Life at the Annapolis Royal Marsh

2012-01-13T13:28:00.002-04:00

Signs of wildlife have been scarce around the marsh. However, the beauty of the marsh in its winter dress is a pleasure in itself, as evidenced by this scene that greeted me as I entered the wooded section of the trail after a recent snowfall.

Reading the signs

2011-12-28T16:52:00.000-04:00

What were also very evident in the snow yesterday, were the tracks of deer. Quite a few deer make their home in the town year round, with the marsh being one of their favoured spots. I followed the tracks of at least two deer moving toward town along the trail spur that comes out by CARP headquarters (in the old train station). They had paused along the route to nibble at the tips of the multiflower rose and red osier dogwood bushes. The top photo shows a small dogwood sapling with all its tips bitten off. The bottom shot shows where a number of deer had climbed down to drink from the water in a ditch by the trail. Their tracks continued to the old train station and then up towards the main street.

Wildlife signs

2011-12-28T16:38:00.000-04:00

Although there's not that much wildlife to see around the marsh in the winter months, there is evidence of their presence once the snow comes. Yesterday I spotted the tracks of several different critters, including those of a small rodent (top) and those of a pheasant heading off into a stand of phragmites (bottom). The pheasant tracks were quite plentiful, and its not unusual to hear their calls at various places around the marsh.

Winter walking

2011-12-28T16:29:00.000-04:00

Although the snow has melted once more, while we had it, people continued to walk the trail around the now frozen marsh. The trail was covered with tracks when I went for my walk yesterday morning. That's the old train station off in the distance at the left.

Taking flight

2011-12-04T21:56:00.001-04:00

The geese were still on the marsh when I arrived this morning, but it wasn't long before they began to sound their departure calls. When they rose into the air, I got this shot. They headed northeast, perhaps to the Belle Isle Marsh.

Keeping a low profile

2011-12-04T21:42:00.001-04:00

This morning I spotted a small furry body sitting on a grassy clump at the marsh's edge. I wasn't quick enough to get a shot of the muskrat's head before it slipped into the water, but I was happy just to have caught a quick glimpse of one.

Strutting their stuff

2011-11-28T21:51:00.001-04:00

The hooded mergansers were in the same place today as they were yesterday, although today their number was up to fifteen. I stood and watched them for a few minutes, snapped a few pictures, and then I saw the adult males (there were four of them) begin to act strangely, and I heard a weird sound coming from them. I realized I was witnessing courtship display! Their crests, composed completely of feathers, were raised high and they were contorting their heads and bodies in a myriad of positions. As they did so, they emitted a frog-like growling sound. I've never seen anything quite like that. Here is some of what I witnessed.

Sure muskrat sign

2011-11-28T21:27:00.001-04:00

I walked the marsh trail yesterday for the first time since last Wednesday when a foot of snow dropped on us. It was also the first time I've seen ice on the marsh. The upper part was completely covered with a thin sheet. When I entered the wooded section of the trail, I startled a number of ducks that had been sheltering at the marsh's edge, including nine hooded mergansers. As they swam out, I moved closer to get a better look, and that's when I noticed this muskrat lodge, the first of the season. I was encouraged to see it, as I had seen little sign of the industrious animals since early summer. I found two more lodges before my walk ended.

Familiar songster

2011-11-10T23:06:00.001-04:00

I have seen a number of robins at the marsh lately, mostly on the stretch of the trail that comes out at the old train station. There are quite a few hawthorn trees and multiflower rose bushes along here, now sporting their red hips, which probably explains their presence. I suspect these birds are from the pairs that nested in the area this year. Apparently thousands of robins overwinter in the province, although we don't commonly see them until later in the winter when food sources are getting scarce, and they move closer to human habitation. Some of the foods they may be fed at this time are raw apples, raisins, grapes and bread crumbs.

There were three robins feeding in this multiflower rose bush on the trail this morning.

Omnivore

2011-11-10T22:01:00.001-04:00

I watched this blue jay for several minutes gleaning the snags at the marsh edge yesterday morning, including the one on which it is perched here. I did a little reading up on this bird, and learned that although its diet consists mainly of vegetable material like seeds, nuts and berries, it also feeds on insects. Apparently it figures largely in the control of tent caterpillars. I also learned that in the fall, the young gather in flocks and migrate south, while the adults remain where they nested and form groups with other blue jays in the neighbourhood. I am amused by what one author has to say about this gregarious bird: "The crowd at [our] feeders is no mob. It's not even a rabble. It's more of a family reunion. But . . . jays are greedy. Nothing can empty a feeder faster than a reunion of blue jays. Chickadees politely take one seed at a time and eat it in sight of the feeder. Blue jays eat and run. And they return again and again until all the seed is gone." The thing is, they're not eating all the seed they take, they also hide much of it, in crevices or by poking it into the ground.

