tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40416434940331948022024-03-17T04:40:29.553-07:00Birds, Butterflies and Sunsets
at Cape May Point Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-65143622562911110052018-01-14T20:33:00.000-08:002018-01-20T14:28:52.329-08:00The Herring takes the cake!After driving through pouring rains, wind swept soggy roads and blurry fogs, Cape May was finally in sight after midnight. Bright sunshine, brisk blustery winds and biting cold welcomed us the following morning. We combed ebird alerts and hourly updates for any snowy owl sightings over hot tea and oatmeal. There had been sightings in recent days at Nummy Island, Stone Harbor and Forsyth, so off we drove, hoping this would be the day.<br />
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Between the toll and the free bridges on Nummy island, we trained our binoculars on the landscape: a person carrying a rifle at 2:00, a white bucket at 5:00, a large flock of Brants in the bay, diving ducks on the right, but no owl.<br />
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Despite spending 2 days of scouring the tidal bays and meadows from the car, visiting Nummy Island twice and driving through the Forsyth Wildlife Drive and chatting with other birders, we didn't catch a glimpse of a snowy owl, but we did enjoy many other amazing sights, including:<br />
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soaring birds</div>
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beautiful ice creations</div>
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ice filled landscapes</div>
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and numerous birds,</div>
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including an immature common loon, long tailed ducks in winter plumage, american black ducks, 100's of brant geese, a northern harrier, a peregrine falcon, northern pintails,</div>
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common merganser and even a bufflehead. </div>
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But the bird who took the cake and a show bird at that, was </div>
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a Herring Gull. </div>
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As we drove along Forsyth Wildlife Drive, a gull suddenly landed abruptly right in front of our car. </div>
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We stopped in the nick of time and then he began his show. </div>
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He had a large oyster and </div>
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flew up above us about 6 to 8 feet </div>
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then dropped it onto the road, over and over.</div>
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After just 3 times, success!</div>
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After gobbling it down, off he flew, </div>
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leaving us in wonder and delight to take in the late afternoon rays</div>
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for a memorable weekend, after all.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-7382718988881313992017-08-18T17:25:00.000-07:002017-08-18T17:25:05.045-07:00Southbound Butterflies and MothsEverywhere I looked, butterflies and moths were busy moving from flower to flower, jiggling, flapping, and sipping nectar and headed south fast.<br />
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The first I spotted, near the ponds at Cape May Point State Park, was this beautiful </div>
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Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (<i>Hemaris Thysbe</i>) </div>
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with it's bright blue antennae dancing around a swamp milkweed.</div>
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A male Black Swallowtail (<i>Papilio polyxenes</i>) </div>
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was pounding and vigorously shaking the flowers, </div>
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as it searched aggressively for nectar.</div>
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This handsome and flashy Red Admiral butterfly (<i>Vanessa atalanta</i>) caught my eye with his striped antennae and brown checkered compound eyes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXTHbDc7R7yo6YxpKoto7PuY6YyjLsSyNosNTgA61gUqqL2FTP75MHYjNCmU19Xgiu6N6xGrU-nzuW1L55eOawa0VEoZraC-ob0pU2iJ5MsOHl-AjFAyEPhAUHt80lxPy8p7odX8FWHoO/s1600/IMG_1410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1594" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXTHbDc7R7yo6YxpKoto7PuY6YyjLsSyNosNTgA61gUqqL2FTP75MHYjNCmU19Xgiu6N6xGrU-nzuW1L55eOawa0VEoZraC-ob0pU2iJ5MsOHl-AjFAyEPhAUHt80lxPy8p7odX8FWHoO/s400/IMG_1410.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This gorgeous American Lady Butterfly (<i>Vanessa virginiensis</i>) was a beauty to behold as she twirled around in all her glory, with beautiful blue eyespots on the hind underwings, bright pinkish orange red on the upperside, a little perky upturned snout and gold tipped antennae. </div>
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As I walked on towards the beach, more and more flitted by and these are </div>
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just a few I was able to capture:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0oF1KEom5nu9fWR0HhJeT8lCqvND5UU1MjyYthUyTQLRYeD6MH65FVsBNHX_IuH3_WYdA2dyWw8q0L_1PtURqF4esHwe2jMJs8P608vOJq1QU0Oa4IeSNESpMCUdZ9IXlhQbqbnmtDii/s1600/IMG_1665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1586" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0oF1KEom5nu9fWR0HhJeT8lCqvND5UU1MjyYthUyTQLRYeD6MH65FVsBNHX_IuH3_WYdA2dyWw8q0L_1PtURqF4esHwe2jMJs8P608vOJq1QU0Oa4IeSNESpMCUdZ9IXlhQbqbnmtDii/s400/IMG_1665.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
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Even though very tattered, this Common Buckeye (<i>Junonia coenia</i>) whizzed by, frequenting many </div>
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flowers as he coursed south.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6rHT_1Ro3KAqcKi2lP427JJ1lTaIIsTBFnZ0EF2Cugu9jwuOM1hQE3d29WgZt5q3OhqUpgFcPNLgUgx_Vb99PC17Zqtnt03eIj3T3dpzjasqKDimx3hu0kTHV5rIXxdXlMET654vLF1K/s1600/IMG_1636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1557" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6rHT_1Ro3KAqcKi2lP427JJ1lTaIIsTBFnZ0EF2Cugu9jwuOM1hQE3d29WgZt5q3OhqUpgFcPNLgUgx_Vb99PC17Zqtnt03eIj3T3dpzjasqKDimx3hu0kTHV5rIXxdXlMET654vLF1K/s400/IMG_1636.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnc5laG64P8cqt37FyU8LIgnR_flFWTRumkYJc_BAJvvjxNJMuwybEnQ5iE-pqr3E0TmNQg73pqse9NacYoJn7DTLusQCIbXo6dcdC0cso3-6KLlA-G7c5_IAddJDI_t_-OlIghqV-bS8/s1600/IMG_1635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1288" data-original-width="1600" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnc5laG64P8cqt37FyU8LIgnR_flFWTRumkYJc_BAJvvjxNJMuwybEnQ5iE-pqr3E0TmNQg73pqse9NacYoJn7DTLusQCIbXo6dcdC0cso3-6KLlA-G7c5_IAddJDI_t_-OlIghqV-bS8/s400/IMG_1635.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This dandy, a Variegated Fritillary (<i>Euptoieta claudia</i>), </div>
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delicately perched as it gathered needed supplies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Cqqf2c7g2MUsGjFuZilJtbRE7N-K-vxef7qmCeQxRZd5usIqx8ndASibak07PFEJ6I_LykbjN_uQBUCsdQZD9KQlG0eXtKqseRXeVGoQVV8ghZofKSnHx8tQpFs7s5AhHF9xmGZ0ZWlq/s1600/IMG_1623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1330" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Cqqf2c7g2MUsGjFuZilJtbRE7N-K-vxef7qmCeQxRZd5usIqx8ndASibak07PFEJ6I_LykbjN_uQBUCsdQZD9KQlG0eXtKqseRXeVGoQVV8ghZofKSnHx8tQpFs7s5AhHF9xmGZ0ZWlq/s400/IMG_1623.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Spinning down and around on this low lying yellow flower, an American Copper (<i>Lycaena phlaeas) </i>finds her way.</div>
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I look forward to seeing more butterflies and moths pass through as they make their amazing migrations south.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-81104698181867405812017-08-16T09:35:00.000-07:002017-08-16T17:31:06.214-07:00Bees and BunniesWalking through Cape May Point State Park one afternoon, a young naive bunny was resting in the shade, at one of my favorite spots, under an old cedar tree.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4YW8nQ6Ms5Ea-P9yUbEhqTt6HuoykN23c5G3D8BHAfL4wk8z5CDbQI2PoiJAaiFnPCNWb5rN2upw0nmDe92B6CTSPnDNhVoBNi_-KFWAnzmt1OB7oXqIIX4Du72RC4zGrFhU_gjbTh1R/s1600/IMG_1516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4YW8nQ6Ms5Ea-P9yUbEhqTt6HuoykN23c5G3D8BHAfL4wk8z5CDbQI2PoiJAaiFnPCNWb5rN2upw0nmDe92B6CTSPnDNhVoBNi_-KFWAnzmt1OB7oXqIIX4Du72RC4zGrFhU_gjbTh1R/s640/IMG_1516.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I got closer and closer and he didn't budge. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzrF-_zLwModWhr5xllkEiQLgIrZZ5-_AwwJR-v72KLYE5FmX6og1mV_nGwkU-SfhTd2ZTqPxdCXwL6tHE3C9JXokJjGZh29kKLWZX1KMQ8TA-GDmgguvrySxBZQusHG1_YtWwUsUZ-Gg/s1600/IMG_1521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzrF-_zLwModWhr5xllkEiQLgIrZZ5-_AwwJR-v72KLYE5FmX6og1mV_nGwkU-SfhTd2ZTqPxdCXwL6tHE3C9JXokJjGZh29kKLWZX1KMQ8TA-GDmgguvrySxBZQusHG1_YtWwUsUZ-Gg/s400/IMG_1521.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Having enough of me, he dashed off into the bushes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTZCoM-hwFjaEhYH4vtvsyH0zyY3vaqUsuksRiDy5ZeZhtB4SLqEauebkCMm51bnJyk7Bzr3VB86YthGGeVvB3kYBYnWZA-lzvCWfJbnFG-mJYqb8S2v1nEpKay-cOwuBpD6WooM8yCiR/s1600/IMG_1540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1422" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTZCoM-hwFjaEhYH4vtvsyH0zyY3vaqUsuksRiDy5ZeZhtB4SLqEauebkCMm51bnJyk7Bzr3VB86YthGGeVvB3kYBYnWZA-lzvCWfJbnFG-mJYqb8S2v1nEpKay-cOwuBpD6WooM8yCiR/s400/IMG_1540.jpg" width="355" /></a></div>
