Saturday, January 13, 2024

Saturday's Critters # 526

 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! Here is a Saturday's Critters badge if you would like to add it to your post.


Dec 12-13th we were on the road again, just one night in Atlantic City NJ and 2 visits to the Edwin B. Forsythe wildlife refuge. This wildlife refuge is a great place to visit in the winter, to see all the winter ducks and the Snow Geese. My photos were taken from the car while driving on the wildlife drive. 


1. Dec 12th, we arrived mid day to find the visitor center was closed but the wildlife drive is open. 




A view from the wildlife drive and across the bay you can see the Atlantic City hotels and casinos. 





2. Below various ducks we saw were the Green-winged Teal, the Northern Shoveler and the Northern Pintail. 





3. Near the beginning of the wildlife drive, I had a great view of the American Bittern. If only it stayed to pose for my photo, it turned tail and hid in the grasses. 






4. The Hooded Mergansers were seen in big groups at times along the drive. 





5.  We saw lots of female Buffleheads and only a few shy male Buffleheads. 



6.   The Ruddy Ducks look cute with their stiff tail feathers.  




7. The American Black Ducks are a common sight to see at this wildlife refuge.  





8.  Below a Great Blue Heron hanging out with a Great Egret. 




9.  The Canada Geese seemed to be happy standing on the wildlife drive, I hope they stay safe with the cars riding by. 






10.   We saw a few Mute Swans, they looked like they did not want to be disturbed.   






11. The Snow Geese arrive in the winter months in large flocks. They are fun to watch when something upsets them and they all take off making lots of noise only to fly around and land again on the ground or in the water.







12. One lone Snow Geese was looking for food in the grasses along the drive.  




I hope you enjoyed this visit to the wildlife refuge.  


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.

129 comments:

Cloudia said...

I love your sun on the water.

Mae Travels said...

Good to see your Snow Geese. We keep missing them by just days after they have flown back to the north!
Thanks for hosting… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
I do have a special love of waterbirds and you certainly found a goodly number to observe - and getting the Bittern at all is a win! YAM xx

Shiju Sugunan said...

Loved your wildlife adventure! Those Snow Geese are hilarious with their honk-and-fly routine.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Eileen A wonderful collection of duck you saw and photographed as well as lot osf other birds. Thanks for hosting, commenting and I wish you a great week ahead

Rostrose said...

Dear Eileen, the trip was absolutely worth it! There are so many beautiful ducks! I had to laugh at the sentence “If only it stayed to pose for my photo”. I often think that, too. But I think some animals have built-in radar - they disappear when they sense they're being photographed. (I even feel that way when I take photos through the window at home...) But you were able to photograph so many other birds, great! The snow geese are really in impressive numbers - so nice that one of them posed for you!
Warm rust rose greetings and all the best, Traude 😊
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2024/01/servus-ihr-lieben-ich-danke-euch-fur.html

roentare said...

I love the colour on the various ducks, teals, shovellers and pintails.

chica said...

Tão lindos todos:patos, gansos. cenários que encantam sempre!
Lindo fim de semana! beijos, chica

Tine de Jong said...

Good morning from the Netherlands to you and all your friends and visitors. You have share as always beautiful photos. You don't see the bittern very often but you has got him. The photo from the sun on the water was very good taking. I like also all photos. Wish you all a lovely weekend. Greetings from my nature website this time https://catherinetine.blogspot.com

Tine de Jong said...

Sorry for my link but i has two websites. You may remove my comment. I read it to late. Sorry.

Iris Flavia said...

A wildlife drive, now that sounds great!
And WOW on the sun pic by the water. Such colorful ducks. And the Ruddy Duck one wants to cuddle right away...
Are Mute Swans what we call White Swans, I wonder and why mute, don´t they make sounds?
Thank you for this trip, have a great day!
And I absolutely LOVE your sticker" or whatever you call it. Very, very well done. Cute the bird is taller than the elephant :-)

Irma said...

Hello Eileen,
Beautiful series of photos from your trip to the Edwin B. Forsythe Nature Reserve.
I really like the Green-winged Teal, the Northern Shoveler and the Northern Pintail.
The Great Blue Heron together with a Great Egret is also beautiful to see together in a photo.
The snow geese don't occur here, but I love seeing them.
I wish you a very good weekend.
Greetings Irma

Rajani Rehana said...

Beautiful post

italiafinlandia said...

In this post my favourite are the Ruddy ducks with their unique tail and the Snow geese.
All others are anyway cute critters. 👍
Thanks for sharing and happy weekend!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I visited this location many years ago, in September, and it was quite fabulous. It was called the Brigantine NWR back then.