Goose explosion

2011-11-08T23:04:00.000-04:00

The numbers of Canada geese on the marsh have continued to rise, now reaching about 135. Apparently the marsh has become a staging area for many family groups. They will rest here until the time comes for them to migrate. The top shot here shows about half of the flock. Sometimes they leave the marsh during the day to feed elsewhere, returning to the marsh for the night. The bottom shot, taken this morning, shows the two white geese that have joined the gathering, both with varying amounts of grey mixed with the white. They are definitely larger than their Canada cousins.

Our smallest merganser

2011-11-08T22:29:00.000-04:00

On Monday I was able to get close enough to get this shot of two of the hooded mergansers that are now on the marsh. I believe the lower bird is a female as it has a yellow bill (the first year males look much like the females, but have a darker bill). The upper bird is a male with its crest raised. They may remain until the marsh freezes, then move to the river.

Update

2011-11-05T15:31:00.000-03:00

For those of you who have been wondering if I've fallen off the face of the earth, I'm still here and still walking around the marsh every day. The reason there have been no postings of late is that I've had few sightings of anything close enough to get a good shot. Compared to last year, there seems to have been much less activity at the marsh. There are still ducks on the water - blacks, mallards, buffleheads, American wigeons, green-wing teals, even a few hooded mergansers - but for the most part, they stay quite a ways from shore. I have had one muskrat sighting since mid-summer. Even the chipmunks and red squirrels haven't been as plentiful as usual. I think some of the reason has to be because of the presence of the great horned owl family that nested near the marsh last winter and remained in the area until the end of the summer. I'm sure the wildlife at the marsh were easy pickings for these predators. I will continue to walk the trail until it becomes impassable, but postings from now until spring will likely be intermittent. Until next time, here's a couple of shots I got recently. The one of the cedar waxwing was taken on Halloween, a lovely day that followed the nor'easter that blew through. The bottom shot was taken yesterday. There were two black ducks perched on the stick to the right when I approached, but when they saw me they jumped off into the water and swam away. I happened to get this shot just as the second one plopped into the water.

Return of the clowns

2011-10-27T17:27:00.004-03:00

The buffleheads have returned to the marsh from their breeding grounds farther north. (I call them clowns because of their playful antics.) A few have been here for a couple of weeks, but were mainly on the sewage lagoon. I caught these two this morning on the marsh proper. Its difficult to tell if these two are adult females or first winter males, as the young ones of both sexes resemble adult females. They'll be seen bobbing around the marsh until it freezes over, at which time some may move to the river and remain through the winter while the remainder may move farther down the coast.

Standing out

2011-10-27T17:14:00.003-03:00

The geese are remaining on the marsh longer in the day now. I have only seen one of the white geese with the large flock these last few days. Doing some research on the presence of white geese with Canadas, and given the large size of the bird, I'm inclined to believe that it is a cross between a domestic goose and a Canada goose. Snow geese are generally smaller birds than the Canadas. This shot was taken on Tuesday of this week.

Two surprises

2011-10-23T21:48:00.004-03:00

I got to the marsh Friday morning before the Canada geese had left for the river. I was surprised at the explosion of numbers - I counted 105 birds (a week ago there were between 50 & 60). What I was also surprised by was the presence of two white geese among the pack (one shown here). Since they were far out on the water, I couldn't get a clear shot, but it looks like the white birds may be snow geese.

Flight of the fisher kings

2011-10-23T21:36:00.005-03:00

When I saw these birds flying over the marsh last Friday, I assumed they were the Canada geese that spend nights on the marsh and fly out to the river come morning. However, I thought it rather odd that they weren't making any noise. When I zoomed in, I discovered they were cormorants. What I may have witnessed was a migratory flight, as apparently October and November are the peak migration times for northern cormorants.