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Just beyond, making homes in the hard packed sandy soil, the Rose Mallow bees were hard at work again. (<a href="https://capemaypointbeauty.blogspot.com/2016/08/rose-mallow-season-and-their-special-bee_17.html">See blog entry from August 17, 2016</a>). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyN6pptOknJeaPS1MXT-iWCZYdTwkopNemD-XtGJKWCrcRSzfO2ZZdzJiQZ6Tu7KlyW7joOJyJJhaewvGKAWIMmUTdv5kWo7nQSCPEpIm50gBtp2kRx51VUDeFBJfWgwhOcpnjCTKKw7r/s1600/IMG_1507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1522" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyN6pptOknJeaPS1MXT-iWCZYdTwkopNemD-XtGJKWCrcRSzfO2ZZdzJiQZ6Tu7KlyW7joOJyJJhaewvGKAWIMmUTdv5kWo7nQSCPEpIm50gBtp2kRx51VUDeFBJfWgwhOcpnjCTKKw7r/s400/IMG_1507.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This time I noticed, that the bees actually carry water to help loosen the soil, so they can dig holes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X7ZSCC_nMS9_jb-6k2shgaEt3Ml8SKZm5AWXF43wEAkgnfzYzq163yQE8UItXxFhD-RDanMwtn9Y-PMlK9nJOF8yjkdKbV8Ou3TZZvt8tytB4VRaZHVp7u5LMmxk0gtuQiJ_ZZwkiV9W/s1600/IMG_1450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="1268" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X7ZSCC_nMS9_jb-6k2shgaEt3Ml8SKZm5AWXF43wEAkgnfzYzq163yQE8UItXxFhD-RDanMwtn9Y-PMlK9nJOF8yjkdKbV8Ou3TZZvt8tytB4VRaZHVp7u5LMmxk0gtuQiJ_ZZwkiV9W/s400/IMG_1450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I also saw a large bearded insect positioned between the holes </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOTZuBzmxBDeM9PDR9jlScQW8glQWNYEfRkcHyXJTdou_v8zhtj-QjsIpDV8cO1g4UAC2UBgybrvZ0zVuEDK_LcsjcmCJXqMRyFWJUi2oySe_dVVqvViQTldZC1qGEbHR6Xw518JCK39b/s1600/IMG_1483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOTZuBzmxBDeM9PDR9jlScQW8glQWNYEfRkcHyXJTdou_v8zhtj-QjsIpDV8cO1g4UAC2UBgybrvZ0zVuEDK_LcsjcmCJXqMRyFWJUi2oySe_dVVqvViQTldZC1qGEbHR6Xw518JCK39b/s400/IMG_1483.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpn5DlKRjOTelX2hXOb2akc6eYUSu2MLMiyVFcsKlvH90FLT9wpN35QU9KgiAVJvQ7vgBOxAYxNjmss38kdrWNe-qkxaycxkFjXow-R0usApO4PPFOxiS87jI8R4zriaTjp3Tw2Pe_6mx/s1600/IMG_1502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="785" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpn5DlKRjOTelX2hXOb2akc6eYUSu2MLMiyVFcsKlvH90FLT9wpN35QU9KgiAVJvQ7vgBOxAYxNjmss38kdrWNe-qkxaycxkFjXow-R0usApO4PPFOxiS87jI8R4zriaTjp3Tw2Pe_6mx/s400/IMG_1502.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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and I wondered if it was a predator, and sure enough, he zoomed and zagged trying to grab the bees as they worked, provisioning their nests.</div>
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Here is the result of Rose Mallow Bees' hard work -</div>
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thousands and thousands of beautiful rose mallows for as far as the eye can see.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmoRIx8VI01KJZ_GrxM9OCIJzxXnblgKN6lxM4xNowfhMUBpCBaDsckpUFE12SsZIlBGFO4wkHCqII1v8qSBSBuIsMUcl3Rr4FVy-OFxoeSMb11vJT8_fyIno_OGBY9fVQSCM08xwhWcO/s1600/IMG_1379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmoRIx8VI01KJZ_GrxM9OCIJzxXnblgKN6lxM4xNowfhMUBpCBaDsckpUFE12SsZIlBGFO4wkHCqII1v8qSBSBuIsMUcl3Rr4FVy-OFxoeSMb11vJT8_fyIno_OGBY9fVQSCM08xwhWcO/s640/IMG_1379.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-29561846808073376142017-07-20T18:37:00.000-07:002017-07-20T18:37:13.395-07:00Moonset<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
During a recent sunset in early July at the Point, a fellow sunset watcher, asked if we had ever seen a moonset. </div>
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A moonset? </div>
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Never thought about it. </div>
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A moonset is best, of course, seen during a full moon and lucky us, there was one that weekend. </div>
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So, we set our clocks early for Saturday morning, July 8 at 4:45 a.m. The alarm rang and looking outside, we saw a mist and likely not good viewing for the moonset. Back to bed, we went.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVb75gcMgDdH6FgOKr7-g1vT1Jpu1K7zCk9wUFymthOSOINiQf46QuOraqbc_U_gs9xUAfqKwxgwf31YlgoP1Bpxdvdg_TE3Ug702xnCJbSPYOh7hHMW6TJG7jfLi1mCnfDed-Qk6fT0Jr/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-07-20+at+9.02.43+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1330" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVb75gcMgDdH6FgOKr7-g1vT1Jpu1K7zCk9wUFymthOSOINiQf46QuOraqbc_U_gs9xUAfqKwxgwf31YlgoP1Bpxdvdg_TE3Ug702xnCJbSPYOh7hHMW6TJG7jfLi1mCnfDed-Qk6fT0Jr/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-07-20+at+9.02.43+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The next night, we went to set the alarm for the same time, but I thought we should double check the time. So glad we did, as we could get up even later, 5:45 a.m. The alarm went off, the skies were clear and we could see stars from the window. </div>
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Off we dashed to the beach and we made it just in the nick of time,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAHF3FObn1a58eD_TPzcMVMyqHSMxtRejHBBL1JJ4VOvvSm1Irjuu_8BTSzPY7MRlgUokQ-1XkaFKYIbXlGanG8IJKiGvEOwEXiAkj3UpGySGNTcp5Itn0vu1dpf86HeRPNkN_VJKuWjx/s1600/IMG_1104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1136" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAHF3FObn1a58eD_TPzcMVMyqHSMxtRejHBBL1JJ4VOvvSm1Irjuu_8BTSzPY7MRlgUokQ-1XkaFKYIbXlGanG8IJKiGvEOwEXiAkj3UpGySGNTcp5Itn0vu1dpf86HeRPNkN_VJKuWjx/s320/IMG_1104.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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as the moon was starting to set and </div>
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was slowly descending into a mist or fog over the bay.</div>
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It would have been better to have seen in at an earlier time in the morning, like the day before, as the sky would have been darker and it would have more dramatic. </div>
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That darn mist!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUL0AI5NKjRDH5w505bvtryU6Z7UkZ29LIOBwcy0ntrFPmKo2L8rPKq4sCQCq11qwpwwrgFEer_snBjB5qeRynSmyt97paGQ7pUiMZ6MDEd3OmYcCkFNxjdsKpVoJBF8Grxn_u68yj-X7/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-07-20+at+9.10.46+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1344" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUL0AI5NKjRDH5w505bvtryU6Z7UkZ29LIOBwcy0ntrFPmKo2L8rPKq4sCQCq11qwpwwrgFEer_snBjB5qeRynSmyt97paGQ7pUiMZ6MDEd3OmYcCkFNxjdsKpVoJBF8Grxn_u68yj-X7/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-07-20+at+9.10.46+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, as we were watching the moonset at 6:00 a.m., the sun had already started breaking at 5:42 a.m. behind us, well before the moonset. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpRPi7G-bp_fSHaLfxKyNtN6tCAkcXfEfLxQD21FgIyCX9gf40HpmQnSouIQ1cL2JcWmCkFljcKGuDy6hq3yyFCv5y8p4hk3qrp2HPguIuRMjpH-199OA1KvWGkQqmKOIXGyksdvuPnMC/s1600/IMG_1113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1451" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpRPi7G-bp_fSHaLfxKyNtN6tCAkcXfEfLxQD21FgIyCX9gf40HpmQnSouIQ1cL2JcWmCkFljcKGuDy6hq3yyFCv5y8p4hk3qrp2HPguIuRMjpH-199OA1KvWGkQqmKOIXGyksdvuPnMC/s320/IMG_1113.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
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It was a memorable start for a great day. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMLBMFxhDEXQ3aNiyHd6csLKdyTrMybtEVomsOYyy0sW4hBJet2EXXn15Mt9zMPraCOryTPjcRswypFbssv9r5WlFDv0-vl1CsedthipJjgeWUrxeq2b0HKNE8-knGyZJrZ8UD9XmEpYQ/s1600/IMG_1114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMLBMFxhDEXQ3aNiyHd6csLKdyTrMybtEVomsOYyy0sW4hBJet2EXXn15Mt9zMPraCOryTPjcRswypFbssv9r5WlFDv0-vl1CsedthipJjgeWUrxeq2b0HKNE8-knGyZJrZ8UD9XmEpYQ/s320/IMG_1114.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">We then made our way to </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The Blue Pig at Congress Hall for some delicious waffles with strawberries and cream. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">We were the first ones there.</span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-62448600618701735482016-08-29T12:53:00.000-07:002016-08-29T12:53:10.867-07:00Cape May's Best Cupcakes<div style="text-align: center;">