Marit said...

Hello Eileen,

As always very many beautiful photos. The Snow Geese is so pretty.
Take care, and enjoy your werkend!

MadSnapper said...

it is beautiful, love the flock of geese in the sky and bet that was noisy. i much prefer this view of Atlantic City than the one on the boardwalk. to many humans.

rupam sarma said...

Awesome birds photos.
Loved the post. Thanks a lot for hosting.
Happy Weekend.

eileeninmd said...

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

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Mae, for your link and your comment.
We should be able to see the Geese here during the winter on Maryland's Eastern shores.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Yam, for your link and your comment!
Yes, the Bittern is always a treat to see.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

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

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Margaret, for your link and your comment!
It is fun to get out and find the winter ducks here.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Traude, for your link and your comment!
The birds and wildlife can be camera shy, I always try to give them their space.
At home my photos are always taken while looking out the windows.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Rosentare, for your link and your comment.
Winter time is a great time to see a variety of ducks.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Chica, for your comment and your visit.
Yes, I think all the birds are enchanting to see, my simple pleasure is birdwatching.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your link and your comment!
The Bitterns are shy birds, always trying to hide.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend

eileeninmd said...

Thanks, no problem. Have a great day!

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Nice variety and abundance of water birds. That is a wonderful wildlife refuge. When I lived in northern New Jersey I got down there whenever possible.

Jenn Jilks said...

That is a great location!

Caroline said...

Beautiful photos Eileen, I saw once the snow geese. Happy weekend !

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Iris, for your link and your comment.
I read the reason for the name is that the Mute Swan's call does not carry as loud ( more hoarse or muffled) as the other types of swans. The new badge was made by the blogger Shiju, I think it is really pretty. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Irma, for your link and your comment!
It is a treat to see the Snow Geese arrive here for the winter.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

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

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Luisella, for your link and your comment.
The Ruddy Ducks are cute, another one of my favorites.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

Tom said...

...the snow geese are a treat, occasionally I see them here in early spring. Thanks Eileen for hosting, enjoy your weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you David, for your link and your comment.
It is a great wildlife refuge to visit, any time of the year.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marit, for your link and your comment.
The Snow Geese are beautiful, awesome to see in flight.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Sandra, thank you for your comment. We only go to Atlantic City to visit this refuge, maybe to see the sunrise over the ocean. 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 Ken, for your link and your comment.
It is a great spot for birdwatching. We are lucky if we visit this refuge once or twice a year.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Linda, for your comment and your visit.
It was nice to see these ducks, they are just winter visitors.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jenn, for your link and your comment.
Yes, it is a great location for birdwatching.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Caroline! The Snow Geese are a beautiful sight to see! Happy weekend to you!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Tom, for you link and comment. Yes, it is a treat to see the Snow Geese. Have a happy weekend.

Little Wandering Wren said...

What a fabulous wildlife drive, the blue skies and calm waters make for a lovely way to spend an afternoon. The Ducks all look very happy there!
Have a lovely week.
Wren x

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Wren, for the visit and your comment. This is a great habitat for the ducks and all the birds.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

Marie Smith said...

The flock of snow geese is amazing. I think I’ve seen one flying in formation with Canada Geese but no picture to prove it.

Angie's Recipes said...

Such a beautiful wildlife drive! The 2nd photo looks really great.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I'm always amazed at the flocks of Snow Geese! That would be something to see. Neat to find that Bittern, too...they are hard to spot! Enjoy your weekend. Hope it's not too cold!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marie, for your visit and comment. The large flock of geese are amazing to see and hear. Have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Angie, I appreciate your comment. Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Diane! It is always a treat to find the Bittern. We are expecting a very cold week coming up! Take care, have a great weekend.

William Kendall said...

The heron must be my favourite.

RedPat said...

So many different ducks. Love the large flock of Snow Geese, Eileen.

Breathtaking said...

Hello Eileen :=)
The refuse is a fab place to photograph water fowl. I loved seeing all the different ducks, and Snow Geese in great numbers, also the Canada Geese and the Bittern.
Thank you so much for hosting Eileen and for sharing your wildlife sightings and images.
Have a great weekend
All the best
Sonjia,

eileeninmd said...

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

eileeninmd said...

Thank you RedPat, I appreciate your critter link and comment. Have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Sonjia! The wildlife refuge is a great spot for birdwatching, seeing a great variety of birds. I appreciate your link and comment today. Take care, have a great weekend.