Species competition

2011-10-14T22:22:00.003-03:00

I didn't know until today that the American black duck population is declining, due to pressure from the ubiquitous mallard - through interbreeding and displacement from preferred breeding habitat. The black duck population at the marsh appears to my eyes to be relatively consistent, but there does seem to be a growing number of mallards present. This shot shows some of the mallards I saw this morning.

Still here!

2011-10-14T22:04:00.004-03:00

Until yesterday, I hadn't seen any of the wood ducks for a couple of weeks. I even checked the sewage lagoon where a pair remained into November last year. But yesterday I got a glimpse of at least one drake, and this morning I spied several of the ducks, including these two males. They are now in their full breeding plumage, and present the sleek appearance that we associate with these birds.

Last sighting of the season?

2011-10-14T21:48:00.006-03:00

This northern shoveler drake was feeding by himself at the marsh this morning. He still hasn't achieved his full breeding plumage. I expect he will be leaving for his wintering grounds any day now.

The magic of the marsh

2011-10-12T22:02:00.004-03:00

I got to the marsh this morning just as the night's fog was lifting and the sun was breaking through. Fog makes the marsh a magical place.

Smart move

2011-10-12T21:37:00.005-03:00

Last year about this time, there was a good-sized group of green-winged teal that had moved from the marsh proper into the small pond alongside the railbed. This morning I found these three, one male, two female, feeding there, along with another group resting on a clump of cattails. They are one of the last ducks to leave the marsh in the fall - and one of the earliest to return in the spring.

Late leaver

2011-10-12T20:53:00.004-03:00

The yellow-rumped warblers are still here, as evidenced by this one seen at the marsh this morning. Its now in its non-breeding plumage, which isn't as colorful. It could be here for another couple of weeks yet.

Preparing for the journey

2011-10-12T20:39:00.006-03:00

This swamp sparrow was feeding on a gone-to-seed goldenrod plant at the marsh this morning. The gray 'collar' and the rufous flanks of the bird helped to distinguish it from similar sparrows. Most swamp sparrows leave the area by the middle of October, so chances are this one won't be here much longer.

Asleep on its foot

2011-10-11T20:52:00.005-03:00

There have been several greater yellowlegs around the marsh lately, especially on the edges of the tidal creek, since they are shore birds. This one, however, was fast asleep, standing on one of its long yellow legs on a floating log in the cove at the sailing school the other day. They breed farther north as well as in Cape Breton and northern Nova Scotia, but some always spend time here in the fall on their migration route.

Welcome visitor

2011-10-11T20:39:00.004-03:00

I know, this isn't a very good quality shot, but as I couldn't get a better one it will have to do. I include it because it is of a duck that I've never seen before at the marsh (although that doesn't mean they haven't been here before). The duck was some distance away, and looked very similar to a female mallard, but I noticed its neck was very long. After checking my field guides, I'm pretty sure it was a female Northern Pintail (the males have much more elaborate markings, plus longer tails). Apparently they nest in salt and freshwater marshes in the province, but I don't believe we've had any nesting here as yet. I'll keep my eyes open for more of these birds.

Still active

2011-10-11T20:30:00.005-03:00

Bumble bees are still quite active, as evidenced by this one collecting nectar from a late-blooming knapweed blossom yesterday at the marsh. Apparently bumble bees are often the first bees out in the spring and the last in the fall. If this is a queen, with the first frosts she will find a safe place to hibernate. The queens are the only ones to survive the winter.

"Who does he think he is??"

2011-10-07T17:02:00.005-03:00

There were a few black ducks at one of their usual spots in the tidal creek at the marsh this morning, along with a yellowlegs (probably a greater, difficult to tell from a distance) - and a double crested cormorant, which seemed to have engendered some interest from the group . . .

Hanging in there

2011-10-07T16:50:00.006-03:00

It has been very quiet at the marsh since the rain and wind of last weekend and into the beginning of the week. Ducks seem to be scarce, as are the song birds. No sign of the yellow garden spider or her web, but her egg sac remains. This group of ducks - four male mallards all spruced up in their breeding plumage, one female mallard and an American wigeon (left rear) - were feeding far out on the water yesterday morning and again today.