For a recent celebration, we bought some amazingly, delicious, moist cupcakes </div>
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from <i>Pretty Tasty Cupcake Boutique,</i></div>
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located in the Carpenter's Square Mall.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zAV0hgRkMcS0h8jMx4PRhwIv9JefufB9jab3Pv9P6hwIoYIMdm5GcsfBlq2bidLwvdeN-Pd-OTVOsq0mjL6m9ZvQ_R6BQZc49JRW2Dt_I-YZ9mTPItP6hiYkdqrcQwZsS3NfOfGLXWVF/s1600/IMG_9028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zAV0hgRkMcS0h8jMx4PRhwIv9JefufB9jab3Pv9P6hwIoYIMdm5GcsfBlq2bidLwvdeN-Pd-OTVOsq0mjL6m9ZvQ_R6BQZc49JRW2Dt_I-YZ9mTPItP6hiYkdqrcQwZsS3NfOfGLXWVF/s320/IMG_9028.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I highly recommend them. Go early, as they sell out fast.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSsWSHIJty29AhV_ebkh3z2oMpsGUHO2FsYxDdP9jHU6Ry0QZ4rQjGOr7cE1aDtOXEdcN9iNPA595KwbwwkRHztQ8AxHCm_HSbxZA_LxamHLMqsSCPwOdyQA0V61ieuFTG9X-q0PXygwe/s1600/IMG_9029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSsWSHIJty29AhV_ebkh3z2oMpsGUHO2FsYxDdP9jHU6Ry0QZ4rQjGOr7cE1aDtOXEdcN9iNPA595KwbwwkRHztQ8AxHCm_HSbxZA_LxamHLMqsSCPwOdyQA0V61ieuFTG9X-q0PXygwe/s320/IMG_9029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Be careful, as they are rather addictive. </div>
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Here is a link to their Facebook page: <a href="https://m.facebook.com/PrettyTastyCupcakeBoutique/">https://m.facebook.com/PrettyTastyCupcakeBoutique/</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-78948535216997393382016-08-17T12:10:00.002-07:002016-08-18T05:24:02.294-07:00Rose Mallow Season and Their Special Bee!In Pavilion Park in Cape May Point, there is a simple dirt basketball court.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IhPk_02ngF6LW__eMhEZw5mC64aGmrKs1u-92Ux2W8TNVdyC-6oZa9e5mLcLQLTlhhcrJBk84osfy-eiBhNka740IYP8vRhX4pCHdNcHuOqEgTfvFLG6L5sBTwY-6xVJYxAeCEQyBkKN/s1600/IMG_8357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IhPk_02ngF6LW__eMhEZw5mC64aGmrKs1u-92Ux2W8TNVdyC-6oZa9e5mLcLQLTlhhcrJBk84osfy-eiBhNka740IYP8vRhX4pCHdNcHuOqEgTfvFLG6L5sBTwY-6xVJYxAeCEQyBkKN/s320/IMG_8357.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The ground is compacted, but loose and sandy enough for ground nesting bees to dig down and make homes for themselves.<br />
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And that is exactly what has happened! </div>
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There are 50 - 100 holes, with bees flying, circling, </div>
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digging and diving down.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Aj5n4QQP98xiejP-DyLWwbh4UZojrEPLOy_iBdR49hFg5BhvG99vmVsuePJw0lwNJbGtJTIxsHLgqdIRRUqApGQAOyq7YuUQb0MTcTDdHsQVsoyjdbOFScqWs72LoUKYWvJE0vflgMHv/s1600/IMG_8274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Aj5n4QQP98xiejP-DyLWwbh4UZojrEPLOy_iBdR49hFg5BhvG99vmVsuePJw0lwNJbGtJTIxsHLgqdIRRUqApGQAOyq7YuUQb0MTcTDdHsQVsoyjdbOFScqWs72LoUKYWvJE0vflgMHv/s320/IMG_8274.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgMWsGQ73jJX7kn_IWSVZX6kndmxGy2EKWfS9qY9CK4PqMsgUFqH4CsIOexta41_Qy_3Hcg-vhUJUeh8zeK0n6NuWZYH2ucLR8hjv6_oTJI2HySYzAoAjRTFVAT2cM2IrMAGw8NYZua5p/s1600/IMG_8307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgMWsGQ73jJX7kn_IWSVZX6kndmxGy2EKWfS9qY9CK4PqMsgUFqH4CsIOexta41_Qy_3Hcg-vhUJUeh8zeK0n6NuWZYH2ucLR8hjv6_oTJI2HySYzAoAjRTFVAT2cM2IrMAGw8NYZua5p/s320/IMG_8307.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0OL2brMIoCVme2jF-riVp1Uvvo0KVxJFIUyQn3qndlIFN5bQVMIpmfQnTQ9-egA3Ws4KjO8l5A_HtctilwNjLZf0xzJuLFo6OBtLZqvdObkwI2b9x0YLmshDIfgWhzpdG9qZiwyM1CbU/s1600/IMG_8446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0OL2brMIoCVme2jF-riVp1Uvvo0KVxJFIUyQn3qndlIFN5bQVMIpmfQnTQ9-egA3Ws4KjO8l5A_HtctilwNjLZf0xzJuLFo6OBtLZqvdObkwI2b9x0YLmshDIfgWhzpdG9qZiwyM1CbU/s320/IMG_8446.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LAxTBhKQ51Gq5P5hIXsgTN7NLIO9N13f6lRp1Yj50AS_fVZtg2R6yvB-kxoT9ZNLZN-je4wVRfVfZcKVo4PLGMVjvA-UszjjrFo2YBjyOyJ6urHPWpYIzvk_ZlTIlwT1IRPtKcQ2jMVU/s1600/IMG_8436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LAxTBhKQ51Gq5P5hIXsgTN7NLIO9N13f6lRp1Yj50AS_fVZtg2R6yvB-kxoT9ZNLZN-je4wVRfVfZcKVo4PLGMVjvA-UszjjrFo2YBjyOyJ6urHPWpYIzvk_ZlTIlwT1IRPtKcQ2jMVU/s320/IMG_8436.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkj_QuEMTMickA6p3qC31WYDDzDSggc4wUSzV_GCvngP36dcTKf3SFeDJGcUGBV4IFd5mXn13iQmNJaeZMxV8x_CpeDqGLT_HmU0Wroojk5HzBBKEv0XtaNQN6wlMvo6DKJ8k4IFXPqDS/s1600/IMG_8402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkj_QuEMTMickA6p3qC31WYDDzDSggc4wUSzV_GCvngP36dcTKf3SFeDJGcUGBV4IFd5mXn13iQmNJaeZMxV8x_CpeDqGLT_HmU0Wroojk5HzBBKEv0XtaNQN6wlMvo6DKJ8k4IFXPqDS/s320/IMG_8402.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Who are these bees? </div>
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Why are they here?</div>
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After several calls, in an attempt to preserve their nesting site, I spoke with the naturalist from Cape May Point State Park, and he informed me that they are Rose Mallow Bees or <i>Ptilothrix bombiformis</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTFaMAGaN-9HxsfnPcFH5sAmsMfKMHE4OLIbfpfEmYd2U8RHl-nE3xwN_V3RURFoDdnC-JTFgt9o7RyX2Yq0bIcgA5kOGwHQ1SAzn8qkpMiuwz_wFu8IeVN8y3eCXtduFAVrQyeEPEK6q/s1600/IMG_8412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTFaMAGaN-9HxsfnPcFH5sAmsMfKMHE4OLIbfpfEmYd2U8RHl-nE3xwN_V3RURFoDdnC-JTFgt9o7RyX2Yq0bIcgA5kOGwHQ1SAzn8qkpMiuwz_wFu8IeVN8y3eCXtduFAVrQyeEPEK6q/s320/IMG_8412.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They are solitary females, each creating their own nest, but in aggregate. The nests are not connected. Each bee provisions her own nest with pollen and nectar from just ONE type of plant, the Hibiscus, as they are specialist bees.<br />
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They are lazy bees and are cleptolectic, attempting to steal nesting sites of neighboring bees, which are typical of their Tribe <i>Emphorini</i> as mentioned in a published paper from Brazil: <a href="http://www.sea-entomologia.org/Publicaciones/PDF/BOLN45/281_288BSEA45Ptilothrix.pdf">http://www.sea-entomologia.org/Publicaciones/PDF/BOLN45/281_288BSEA45Ptilothrix.pdf</a>.<br />
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Here are 2 fighting over a hole:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CPkQp0q2kAkzX-8peqMoXIuxj2JYU_2S7azYlZnHBoFVTzI0I1izCSxd0xkywrE7OaK_XlIUpbyOAyVPsd-gvOFZbpb5xFeSHeCHb-PBoBMflN4u0PcPBeLteQNB5Vw2vB4ZQy9T4H4_/s1600/IMG_8354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CPkQp0q2kAkzX-8peqMoXIuxj2JYU_2S7azYlZnHBoFVTzI0I1izCSxd0xkywrE7OaK_XlIUpbyOAyVPsd-gvOFZbpb5xFeSHeCHb-PBoBMflN4u0PcPBeLteQNB5Vw2vB4ZQy9T4H4_/s320/IMG_8354.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They look like bumble bees, but they are not. They have a stout body, dense black hair, a yellow thorax and dark black abdomen with large folded wings, when not in flight. They also have prominent longer, hairier legs. Importantly, they do NOT sting!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ii5a_EJY3fYY62kGwt7RZiUO3MmevVlM6qHwZUUwLbDhO4cFUrpbb711vrHNaPOykkCzc66NPJNbO4T1A_ddJfS7ElDe9YKr2bahfHi9yfB0LTvc4fmhbMGt4HxZ76ZLKLd2Wgu2sx01/s1600/IMG_8444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ii5a_EJY3fYY62kGwt7RZiUO3MmevVlM6qHwZUUwLbDhO4cFUrpbb711vrHNaPOykkCzc66NPJNbO4T1A_ddJfS7ElDe9YKr2bahfHi9yfB0LTvc4fmhbMGt4HxZ76ZLKLd2Wgu2sx01/s320/IMG_8444.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTpqEcHps5U9cODIc24COjULpnFlthhlu-kH-yizS0OINy2qTkW_DqwbC31k6oPk_3eltT7zdJFrpSM77x9e9BRGhlhHD3RBcjmPpU4Rxi1z1Tghto0hYcKK-cWQ-so1Yo1EIgP0JRhCh/s1600/IMG_8350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTpqEcHps5U9cODIc24COjULpnFlthhlu-kH-yizS0OINy2qTkW_DqwbC31k6oPk_3eltT7zdJFrpSM77x9e9BRGhlhHD3RBcjmPpU4Rxi1z1Tghto0hYcKK-cWQ-so1Yo1EIgP0JRhCh/s320/IMG_8350.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They have a short life cycle, lasting about as long as the rose mallows' blooming period, from July to September. Swamp Rose Mallow (<i>Hibiscus moscheutos</i>), a native species to NJ, is a wetlands plant, with a 5 petaled colorful flower head and a spectacular sight to see in bloom.<br />
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I'm curious if this bee, also will feed from other Hibiscus varieties, such as Rose of Sharon (<i>Hibiscus syriacus</i>) and other Mallow varieties as listed here: (<a href="http://capemaywildlife.com/_templates/group_mallows.html">http://capemaywildlife.com/_templates/group_mallows.html</a>) in the Cape May Point area or beyond?<br />
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For more information about these curious bees, visit the site: <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/rosemallowbee.shtml">http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/rosemallowbee.shtml</a><br />