Barbara Rogers said...

Great new header, and I see a little badge for Saturday's Critters, which I can use the next time I have some critter photos. Thanks so much for hosting this meme Eileen. It brings out so many great critter posts!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Barbara for linking your critter post and for the comment. I am thankful for all the great critter posts. Take care, have a happy weekend.

Phil Slade said...

Hello Eileen. You had a lovely sunny day or two with your trip to Atlantic City and I am rather pleased you didn't give us pictures of the city itself. What a shame about the Bittern not cooperating but that's what bitterns do best I suppose - hide away. Nice to see the Green-winged teal and how it differs from our Common Teal, no sideswipe on ours! Happy Weekend.

Lea said...

What a wonderful place to visit! Love your photos!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

That is quite the refuge with a great variety of birds. I love snow geese. When I lived in Houston, huge numbers of them would feed on the grain and rice fields east of the city. I remember how they would all take off at once and then like you observed land somewhere else not too far away.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Phil! Our main purpose of this trip was to visit the wildlife refuge. We did stay at the Hard Rock Casino hotel but we did not gamble or walk around the city. The Green-winged Teal is lovely. Have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Lea, it is a great place to visit! I enjoy seeing all the birds. Take care, stay warm! Have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Alan! This refuge does attract a great variety of birds during the winter. I appreciate your link and comment. Take care, stay warm. Have a great weekend.

ellen b. said...

I do enjoy the look of the Ruddy Duck. Very cute. Looks like a nice place to explore. Happy day to you!

John's Island said...

Hi Eileen, Thanks for taking us along to the Edwin B. Forsythe wildlife refuge. I sure enjoyed this post with all the ducks and geese. I especially enjoyed the Snow Geese and your mention, “They are fun to watch when something upsets them and they all take off making lots of noise only to fly around and land again on the ground or in the water.” That kind of bird behavior always makes me smile and wonder … What goes on in their brains? 😊 High marks for your new Saturday’s Critters Badge. Thanks for hosting and for sharing. Have a happy weekend and week ahead. John PS Thank you for your kind comment on my blog! 😊

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ellen! It is a fun place to explore! Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you John, I appreciate your link and comment. I think the birds are smart when they all take off at the same time, especially if they want to confuse a raptor that is near. The raptor would be lost in the crowd of geese. Take care, have a great weekend.

Inger said...

I thought the duck with the partially green face, the green-winged Teal was beautiful. I used to live in Princeton when I first came to the US and we often went to the Jersey Shore. Thanks for sharing all the bird photos.

Debbie said...

i have friends who go here and this would be perfect for me being able to drive in the car. do you get out periodically or do you stay in the car getting these beautiful pictures?? i'm not sure if we have talked about this park in the past, i think we may have and then i forget!! i am not seeing as many winter birds/ducks here as you are seeing there. i really enjoyed the first 3 amazing pictures, i have not seen those ducks here!! the snow geese are amazing!!

Debbie said...

i forgot to thank you for being such a gracious host!!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Inger! The teal is a beautiful duck! Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Debbie! It is a great wildlife refuge to visit, there are pullover spots where you can park and get out of your car. I see people walking and bike riding too. The winter ducks are great to see here. Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thanks and you are so nice!

carol l mckenna said...

Wow! What a beautiful place and marvelous photo series of our avian friends ~ thanks,

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





















eileeninmd said...

Thank you Carol, for your link and comment. I do enjoy my birdwatching. Take care, stay warm. Have a great weekend.

HappyK said...

You got some terrific shots driving through. Like the swans!

magiceye said...

That's a great variety of ducks!
Happy weekend!

Lowcarb team member said...

Hello Eileen
Happy Saturday to you.
Another lovely critter post.
It was so nice to see the large flocks of Snow Geese in your photographs, and I especially liked the one on its own.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

All the best Jan

Linda said...

Looks like a marvelous place! Thank you for hosting.

ashok said...

Lovely clicks

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen, for your comment and visit.
The swans are pretty.
Take care, stay warm! Have a great day and happy week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your link and comment!
Take care, have a great day and happy week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jan, for your comment and visit.
The Snow Geese are a lovely sight to see.
Take care, stay warm! Have a great day and happy week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Linda, for your link and comment! It is a fun place to visit and birdwatch.
Take care, stay warm! Have a great day and happy week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your comment and visit.
Take care, have a great day and happy week ahead.

Marco Luijken said...