Organic shopping in the rain

2011-10-07T16:37:00.005-03:00

The rainy weather kept me from the marsh for a few days, although I did take part in a Scott Kelby Photo Walk in town on Saturday, October 1st. This is the fourth year for these photo walks that occur all over the world on the first weekend in October. We were fortunate to have one of only three that occurred in Nova Scotia. Our route began with the Farmers' Market, then along the boardwalk to Fort Anne and the Garrison Cemetery, and back down the main street to Ye Olde Towne Pub where participants met for lunch. You may recall that it was a rainy day, which made for some innovative picture taking, believe me. I bailed out after the Farmers' Market, but here is one of the shots I managed to get - and which I submitted to the Annapolis Royal Photo Walk group on Flickr.

Tightrope walking

2011-09-29T20:30:00.005-03:00

I finally got to see the great blue heron that my son has been seeing at the marsh most mornings (he's out earlier than I). It was standing on the trunk of an old fallen tree at first, then moved over to one of its branches. Some of the foam often seen on the river around the tidal power plant had been blown into the cove at the sailing school.

Pest control

2011-09-29T20:16:00.004-03:00

The yellow garden spider was wrapping a grasshopper that had gotten caught in her web when I stopped to check on her this morning. Apparently the spiders inject their prey with venom to kill them, then wrap them in silk for later consumption. I have seen grasshoppers stuck there a number of times.

Fall harvest

2011-09-28T20:36:00.006-03:00

These colourful New England asters are in bloom in many places now, including the marsh. This cluster had four bumblebees busily collecting nectar from the blossoms yesterday, two of which are shown here. Apparently bumble bees are attracted to blue and purple flowers like these asters.

Caught in the act

2011-09-28T20:23:00.005-03:00

On Monday morning there were a number of juvenile cedar waxwings feeding on berries in the glossy buckthorns. It was amusing to watch them plucking the berries and gulping them down. With luck I was able to catch this one with its berry-stuffed beak.

Eggs a-plenty

2011-09-28T20:07:00.007-03:00

I've been checking the yellow garden spider every day since I first spotted her. She's still at the same location, but when I looked on Monday she wasn't in the centre of her web as usual, but was off to one side guarding her egg sac as seen here. Apparently the spider will be killed by a hard frost, but her egg sac will remain until spring when the eggs will hatch, releasing up to 1,000 baby spiders, each the size of a dust mite. (Image Photoshopped)

Sprucing its feathers

2011-09-25T20:13:00.005-03:00

It was my son who spotted this male yellow-shafted northern flicker high in a poplar tree as we were leaving the marsh this morning. As we watched, it began to preen, and it certainly did a thorough job of it. It's easy to see why it's called a yellow-shafted flicker.

Hiding in the reeds

2011-09-25T19:56:00.004-03:00

There were a number of common yellowthroats foraging in the large phragmites patch alongside the railbed this morning. It was difficult to get a shot, as they are constantly in motion, but I did manage to get this female.

Hanger-on

2011-09-25T19:10:00.007-03:00

There were a number of these yellow-rumped warblers flitting about this morning. They'll be here for awhile yet, as they are one of the last of the warblers to migrate. This one is a first winter female.

Pint-sized predator

2011-09-22T22:06:00.006-03:00

Today being the last day of summer, I was hoping to find something special at the marsh to post to the blog. I wasn't disappointed. Although I've seen these little falcons at the marsh on the odd occasion, I've never been close enough to get a shot of one. Previously known as the pigeon hawk, it is now called a merlin. Apparently they are most frequently seen in September and October, probably as they gather to fly to their winter quarters in the south. These two shots are of the same bird, but there were at least two, being harassed by a small group of blue jays.

Another sparrow puzzle

2011-09-22T22:00:00.004-03:00

Here's another shot of a sparrow that was moving about in the low brush near the water's edge this morning. I think this one might be a juvenile tan-striped white-throated sparrow, but again, I'm not absolutely sure, and am hoping someone out there can tell me if I'm right - or not.

Natural art

2011-09-22T21:51:00.004-03:00

I noticed a number of unnatural additions to the marsh landscape on this morning's walk, including this charming woodland scene hanging from a Scots pine tree. I'm pretty sure they are the work of an art class at the Academy, as they have done similar things before. The pieces are all created out of natural materials, and are placed in various locations around the trail. I especially liked the little figure in this creation. (Image Photoshopped)

Wary duck

2011-09-22T21:46:00.003-03:00

This young male American black duck happened to be feeding close to the water's edge this morning, so I got off a few quick shots before he swam away.