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I hope the site will be protected, during their active season. I spoke with the Commissioner of Public Works at the Point, Robert Mullock, who knew about them, and who was happy to know I wasn't calling to ask to have them exterminated. I hope the area will be roped off and some signage will be installed to inform curious onlookers of this interesting bee.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-80725166370248938102016-02-18T12:41:00.002-08:002017-05-31T16:33:20.890-07:00Windy Winter Visit to Forsythe NWRThe weekend of January 30th was a productive and exciting birding weekend. Traveling up to Forsyth, using the new and improved exit 41 from the Garden State Parkway, with windy, cold, but sunny weather, we saw many birds, including:<br />
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Black Duck - 100+</div>
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Snow Goose - 400+</div>
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Northern Pintail - 50+</div>
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Black Scoter - 30+</div>
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Bufflehead - 2 pairs</div>
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Hooded Meganser - 4 pairs</div>
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American Wigeon - 10 Pairs</div>
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To top off the slow exit from the park, perched on an osprey nest, was a proud juvenile Bald Eagle.<br />
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The photos are poor overall, due to the windy conditions, but I wanted to document some firsts for me including the Buffleheads, Hooded Megansers, the Immature Bald Eagle and the American Wigeons.<br />
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The following day, with temperatures in the mid 50s and sunny, driving past Lake Lilly in Cape May Point, we saw flying overhead a stunning mature Bald Eagle. Over at the state park, there were numerous Yellow-rumped Warblers,<br />
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Gadwals, Black ducks, Mallards, and a Mockingbird.<br />
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Off the dune trail, a pair of Northern shovelers were oblivious to our presence as they did a mating dance/ swim.<br />
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The pair circled and circled, barely coming up for air, creating large round ripples, as seen above.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-81386388918354069262016-02-07T12:46:00.000-08:002016-02-10T19:18:49.606-08:00Winter Sunset<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This sunset, from a week ago, started out very subdued, </div>
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we waited for more . . .</div>
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then it grew in intensity, casting light onto the surrounding clouds,</div>
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then reached it's peak </div>
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and slowly dissipated </div>
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and the light disappeared into night.</div>
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Truly awe-inspiring! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-53820016192786785442016-01-12T11:47:00.000-08:002016-01-24T11:50:49.738-08:00Spectacular Day's End!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>All this in less than an hour - </b></div>
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<b>Enjoy!</b></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-58683919785341458292016-01-08T11:43:00.000-08:002016-01-09T09:31:17.938-08:00Captured moments through the seasons<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">2 bluebirds from a flock of 50+</span></div>
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cape may view on a chilly early spring day</div>
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mute swans in formation</div>
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green horseshoe crab eggs </div>
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spring flowers</div>
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dog walker</div>
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black bellied plover antics</div>
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dramatic sunset</div>
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summer end's noisy cicada </div>
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monarch population rebounds</div>
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autumn seeds</div>
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sunset silhoutte</div>
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evening sky canvas</div>
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glorious camellia flowers</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-11145309204937944512015-04-11T19:23:00.000-07:002015-04-11T19:51:44.255-07:00The Point's Owlet!Great Horned Owls start nesting in January and February and lay 2 to 4 dull white eggs in a borrowed nest of another raptor, such as a hawk or crow. Incubation lasts between 26 and 35 days, done by the mother, while the male feeds her and then the owlets for a couple of weeks after they have hatched. After the babies have their second set of down feathers, the male and female hunt and feed the babies together for up to 3 months, while the owlets grow very quickly and eat ravenously. They stay together as a loosely knit family through the summer, until autumn, when the juveniles disperse. The mated pair will remain in the same territory up to 8 years.<br />
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Here at the Point, a Great Horned Owl with nest and babies was reported over near Lake Lilly. On the way, I spotted 2 birders and they led me to the special vantage point to get a glimpse. I came back in late afternoon, when the lighting was better, to take these photos:<br />
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I was surprised by the small nest size. Apparently, there had been 2 owlets, but now only one remains. The mother and baby can barely fit in the nest as it is. The owlet is covered in white fluffy down with a dark predominant beak. The mother is stoic and keeps a close watch on us.<br />
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Owlets start roaming onto nearby branches after 6-7 weeks even though they still are covered in down. They are called "branchers" at this stage, but can't really fly until 9+ weeks. </div>
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Here, the owlet tries out his quickly growing wings, teetering precariously on the edge of the nest, but perhaps, almost ready to move beyond the nest. </div>
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I stopped by again this morning for a quick peek and the owlet was tucked under the mother, shielded from the chilly wind, with only its tail visible. I guess, it decided to stay close for another day.</div>
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Sources: </div>
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<a href="http://birdnote.org/bird/great-horned-owl-bubo-virginianus">http://birdnote.org/bird/great-horned-owl-bubo-virginianus</a>; </div>
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<a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/great_horned_owl/lifehistory">http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/great_hornedowl/lifehistory</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.internationalowlcenter.org/ourowls/rustyandiris/vocalizations/98-background-info/144-great-horned-owl-facts">http://www.internationalowlcenter.org</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=Bubo&species=virginianus" style="text-align: center;">http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=Bubo&species=virginianus</a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-65760025740074419972015-01-05T18:01:00.002-08:002015-01-05T18:01:37.836-08:00Birding Lists and Journals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Being a frequent visitor to Cape May, it is high time to start keeping track of all the birds I see. Where to start? <span style="text-align: left;">I bought a ABA Area Trip List at the Cape May Bird Observatory to first record all the birds I have ever seen. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.buteobooks.com/graphics/00000001/ABATRIP.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buteobooks.com/graphics/00000001/ABATRIP.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I would like a more permanent journal, but this is a start. My list includes a rather meager number of only 130 species.</span></div>
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The 7.7 downloadable version for September 2014 of the ABA Birding Checklist can be found at this site and includes 987 species: <a href="http://listing.aba.org/aba-checklist/" style="text-align: center;">http://listing.aba.org/aba-checklist/</a><span style="text-align: center;">. </span></div>
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My goal is to increase my knowledge by participating in more birding classes in PA and NJ. I bought a <i>Rite in the Rain</i> All Weather Birder's Journal with a corresponding pen to use during these walks and classes and to keep track of what I see. </div>