Hello Eileen,
Very nice pictures of this wildlife refuge. Enough to enjoy. So many kind of ducks. And great to see all geese.
The last picture is very well done and so nice with the small grass in his beak.

Many greetings,
Marco

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marco, for the comment and visit. I did enjoy my visit the refuge. Take care and have a great week!

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...


Beautiful photographs!

eileeninmd said...

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

Jeanie said...

I love that you travel so much together and that you both like doing the same thing. The photos are terrific -- all that beautiful blue!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Jeanie! Yes, hubby and I both have a love for the outdoors and all things nature related. Take care, stay safe and warm. Have a wonderful weekend.

DeniseinVA said...

Oh I would love to go to this place. You got great shots Eileen! Thanks for sharing another interesting place. I 'll put this one on my bucket list. Have a great Sunday and a great week also.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Denise, I appreciate your visit and comment. It is a great place to visit, lots of wonderful birds. Take care, stay warm and safe. Have a great week!

21 Wits said...

Hello Eileen thanks for the badge although I forgot once I clicked to add it to this post but I will in the future, it's very cool. Your travels through nature are wonderful, critters in their own element enjoying life as it should be! Take care, Karen

Violetta said...

I don´t have critter photos...but they are nice to look at. Thanks for visiting my blog. I wish you all the best and a good time
Violetta

diane b said...

You find so many wildlife places. Good to hear. Love the green colour on the first duck.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen, for your critter link and your comment. Take care, have a great week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Violetta, for your comment and visit. Take care, have a great week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Diane! The Green-wing Teal is a lovely duck. Take care, have a great week!

Veronica Lee said...

I enjoyed reading about your wildlife adventure.
Your beautiful photos never cease to amaze us, Eileen

Hugs and blessings

eileeninmd said...

Veronica, thank you for your link and comment. Take care, have a great day and happy week ahead.

Teresa said...

Me parece un gran recorrido. Todas las aves se ven preciosas. Que tengas una bonita semana.

Rain said...

Beautiful photos Eileen. I love the first one with Atlantic City in the background!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Teresa, your comment is appreciated. Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Rain, for your visit and comment. Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

Sharon Wagner said...

Nature greetings from Costa Rica!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Sharon! I love Costa Rica, one of my favorite places. Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

Angie said...

Eileen - that Green-Winged Teal is gorgeous. And how fantastic to spot the elusive American Bittern! Well done! Thanks for visiting my blog, and have a wonderful week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Angie! The Teal is gorgeous. I appreciate your visit and comment. Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

baili said...

heartfelt thanks for bringing the majestic beauty of nature roaming around you dear friend !
what a trip Eileen .so many forms of gorgeous bids wandering close to water or in the water wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
heavenly views that comfort heart and bring smile to soul and eyes :)))
God bless you for this kindness my friend!
hugs and blessings

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Baili, I do enjoy nature, it was a nice getaway. Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

Rainbow Evening said...

wonderful views.... and lovely duck....
have a great day

eileeninmd said...

Thanks so much for your visit and comment. Take care, have a great day!

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

Love it so much when you post waterfowl pictures, I never get tired of seeing them!

Laura. M said...

Me gustó conocer el refugio. Soltemos el lastre y volemos :)
Buena semana Eileen.
Un abrazo.

eileeninmd said...

Thanks so much for the comment. I enjoy seeing and sharing the ducks. Take care, have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Laura! Take care, have a great day!

EricaSta said...

Thank you for the nice comment. And of course I'm happy to return the favor. The pictures with the stories make exciting reading again, dear Eileen. I really enjoyed your report. And it also brought back memories of "The Wonderful Adventures of Nils", an enchanting story ... Do you know it too?


Thank you for this wonderful post about
MosaicMonday

Warm hugs from Heidrun

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Heidrun. I have fun making my mosaic's for your linky party. I will have to google that story. Take care, have a great day!

Liam Ryan said...

Loved reading your blog. Those green-winged teal are so beautiful :)

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Liam. The Teal is a beauty. Take care, have a great day!

DeniseinVA said...

Hello again, I also wanted to mention how much I enjoy your other posts too, and your quotes. Thank you Eileen, have a good one!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for the nice comment Denise! Take care, enjoy your day!

Ana Freire said...

As imagens estão lindas! Que privilégio imenso, eu poder apreciar de perto, espécies que não encontro por estes lados!
Adorei as fotos, Eileen! E com umas tonalidades sublimes...
Beijinhos
Ana

eileeninmd said...

Thanks again, Ana! The Mergansers are pretty ducks, but I love them all. Take care, have a wonderful day!

Happy Monday!

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