Pretty, if you like spiders

2011-09-18T20:30:00.006-03:00

I met a new creature at the marsh yesterday. One of its common names is Yellow Garden Spider, or technically Argiope aurantia. Doing a little research on the arachnid, I discovered that it is a very common spider, found throughout most of the U.S. and in southern Canada. It usually stays in the same spot all season long. It consumes the central part of its web every day, then spins a new centre. Yesterday there was a partially eaten grasshopper in its web. Today the spider was in the same spot, and the grasshopper was gone. The tiny green midge in the lower shot got caught in its web while I was watching.

Young family

2011-09-18T20:25:00.005-03:00

Several people have spotted this doe with her young pair at different places around town, but today was the first time I got to see them. They were browsing at the edge of the trail on the back side of the marsh this morning. The fawns must have been born late, as they are still only about half grown. They moved off into the trees when I approached them.

Just checking

2011-09-18T20:19:00.004-03:00

I heard this woodpecker when I went to check on the wood ducks this morning. It's a downy woodpecker (black marks on white outer tail feathers), and since it has no red patch on the back of its head, must be a female. It was inspecting the large fresh hole in this dead snag, which I assume was made by a flicker.

Sparrow of the wetlands

2011-09-18T20:11:00.005-03:00

Well, finally a day when there was something worth posting to the blog. Things have been rather quiet around the marsh. It was a calm day for a change, which might have had something to do with it.

I caught this swamp sparrow (at least I'm fairly certain that's what it is!) low in the trees at the edge of the marsh this morning.

Changing into fall colours

2011-09-12T22:18:00.005-03:00

I had to check out the wood ducks on Saturday, and sure enough, there were a number of them roosting in the dead trees and swimming about among them. The male in the tree is molting out of his eclipse plumage into his full colours. The bird at the bottom is a female wood duck, who is also molting, but the change isn't as noticeable.

Common warbler

2011-09-12T22:04:00.004-03:00

This female common yellowthroat was busily moving about a downed gray birch tree at the marsh on Saturday. I heard its chep call before I saw it. Checking last year's photo catalog, I found that the latest shot I had of one of these birds was on November 4th. Although September is their usual departure time, apparently it is not uncommon for some to remain on their breeding range through winter.

Teal green teal

2011-09-12T21:57:00.004-03:00

This fellow, a male green-winged teal, was all by his lonesome Saturday at the marsh. His green wing feathers (speculum) are easily seen here, and his head is beginning to take on its breeding plumage colours.

Stopping for a visit

2011-09-12T21:51:00.005-03:00

When I walked the trail on Saturday the 10th, I was happy to see some of the Canada geese back on the marsh. Of course they may have been making occasional visits to the marsh, but this is only the second time I've seen them here since the young ones began to fly. This is three of the seven that I saw.

Just passing through

2011-09-09T21:11:00.006-03:00

I need to confess a faux pas I've been making regarding this bird, which I earlier took to be a lesser yellowlegs. It's not. A gentleman I met on the trail the other day who is a long time birder set me straight. It is a solitary sandpiper, a shorebird like the yellowlegs, and is on its migration route, stopping here for awhile to feed. It was in the same place today that it has been for the past week now.

Accomodating model

2011-09-09T21:04:00.004-03:00

This little fellow was just sitting in the middle of the path around noon today. It was probably soaking in the warmth of the sun. It didn't blink an eye when I got down to ground level to 'shoot' it face on. It's a green frog, one of our most common frogs.

Busy bumble bees

2011-09-09T21:00:00.004-03:00

The fall dandelions are in full bloom now along the sides of the trail around the marsh, and the bees are having a field day. This bumble bee was moving from blossom to blossom when I spotted it this morning.

Hanging tight

2011-09-09T20:41:00.005-03:00

I was trying to get close to a small flock of red-winged blackbirds this morning when I heard the tell-tale rapping of a woodpecker. This hairy was exploring the end of a large branch which had broken off and lodged in another tree. It had found a tiny grub which it is holding in its beak.

Great feathered hunter

2011-09-06T22:14:00.006-03:00

It was the squawking blue jay that was the clue. Yesterday, except for the same lesser yellowlegs foraging in the duckweed and the ducks feeding out in the marsh, there didn't seem to be much of photographic value until I moved into the woods to check out the wood ducks. This blue jay was making quite the commotion, but I didn't think much of it as that's what blue jays do, until I noticed a large feathery body perched atop one of the snags. It had to be one of the two resident juvenile great horned owls that have been seen at different locations in town, including the marsh, since they hatched early this year. I looked around for its sibling but didn't see it.