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I like what these blogs suggest for keeping a birding journal, such as:</div>
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a. Include the species name, habitat, weather, date, appearance, behavior, vocalizations, and flock size. </div>
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b. Include a quick sketch. </div>
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c. Note the color and size of the beak, the eyes, legs and feet.</div>
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<a href="http://birding.about.com/od/birdingbasics/a/How-To-Keep-A-Birding-Journal.htm">http://birding.about.com/od/birdingbasics/a/How-To-Keep-A-Birding-Journal.htm</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/solve/howto/journal.php">http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/solve/howto/journal.php</a></div>
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91E6vMGJGPL._SY355_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91E6vMGJGPL._SY355_.jpg" height="320" width="258" /></a></div>
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The folks at <i>10,000 Birds</i> Blog have an excellent post about why to keep birding lists: <a href="http://10000birds.com/birdlist">http://10000birds.com/birdlist</a>. I like how they have a digital running list for their life list and yearly list.</div>
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My goal is to at least double my number by the end of the year and keep a yearly list. I want to focus on shorebirds, gulls, warblers and sparrows. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-16575247105758599112014-12-07T16:57:00.000-08:002014-12-07T16:57:55.554-08:00Earliest Sunset NOT on Winter Solstice!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I often like to catch the sunset and when I checked on my blog site for the sunset time, which is located on the right column below, I noticed that the sunset time </div>
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was the same for several days in a row:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ka-RmOBEqkCdSR_xQZY6yD11TXiunDHggL5Ks-crnQChCrMIbGUh7HaY5TeLtp-iKoggTUAHBhEIqNlRnvgl4laa7K4ya2eC4HeTeIeKktoh4ABjzS2ihrEki5LoK62Y_mAu8dETa84L/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ka-RmOBEqkCdSR_xQZY6yD11TXiunDHggL5Ks-crnQChCrMIbGUh7HaY5TeLtp-iKoggTUAHBhEIqNlRnvgl4laa7K4ya2eC4HeTeIeKktoh4ABjzS2ihrEki5LoK62Y_mAu8dETa84L/s1600/photo.PNG" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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How could that be? What about solstice? Wouldn't the earliest sunsets be on solstice?</div>
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After some research, NO it is not for this part of the hemisphere! The earliest sunsets are happening NOW and not just for one day but for days, as displayed above. </div>
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Winter solstice is on December 21st this year and the reason the earliest sunsets and solstice don't coincide is due to the discrepancy between the clock and sun. It has to do with the solar noon measurement, which is a half minute longer in December. </div>
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See this site for further information: </div>
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<a href="http://earthsky.org/tonight/earliest-sunset-today-but-not-shortest-day">http://earthsky.org/tonight/earliest-sunset-today-but-not-shortest-day</a></div>
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Make note though, that the shortest day still is on solstice since sunrise is later!</div>
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The upside is we can start enjoying later sunsets sooner, starting December 16th!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-51404058773498822772014-07-09T16:18:00.003-07:002014-07-09T16:20:29.096-07:00Progression of a SunsetIt was sunset time and time to celebrate the end of a great day!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9nRlfMO4cNk9OgvuufI_VAnccOyl19ENoVEqMfSpfFP8lHCbNw_ALoIMLOTFa7wrGDvYDoXCCq0sV-hIGVguE6GlvqmIlI7zVSGz73WDX2Leskb12WjueUA4Pw4ngfhAzCpUFcFe8BTm/s1600/IMG_9859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9nRlfMO4cNk9OgvuufI_VAnccOyl19ENoVEqMfSpfFP8lHCbNw_ALoIMLOTFa7wrGDvYDoXCCq0sV-hIGVguE6GlvqmIlI7zVSGz73WDX2Leskb12WjueUA4Pw4ngfhAzCpUFcFe8BTm/s1600/IMG_9859.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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After watching for a short while, it looked like it was finishing up quickly.<br />
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Later, the sky was glowing and begged for another visit. </div>
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Racing over the dune and down to the beach, this was the view to behold. . .</div>
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It slowly melted away.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-68341869080097835392014-06-03T11:12:00.000-07:002014-06-03T11:12:12.684-07:00A Windy Adventure in Cumberland CountyClay and Pat Sutton's "Birds and Birding at Cape May" is an excellent go to book for scouting out a fun outing. It provides detailed information about where and what can been seen and is organized by the seasons in Part 1.<br />
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With time for an adventure in late April, I turn to the Spring section, and see that Horseshoe season is just starting, with Red Knots and other shorebirds on the way and that the Delaware Bayshore is a great place for sightings. I page to the Site Guide section, and determine that Cumberland County, including Thompson's Beach, East Point and Heislerville WMA, is where we should head.<br />
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On the way, we spot an osprey nest, with one eating a fish on a limb, while the mate tends to the nest.<br />
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At East Point, with cold weather and a stiff wind, void of both birds and people, </div>
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a quaint old Lighthouse, built in 1849, is there to greet us. </div>
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Out from the grasses, flies a Red-winged Blackbird with his bright red epaulet showing, </div>
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down along the rocky shore, are a few Willets nibbling </div>
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and winging in and out of the wind.</div>
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Back off the shore in the grasses, </div>
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three Glossy Ibises swirl down and find a quiet place to rest. </div>
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Our trip continues on to Heislerville. where we discover with delight an island </div>
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covered with nesting Snowy Egrets and Cormorants.</div>
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The almost 7000 acre Heislerville WMA has a series of impoundments that you can drive on - it is a little crazy as they are only wide enough for one car.</div>
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Unfortunately, the winds scare off most of the birds and there are only a few Willets lingering. According to Sutton, this is a great place for a variety of shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors. If you are lucky, you might see 100s or even 1000s in a day.<br />
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On the way out, we park in the wooded area, where the paths have recently been reshelled, making it too noisy to see any birds, although the habitat is rich and lush.<br />
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These are great birding sites that we look forward to revisiting.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-61043805104552810972014-05-30T19:39:00.000-07:002014-05-31T13:38:48.558-07:00'A Little Robin's Nest'<div style="text-align: center;">
Our neighbor, John Safrit, </div>
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was highlighted at <i>Meet the Artists Reception</i> at <i>Splash</i> in Cape May on April 26th, </div>
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(<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SplashCapeMay/photos/pb.180498842032131.-2207520000.1401568285./614102638671747/?type=3&theater">Invitation</a>)<br />
highlighting his stunning nest collection:</div>
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The reception was a lot of fun and there were many beautiful paintings and art to be seen.</div>
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I was very fortunate to receive his painting, <i>Little Robin's Nest</i> as a wonderful gift for Mother's Day!</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SplashCapeMay/photos/pb.180498842032131.-2207520000.1401568025./614103245338353/?type=3&theater">Link to photo of the painting</a></div>
