rails are a cool find, they are usually hiding in the reeds. The header is not the preserve but a photo of our neighborhood reservoir. Have a great day and happy weekend.

Tom said...

...Eileen, you have quite a visit and I thank you for taking me along to see the sights. Take care and be well.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Tom! I appreciate the link and your comment today. Have a great weekend.

RedPat said...

What a wonderful outing you had, Eileen. I love the Indigo Bunting.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you, RedPat! It was a great outing, the Indigo Bunting is a beauty! Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful series of nature photos from your outing ~ love them all ~ Xo

Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Red said...

Dense flocks on these wetlands. They have many choices of habitat to use for foraging.

Jo said...

Hello Eileen, I love all your birds. The Tri-colored Heron is interesting. I loved the Blue Bunting and the Semi-palmated Plover. The Green heron is a funny picture from the front Thank you for sharing and hosting this meme. I am linking with my humble contribution! Have a great Saturday

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Carol! I appreciate your link and your comment. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Red, for the comment and visit. Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jo! All the birds are great to see, each one is beautiful. I appreciate your link and comment. Take care, enjoy your day. Have a wonderful new week!

Penelope Notes said...

The Indigo Bunting to me is among the biggest stars of this lovely showing of birds!

Breathtaking said...

Hello Eileen :=)
Beautiful selection of birds, large and small, and a bumper variety. The American Goldfinch and Indigo Bunting are very pretty, but I enjoyed your photos of the Herons. The Green Heron especially because it's not as common as the others, and the sweet Plover too. The Clapper Rails was a great find, not a bird I have seen on any blog before. I also love the photo of all the shore birds, beautiful capture.
Thank you for hosting Eileen and enjoy your weekend.
All the best.

Debbie said...

good morning eileen, your images are fabulous today!! the bunting and the goldfinch really stood out to me, both are crisp, clear pictures with vibrant color!! i also enjoyed seeing the tri-colored heron!! i think you are getting the same storm we are, it's coming down in buckets here right now!! so you are going to have an inside weekend but try to enjoy it. many thanks for hosting!!!

21 Wits said...

Good morning Eileen and Happy First Day of Autumn! You've brought us some beautiful nature moments and some of my most favorite critters. I just loving seeing this nature scenes you live and hike around some pretty places. Enjoy these lovely days.... we all know what will be taking place in our next season!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Maria, for your link and your comment.
The bunting is a beauty, one of my many favorites.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Sonjia, for your link and your comment.
I do love birdwatching, my simple pleasure. The Clapper Rails do like hiding in the wetland grasses.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Debbie, for your link and your comment.
Yes, it is raining a lot today, we really needed the rain. I just hope it does not get too windy.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen, for your link and your comment.
We are lucky to have so many great places for hiking and viewing the wildlife.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

GreenComotion said...

"Killer" photos of the birds. I especially liked the 2nd photo and your new cover (is that what it's called?) photo with the water view. Thanks for hosting and have a Happy Weekend!

HappyK said...

What a great place to visit.
You sure got some fantastic pictures.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

You made the most of your outing at Bombay Hook. Such a huge variety of birds you saw and you know them all!! I have only had fleeting glimpses of a green heron and would love to capture an image of one.
Thank you for hosting

Linda said...

These are great shots. I should probably go there before I get too old to travel. Did I tell you my dream car is a self driving RV?

Lydia C. Lee said...

That blue bird is an extraordinary colour!!

rupam sarma said...

Amazing pics

eileeninmd said...

Thanks so much for your link and comment. The water view in my header photo is the reservoir in my neighborhood.
Take care, have a happy day and great new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen! It is a great place to visit. Take care, have a happy day and great new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Alan! It took me the longest time to find my first green heron. They are tiny and blend in well with their surroundings. Take care, have a happy day and great new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Linda, you should try to visit Bombay Hook. There is always something there to see. Take care, have a happy day and great new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Lydia, the Indigo Bunting is a pretty blue color and a beautiful bird. Take care, have a happy day and great new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for the comment and visit. Take care, have a happy day and great new week!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

The Indigo Bunting is gorgeous and I love the snowy egrets. I've only seen them a few times. You see so many birds! It's an exciting time of year for seeing different birds too! Thanks for the party. I'm late! lol

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

That Indigo Bunting is incredible! I know I have seen one somewhere in our travels but I forget where. I know we do not have them around here.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Diane, for your link and your comment. I do love seeing the big flocks of birds, I love all the birds. Happy Sunday, have a wonderful week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you so much for your visit and comment. Happy Sunday, have a wonderful week!

Veronica Lee said...

Such beautiful critters, Eileen.
I especially love the Indigo Bunting. What a beauty!

Hugs and blessings

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Veronica, for the link and comment. The Bunting is a beauty! Have a great day and happy new week!

Rumpelkammer said...

wow.. wondefull pictures
a lot of animals ..
have a nice week

eileeninmd said...

Thanks so much for your visit and your nice comment. Have a great day and happy new week!

Lowcarb team member said...

Hello Eileen
I hope you had an enjoyable weekend.
I enjoyed seeing all the beautiful birds in your post, I think my favourite is the Indigo Bunting, such a fabulous colour.

Enjoy your week.

All the best Jan

DeniseinVA said...

Marvelous photos Eileen, it certainly would be incredible to see all those birds. Thanks so much for sharing them and have a great week!

Jeanie said...

Oh, those egrets! And that indigo bunting, too. I've never seen one of those. You have some marvelous images this week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jeanie! Glad you enjoyed them!
Take care, have a great day and happy week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jan! The Bunting is a beauty! Have a wonderful day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Denise! Have a wonderful day!

Teresa said...

Encantada de ver tus fotografías. Te deseo una feliz semana.

Rainbow Evening said...

we saw Indigo Bunting in our backyard recently.....
such a beautiful bird....

EricaSta said...

If I must choose, the Indigo Bunting is my favorite, dear Eileen. But the other birds here deserve closer attention too. The nature is wonderful and never we can say enough about!

Thank you for sharing at
MosaicMonday

Have a wonderful week, sweet hugs by Heidrun

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Teresa, for visiting my blog and for the comment. Take care, have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your link and for the comment.
The Indigo Bunting is a beauty! Take care, have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Heidrun! I appreciate the comment. I do love all the birds, nature is wonderful. Take care, have a great day!

Majo Dutra said...

I went on a long vacation because an illness that is still being treated...
It is always a pleasure to appreciate your magnificent photos and the creatures
from the animal kingdom... I'm enchanted...
🎉👑
Today, I have an invitation...
Dear friend, I invite you to participate in my ''birthday party'' that I publish in my
blog 'A Vivenciar'... Clic on my name...
It's virtual, but sincere and meaningful.
Beautiful and happy days... Hugs 🌿🌼🌷🌿🌿💌
~~~~~~~~~~

John's Island said...

Hi Eileen! Saturday's Critters is always a delight. During my almost 3-month hiatus from blogging, not only did I not post, but, for the most part, I didn't look at other's blogs. Of course, there were a few exceptions ... like Saturday's Critters! :-) Who can resist? :-) John

eileeninmd said...

Thank you John, I appreciate your visits and the comment today. I hope all was well during your blogging break. It is good to hear from you. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

Happy Monday!

Wishing everyone a great day and a ha ppy new week! "Whatever your beliefs, spread love not hate." East Paden Twin Bridge, Fishing...