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I enjoy seeing it each time I come in the door.</div>
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The colors, the composition and depth are amazing. </div>
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Check out his facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ArtStudioofJohnSafrit">https://www.facebook.com/ArtStudioofJohnSafrit</a></div>
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<i>Splash</i> is a beautiful store, check them out on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SplashCapeMay">https://www.facebook.com/SplashCapeMay</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-17573262522742828702014-04-21T07:05:00.004-07:002014-04-21T07:05:54.438-07:00Hunting for Eggs at Easter!<div style="text-align: center;">
Cape May Point hosts yearly a very festive </div>
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Easter Egg Hunt </div>
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with their very own stunning blue fire trucks,</div>
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including rides,<br />
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loads of colorful eggs and excited children and families,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKnTNXBKD5AapCrvkn6peMnZ5kW7wCneUQfhVPYatFAWuXIAiObTW05GgJ_ROuNY1uKqCxLH4kAMuR3LDNHusGecl_QOPFkCfZf_Bee7i8B6Dz2NYaNHm4rFBHPELP-iidYJGplmKhyphenhyphenZC/s1600/IMG_4647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKnTNXBKD5AapCrvkn6peMnZ5kW7wCneUQfhVPYatFAWuXIAiObTW05GgJ_ROuNY1uKqCxLH4kAMuR3LDNHusGecl_QOPFkCfZf_Bee7i8B6Dz2NYaNHm4rFBHPELP-iidYJGplmKhyphenhyphenZC/s1600/IMG_4647.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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shy pups and even dressed up ones,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtTXX05N9gOIqX5DTQ6nqG-ju7iv8Eiuw9mmYFSj0LC88Yg-DbZRZXPM4wVKe07lUQsXxSDd7F_SFgNyaFIbDj7Wqk4e-xhYIQ8DvN9ZIlwGlW0eOemxOgLNfoeBWL-JrpdX-UqSRP64Z/s1600/IMG_4645_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtTXX05N9gOIqX5DTQ6nqG-ju7iv8Eiuw9mmYFSj0LC88Yg-DbZRZXPM4wVKe07lUQsXxSDd7F_SFgNyaFIbDj7Wqk4e-xhYIQ8DvN9ZIlwGlW0eOemxOgLNfoeBWL-JrpdX-UqSRP64Z/s1600/IMG_4645_2.JPG" height="400" width="297" /></a></div>
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(here is our little Lilli from last year)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQ_uorX2qfuKonMftGmoUeEizMJvy5MXL9Xkg_HtKB6VIa115Z4fCNcrSWGAxGGauMvb1g5dTi7iZyWwaN0Y3XD4R0mt-vECgzHf4Kjy1xVq_6GcRwge6306voPvYtb25jPp-XMjKjgBp/s1600/IMG_8834_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQ_uorX2qfuKonMftGmoUeEizMJvy5MXL9Xkg_HtKB6VIa115Z4fCNcrSWGAxGGauMvb1g5dTi7iZyWwaN0Y3XD4R0mt-vECgzHf4Kjy1xVq_6GcRwge6306voPvYtb25jPp-XMjKjgBp/s1600/IMG_8834_2.JPG" height="184" width="320" /></a></div>
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and amazing prizes.<br />
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(Note: These photos are from this and last year's hunt!)<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-20429243732926758232014-03-10T14:43:00.001-07:002014-03-11T06:10:20.588-07:00Monarchs in Crisis! Act NOW!This past Fall 2013, I was stunned to see the drop off of monarchs passing through Cape May on their migration to Mexico. The year before, they were abundant, as you can see in these photos from September 15 in my back yard on Ocean Avenue, as they fed on nectar from English ivy:<br />
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and on cool, foggy September 29, down by the beach on Ocean Avenue, as they prepared to cross the Delaware Bay:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCvqsSlTFDxYIEsFIaBWbpubX02_AT0JnXnFbxZy0oApPOszdiH4mMYmHnZg-zugovwNr5W7D4LmQ8T4tdUP8MJrDi31-H0jQwg-jOrqQEuCr0TIVOL9NiL5Ow0TSmnuoCTPJ-NrvMK8F/s1600/IMG_2196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCvqsSlTFDxYIEsFIaBWbpubX02_AT0JnXnFbxZy0oApPOszdiH4mMYmHnZg-zugovwNr5W7D4LmQ8T4tdUP8MJrDi31-H0jQwg-jOrqQEuCr0TIVOL9NiL5Ow0TSmnuoCTPJ-NrvMK8F/s1600/IMG_2196.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span id="goog_2056196765"></span><span id="goog_2056196766"></span>For more photos and story, please refer to blog entry from March 24, 2013, <i>Fall Reflections: Monarch Migration Snapshot.</i><br />
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I don't even have a photo from this past fall of 2013, as I kept waiting and they never really came. Just one here and then a couple there would flutter by.<br />
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Their population has been in a steady decline for the last 2 decades and has reached a CRISIS situation with more than <b>90% of the population in decline.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<a href="http://monarchwatch.org/blog/uploads/2013/03/monarch-population-figure-monarchwatch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://monarchwatch.org/blog/uploads/2013/03/monarch-population-figure-monarchwatch.png" height="251" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
For a detailed report, please see Monarch Watch's Population Status report from January 29, 2014: <a href="http://monarchwatch.org/blog/2014/01/monarch-population-status-20/">http://monarchwatch.org/blog/2014/01/monarch-population-status-20/</a><br />
<br />
and for further info, see: <a href="http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/population_mexico_graph.html">http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/population_mexico_graph.html</a>.<br />
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<u>This drastic decline in population can be attributed to the following factors:</u><br />
<br />
1. Habitat loss along their migratory routes as well as in Mexico<br />
2. Use of herbicides on large scale farms, killing their main larval host plant, native Milkweed<br />
3. Use of pesticides<br />
4. Severe drought in the west<br />
5. Climate change<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>YOU CAN HELP!</b></div>
<br />
a. <b>Plant milkweed</b>. Seeds are available <b>FREE</b> at this site: <a href="https://www.livemonarch.com/free-milkweed-seeds.htm">https://www.livemonarch.com/free-milkweed-seeds.htm</a> or go to your local nursery. The variety that grows best in the NE is <i>Asclepias syriaca</i> and looks like this:<br />
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<a href="http://spuds.agron.ksu.edu/Asclepiassyriaca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://spuds.agron.ksu.edu/Asclepiassyriaca.jpg" height="320" width="233" /></a></div>
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b. Plant native plants and flowers for them to feed upon. See this site for suggestions: <a href="http://www.monarchwatch.org/garden/nectar.htm">http://www.monarchwatch.org/garden/nectar.htm</a><br />
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c. Avoid pesticides and herbicides, using them only when necessary and be sure to follow the labeled instructions.<br />
<br />
d. Buy sustainable, organic, and GMO free products<br />
<br />
e. Spread the word<br />
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To inform yourself further, see Monarch Watch: <a href="http://www.monarchwatch.org/">http://www.monarchwatch.org/</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-52921617866351463302014-02-19T07:34:00.002-08:002014-02-19T07:34:11.561-08:00Birding Pals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://imagespeeder.com/bp3/BirdingpalLogo_002-250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://imagespeeder.com/bp3/BirdingpalLogo_002-250.jpg" /></a></div>
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Have you ever wished while traveling or perhaps, even in your own area, the </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
knowledge of a local birder? </div>
<br />
Well, I found a site that provides exactly that and it is called "<i><b>BirdingPal</b></i>", which was started 14 years ago by a Canadian. For Cape May, for example, there are over 30 birders willing to go birding with you!<br />
<br />
If you are a birder and willing to be a guide you can sign up, or if you need lodging, they provide choices. This looks like an excellent resource and I look forward to trying it sometime soon.<br />
<br />
Click here to go to the site: <a href="http://www.birdingpal.org/">http://www.birdingpal.org/</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-84048415925543304742014-01-27T20:26:00.001-08:002014-05-30T19:50:30.859-07:00Coming in for a Landing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://topwalls.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/birds-in-flight-flock-of-birds-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://topwalls.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/birds-in-flight-flock-of-birds-.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.public-domain-image.com/fauna-animals-public-domain-images-pictures/birds-public-domain-images-pictures/birds-in-flight-flock-of-birds-.jpg.html%22%20title=%22Birds%20in%20flight%20flock%20of%20birds%20%22%3EBirds%20in%20flight%20flock%20of%20birds%20%3C/a%3E%20by%20Gentry%20George,%20U.S.%20Fish%20and%20Wildlife%20Service">Link for photo</a></div>
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I recently read an article in <i>The Economist</i> in the Science and Technology section that confirms my own personal observations. Flocks of birds land together in the same direction without any collisions and apparently they are aligned with the Earth's magnetic field as demonstrated in the pictures I found online above. Their preference is to land on the north-south axis regardless of weather, time of day or year or environment.<br />
<br />
For the latest research on this subject, read on: <a href="http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21583591-how-flocking-birds-avoid-colliding-when-they-touch-down-birds-feather-land">http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21583591-how-flocking-birds-avoid-colliding-when-they-touch-down-birds-feather-land</a><br />
<br />
For the original article in <i>Frontiers in Zoology</i> by H. Burda<br />
see : <a href="http://www.frontiersinzoology.com/content/10/1/38">http://www.frontiersinzoology.com/content/10/1/38</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-79522862739404093772014-01-25T17:18:00.000-08:002014-05-30T19:51:33.680-07:00The Quest for the Snowy Owl Continues<div style="text-align: center;">
After checking various blogs and calling several NWRs, we drove 50 minutes from Cape May to Forsythe NWR last weekend, January 18th, as a Snowy Owl had been sited that morning on the 8-mile Wildlife Drive, right at the first curve. There had been even one the day before spotted on the roof of the headquarters there. This is where most of the owls have been spotted and<br />
I hoped we would be lucky.</div>
<br />
It was our first visit to Forsythe and it was amazing with an expansive sky view, rich feeding and nesting areas and about 1,500 acres of fresh/brackish water marsh habitat created by a dike system that can be manipulated depending on the seasons, not to mention 5,000 acres of woodlands and 46,000 acres total.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeY5EU9WoZrOxzJwX52UF4TN89-rY_VW5CSu6J3HXguj_Yqr4H-FSw_YuOYij6srzOcl2nEBBGBh8W54FNu_c-U4OsU88fFJ6dyvbRrZ2xdQ-fAcsQalZ97qdzZgNHQSA4j_2QX49q3X1/s1600/IMG_8192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeY5EU9WoZrOxzJwX52UF4TN89-rY_VW5CSu6J3HXguj_Yqr4H-FSw_YuOYij6srzOcl2nEBBGBh8W54FNu_c-U4OsU88fFJ6dyvbRrZ2xdQ-fAcsQalZ97qdzZgNHQSA4j_2QX49q3X1/s1600/IMG_8192.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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I shot anything that was white, just in case . .</div>
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After we drove the first 5 miles or so, my heart started to sink, but then our attention was drawn to the 1000's of snow geese taking off and their undulating flight patterns . . .</div>
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for them to then just settle down again a few meters away . . .</div>
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This Peregrine Falcon got the most of attention at the time we drove through, with many stopping to take shots. A Snowy Owl had been spotted in the same location just a day before.</div>
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And at the end of the drive was a pair of Common Pintail . . </div>
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The closest I'm going to get to a Snowy Owl this year is this lovely print I found at the West End Garage in West Cape May. </div>
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Perhaps, I will have better luck next year. According to Clay and Pat Sutton's <i>Birds and Birding at Cape May,</i> Snowy Owls can be seen in the area annually. (page 150-151)</div>
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During the quest, I learned more about how to access more current information through Twitter and sites listed on the right column of my blog under <b>Useful Birding Links</b>, which I will continue to add to. <i>Project SNOWstorm</i> is especially worth a peak, as transmitters were attached to several owls to track their movements and the findings are exciting.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-60433863827338136702014-01-06T16:47:00.000-08:002014-01-06T16:47:00.071-08:00Quest for the Snowy Owl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbcX/science-stories/folder.2006-02-01.6808945267/2006-images/snowy-owl.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbcX/science-stories/folder.2006-02-01.6808945267/2006-images/snowy-owl.jpeg" height="258" width="400" /></a></div>
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(pic from birdsource.org)</div>
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Starting in mid November, numerous Snowy Owls have been spotted through out the United States, beyond their usual habitat in the Arctic, including as far south now as Jacksonville, Florida. This is not that unusual an occurrence and can be caused by increased numbers or lack of food.<br />
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What is unusual, though, is the numbers of owls reported with over 3400 spotted in the US thus far, with the spike beginning November 15 from 0 to over 2400 and then beyond. Pete Dunne stated that over 20 had been seen in NJ during this irruption up to the end of December.<br />
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Please see the ebird site for the range map through the end of<br />
December of 2013:<br />
<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/map/snoowl1?bmo=1&emo=12&byr=2013&eyr=2014&gp=true">http://ebird.org/ebird/map/snoowl1?bmo=1&emo=12&byr=2013&eyr=2014&gp=true</a><br />
<br />
and explore the data yourself:<br />
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<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&speciesCodes=snoowl1&getLocations=northAmerica&reportType=species&monthRadio=on&bMonth=01&eMonth=12&bYear=2013&eYear=2014&continue.x=38&continue.y=4&continue=Continue">http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&speciesCodes=snoowl1&getLocations=northAmerica&reportType=species&monthRadio=on&bMonth=01&eMonth=12&bYear=2013&eYear=2014&continue.x=38&continue.y=4&continue=Continue</a><br />
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This is all very exciting and we had hoped to see one for ourselves last weekend. An owl had been spotted at the Cape May Point State Park on the dune, but was gone when we arrived.<br />
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The next day, we visited the 2 mile beach at the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge,<br />
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where another owl had been spending some time, but again with no luck, but the NWR was new for us and an excellent place to explore more.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0nOOtYOYjvWdhTcW7YeUY3iITM4p1aYEiXzjbw2QGEjvfnYqUdtHeOiR86_2HBVY5A4ZtU6hICk-mVO8bB3-weBHYzB5PelM8ZO_0jpZLXf-m5X2Tz7q92QWT6mWcbJ-CoArJLmV8q33/s1600/IMG_8079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0nOOtYOYjvWdhTcW7YeUY3iITM4p1aYEiXzjbw2QGEjvfnYqUdtHeOiR86_2HBVY5A4ZtU6hICk-mVO8bB3-weBHYzB5PelM8ZO_0jpZLXf-m5X2Tz7q92QWT6mWcbJ-CoArJLmV8q33/s1600/IMG_8079.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-24216540702619570612014-01-05T17:34:00.000-08:002014-01-05T17:49:44.564-08:00Excellent Nature Photography Site<div style="text-align: center;">
I recently took some wonderful photography classes with </div>
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photographer Valerie A. Hoffman </div>
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(she is on facebook) and she sent me a link to an excellent ebook offered by this</div>
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nature photography site which I have found very helpful. </div>
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I enjoy shooting birds, and this site offers </div>
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great advice: <a href="http://www.naturephotographysimplified.com/">http://www.naturephotographysimplified.com/</a> </div>
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and amazing images, such as this one: </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3irMe5YJm6Y/UrXUrYiIAaI/AAAAAAAACgk/pKTAbBazt9Q/w1024-h683/GreatEgretLanding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3irMe5YJm6Y/UrXUrYiIAaI/AAAAAAAACgk/pKTAbBazt9Q/w1024-h683/GreatEgretLanding.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are some other helpful sites:</div>
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<a href="http://www.naturephotographers.net/birdphotography.html">http://www.naturephotographers.net/birdphotography.html</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.digitalbirdphotography.com/contents.html">http://www.digitalbirdphotography.com/contents.html</a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-86579702210346982212013-11-23T20:30:00.002-08:002013-11-24T17:37:51.057-08:00A Brewing Kettle!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was down at the beach on November 4th in the morning, sunny with </div>
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strong winds out of the Northeast. </div>
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I saw the kettle brewing. </div>
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It was spectacular with over 50 birds, mostly Turkey Vultures, circling in a thermal </div>
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over the dunes of the Point. </div>
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Perhaps, they were gathering in preparation for migration.</div>
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It lasted for over 20 minutes, dynamically changing in shape and size with a variety of bird species. It grabbed the attention of many raptors in the area, who joined in, including several juvenile Red-tailed hawks with their dark shoulder bars, and Northern Harriers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMJ-9iVf2Bg2kBI3OdBARVjjkvvEXVid2s3RxA5GpFWhpb18Mr9J2K_FAl6Ykg5DkzqL7Un5slzcHIRjvDU8c8nXFBn5EvS5nt2v5MREO17sbWngOXoY0xL1HeysUSlCMsP5gbtecKV6t/s1600/IMG_7330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMJ-9iVf2Bg2kBI3OdBARVjjkvvEXVid2s3RxA5GpFWhpb18Mr9J2K_FAl6Ykg5DkzqL7Un5slzcHIRjvDU8c8nXFBn5EvS5nt2v5MREO17sbWngOXoY0xL1HeysUSlCMsP5gbtecKV6t/s400/IMG_7330.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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At the end of the gathering, the Turkey Vultures left, leaving only the hawks, soaring and circling right over my head on Ocean Avenue.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ds7PQi4I6W5zXLpC1pt1Zy09SUIRlvbwKBsMw8edIlCwqSm7vyq6vcAdQql02um2QKcLEBevtKxEtbMn1Hifm4DR3vZvxxm33ppZB05CO58yJyxTdeXKUauDta51La8cMeQgEcpWyfDG/s1600/IMG_7342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ds7PQi4I6W5zXLpC1pt1Zy09SUIRlvbwKBsMw8edIlCwqSm7vyq6vcAdQql02um2QKcLEBevtKxEtbMn1Hifm4DR3vZvxxm33ppZB05CO58yJyxTdeXKUauDta51La8cMeQgEcpWyfDG/s400/IMG_7342.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4041643494033194802.post-87228053052051895762013-09-27T14:36:00.000-07:002013-09-28T05:32:39.856-07:00The Bittern that wasn't!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">On the elevated nature paths on the yellow trail, left of the hawk observation deck at Cape May Point State Park, I spotted an American Bittern, so I thought, ruffled and quiet. It was located down left of the bridge in the canal that proceeds on to Lighthouse Pond East and looked a bit pensive. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhqf-gOeO2HvCeCuF1kRE79WWVvPMcuVuPr92MChkOzWervrrc4c7Jya6jkX6jdjWFsoJVQpTQOxSDx8WKViiyZ8DewZvOaEpMaBSzl56Eiu4faGIas2kLCGXTaUFw42CmGizu_TrhnFh/s1600/IMG_6864_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhqf-gOeO2HvCeCuF1kRE79WWVvPMcuVuPr92MChkOzWervrrc4c7Jya6jkX6jdjWFsoJVQpTQOxSDx8WKViiyZ8DewZvOaEpMaBSzl56Eiu4faGIas2kLCGXTaUFw42CmGizu_TrhnFh/s320/IMG_6864_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After getting some shots, I changed lenses, and aimed high to catch a juvenile Northern Harrier soaring by, with its dark head and "cinnamon-orange" body (<i>Hawks in Flight by </i>Dunne, Sibley, Sutton, p. 182). In each shot, it looks like its eyes are closed? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU6UH5qfk-XkgjHDe9tU5Pt8YFgANi6Bd2rEPTx15z4Gn87NjpNu-y8tcQVY2fMO_pTeS8_UFNYmXwM-MVpsYezCtdhf93HVIOZGYlPMlFrr-mPgKKC-LxsBO_PG6-KPSDGx7fByRc-li/s1600/IMG_6882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU6UH5qfk-XkgjHDe9tU5Pt8YFgANi6Bd2rEPTx15z4Gn87NjpNu-y8tcQVY2fMO_pTeS8_UFNYmXwM-MVpsYezCtdhf93HVIOZGYlPMlFrr-mPgKKC-LxsBO_PG6-KPSDGx7fByRc-li/s1600/IMG_6882.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuBqx5w3BVqCcV_HbOIH5JRKsg0P5xdFK2Efgc1gWkMuDZBWMU7GZHHlMlZ57Uegb0iI-_U5LvY9cpIfNlOpXZBHq-R0v5zianWtZJKx0efQ6pc9fZLkiL3Pqo0tlyXB0IQ1LA5SIx-I1/s1600/IMG_6883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuBqx5w3BVqCcV_HbOIH5JRKsg0P5xdFK2Efgc1gWkMuDZBWMU7GZHHlMlZ57Uegb0iI-_U5LvY9cpIfNlOpXZBHq-R0v5zianWtZJKx0efQ6pc9fZLkiL3Pqo0tlyXB0IQ1LA5SIx-I1/s320/IMG_6883.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgLjRca87itJfN_PrVPDbLyDdp2Afkf_ZnU_-SVICf3Gd65OQ75BxFMe6EVi1JW2eGAah33sFtcEp3PZjETMHJTJej9vPg3yZd0Xz_gEkQ_AsjTh8V0fPvOqQsugiPiDY7B4RrMKb5cun/s1600/IMG_6884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgLjRca87itJfN_PrVPDbLyDdp2Afkf_ZnU_-SVICf3Gd65OQ75BxFMe6EVi1JW2eGAah33sFtcEp3PZjETMHJTJej9vPg3yZd0Xz_gEkQ_AsjTh8V0fPvOqQsugiPiDY7B4RrMKb5cun/s320/IMG_6884.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
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I then trained my lens back to the Bittern and so glad I did. </div>
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It had sprung to life and was hunting and then . . </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFYsU4df2cFN-KbkmfFKR_1UkeCYG7bRlYCcakMhAexbJPHhvq798M5eII8fQ_OU-XJ-l33Wmx4XmUXb0OcxU4G3zULcGsKeg7H-aT-XPg8Kzv5G2Y1acAbC5W-locr5ELmHc0_-H7Ld8/s1600/IMG_6872_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFYsU4df2cFN-KbkmfFKR_1UkeCYG7bRlYCcakMhAexbJPHhvq798M5eII8fQ_OU-XJ-l33Wmx4XmUXb0OcxU4G3zULcGsKeg7H-aT-XPg8Kzv5G2Y1acAbC5W-locr5ELmHc0_-H7Ld8/s320/IMG_6872_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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was attacking something in the water! </div>
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After dunking it many times, I could make out that it was a hapless frog.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGV2SfAobq7SsMiVbFKaeIKsDharz1JiKLZFpu4xmDdCRR9gDGfW5vtuqcTnns79HYhA13HPkseXd590xmhNPRDNGZv8fm0TpwekkHas07pogNPzcXa7BjRnJD7CtYJ9XxyIpkTJ3XXBxM/s1600/IMG_6907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGV2SfAobq7SsMiVbFKaeIKsDharz1JiKLZFpu4xmDdCRR9gDGfW5vtuqcTnns79HYhA13HPkseXd590xmhNPRDNGZv8fm0TpwekkHas07pogNPzcXa7BjRnJD7CtYJ9XxyIpkTJ3XXBxM/s320/IMG_6907.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhmAZKkPjmb8Zbgmc0eM_b52DuNFgRv_aAMZEIs8KtLM4zKpJK8FXTOkIKeDdBRs0hJPBRa_JVE6AiZCjospW0KR3XkJkuMws1VLML0OphRypadGakApeA-iKa3rZO4dbsYEFxiC23enS/s1600/IMG_6897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhmAZKkPjmb8Zbgmc0eM_b52DuNFgRv_aAMZEIs8KtLM4zKpJK8FXTOkIKeDdBRs0hJPBRa_JVE6AiZCjospW0KR3XkJkuMws1VLML0OphRypadGakApeA-iKa3rZO4dbsYEFxiC23enS/s320/IMG_6897.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWU37Wa-gE3nE64Apf__Q0Ez9FfN-SEsCC_5lU6rim-eN7iyILsoh4gTkHd7YjFnE_c8aulbd8x79qVMH_UYU2QAr5tEQE6LbrLeLfP8ojf8GyoAuVCrsHGUK1SCADz0VlzPiekE0hvDoj/s1600/IMG_6901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWU37Wa-gE3nE64Apf__Q0Ez9FfN-SEsCC_5lU6rim-eN7iyILsoh4gTkHd7YjFnE_c8aulbd8x79qVMH_UYU2QAr5tEQE6LbrLeLfP8ojf8GyoAuVCrsHGUK1SCADz0VlzPiekE0hvDoj/s320/IMG_6901.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpopZy84O0WzXnJx-_jsRt2ak0__0_G9uivWXw6DdQflXhKX-CT6kXhyQcU6G3s4wGLQng7CoC7vOYUDUn55mkOOrgJYFjj1K7Vta-a-7PL3bx_DPCglRxse64D7i5xHC1CzfOxtl4yYYx/s1600/IMG_6902_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpopZy84O0WzXnJx-_jsRt2ak0__0_G9uivWXw6DdQflXhKX-CT6kXhyQcU6G3s4wGLQng7CoC7vOYUDUn55mkOOrgJYFjj1K7Vta-a-7PL3bx_DPCglRxse64D7i5xHC1CzfOxtl4yYYx/s320/IMG_6902_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It then gulped it down and here, a leg is the last bit to be seen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Cxf8Ts8Y1hR6yZF43Mw0OmNcmzJx4CN1rzw2dRX3JOIbigqEr7ZA56yj9VfCgm9hwKCLpu5Qm062ylSMWoGXk90ehCRF70TUYjM3Y8Vtw0mV2ErdxPNwnxyccgLHTIS-feEjasvCL09q/s1600/IMG_6909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Cxf8Ts8Y1hR6yZF43Mw0OmNcmzJx4CN1rzw2dRX3JOIbigqEr7ZA56yj9VfCgm9hwKCLpu5Qm062ylSMWoGXk90ehCRF70TUYjM3Y8Vtw0mV2ErdxPNwnxyccgLHTIS-feEjasvCL09q/s320/IMG_6909.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I hurried home and downloaded these pictures. I checked my Sibley <i>Guide to Birds</i> to be certain of my ID that I felt confident about and I found that actually this was not an American Bittern at all!! </div>
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<a href="http://www.swartzentrover.com/cotor/Photos/Hiking/Birds/BirdPages/AmericanBittern/AmericanBittern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.swartzentrover.com/cotor/Photos/Hiking/Birds/BirdPages/AmericanBittern/AmericanBittern.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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The coloration is similar, but no bold stripes or long neck!</div>
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I flipped a few pages over and there it was. </div>
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It was a Juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron. </div>
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Sibley's helpful progression was invaluable for the identification - the orange eye, the sharp yellowish bill, the large white spots on the wings, etc. </div>
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I was astonished of how much this bird changes from a juvenile to an adult. </div>
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<a href="http://www.swartzentrover.com/cotor/Photos/Hiking/Birds/BirdPages/Black-crownedNight-Heron/Black-crownedNight-Heron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.swartzentrover.com/cotor/Photos/Hiking/Birds/BirdPages/Black-crownedNight-Heron/Black-crownedNight-Heron.jpg" width="184" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155989716262672932noreply@blogger.com1