Delicate strutter

2011-09-04T20:59:00.007-03:00

For the second day in a row, there was a lesser yellowlegs foraging in the duckweed at the upper end of the marsh this morning, presumably the same bird. If I got too close, it would fly up, emitting its high-pitched tiw, tiw, tiw cry, and land farther along. These birds return from their breeding grounds farther north about this time of the year, spend a short while here, then continue south on their migration journey.

Bad feather day??

2011-09-04T20:54:00.003-03:00

I saw several yellow warblers again today. They are usually early migrants, so I expect it won't be long before they'll be departing. This young one was obviously doing some grooming when I caught it.

Feeling their oats

2011-09-04T20:50:00.004-03:00

There were a number of chickadees in the area just as you enter the wooded section of the trail today, chasing each other around. They are never still, so catching them 'on film' is a chore. It took me several tries to get these two.

A lucky shot

2011-09-04T20:39:00.005-03:00

I couldn't believe my luck with this shot. I was in the woods near the water's edge taking some shots of a common yellowthroat, when I happened to hear the sound of a humming bird just above my head. I turned slowly to find it, and it flew to this limb to perch for a moment. It's either a female or a juvenile male. I have seen hummers at the marsh on several occasions, but this is the first time I was able to get a shot of one in the wild. (Poster edges filter applied.)

Not camera shy

2011-09-04T20:33:00.006-03:00

This female mallard was feeding in the duckweed along the edge of the marsh on Friday. It didn't swim away when I approached like most ducks do, enabling me to get a decent shot. It could be a juvenile, as they seem to be less wary.

It's a guess

2011-09-04T20:25:00.004-03:00

I need some help with this one. It was fairly low in the brush of the wooded area at the marsh on Friday. I think it may be a tan-striped white-throated sparrow, but I'm far from certain. Not seeing its wings doesn't help.

Handsome birds

2011-08-31T21:20:00.005-03:00

There were several of the wood ducks roosting in or busily feeding in the water around the snags at the marsh this morning. The three with red eyes are the males, with a female at the right.

Yellow on purple

2011-08-31T21:01:00.006-03:00

The strong winds of Sunday and Monday bent over the common reed (phragmites) at the marsh. Yesterday both American goldfinches and yellow warblers were feeding in the reeds, which I haven't seen before. Perhaps the bent over stems were easier to perch on.

One lone grebe

2011-08-31T20:32:00.004-03:00

I was very happy to see this little pied-billed grebe yesterday, as grebes have been few and far between this year at the marsh, which is unusual. There were at least three pair at the beginning of the season, and one of those pair I know nested, but something must have happened to them. I miss the juveniles, who would congregate at this time of the year and cavort about in the water.

See through damselfly

2011-08-27T21:55:00.004-03:00

Here's yet another of the many damselflies seen around the marsh these days, perched atop a clump of wool-grass. It's body is almost translucent.

Another marsh garden plant

2011-08-27T21:45:00.005-03:00

Another flower blooming in marsh habitats this time of the year is the Spotted Touch-me-not (named for the seed capsules that burst upon touch), aka Jewelweed. I noticed this one in a partially shady spot this morning, with the dew still present on its leaves and stems. The blossoms are a favorite of hummingbirds, and are frequented by bees and butterflies. Apparently the juice from the leaves and stems was used to treat poison ivy and other rashes by First Nations peoples.

Bees love yellow flowers

2011-08-27T21:34:00.004-03:00

This is a close-up of the bur-marigold that is now in full bloom all around the marsh. If you look closely, there is a bee on the bud on the right, which I didn't notice at the time I took the shot.

Intent warbler

2011-08-25T17:49:00.005-03:00

There were a number of yellow-rumped warblers about this morning at the marsh, although they seem to congregate in the area around the wood-duck nesting boxes and the adjacent woods, why I'm not sure. This one, a juvenile I believe, was busily foraging for insects along tree branches. (I added a poster-edges filter to sharpen the image.)

Watch where you step

2011-08-25T17:42:00.004-03:00

This tiny (no more than two inches long) leopard frog leapt out of my way this morning when I was venturing off the trail to check the wood ducks. It's the first one I've seen in several weeks.

In mid-flight

2011-08-25T17:36:00.005-03:00

The flat-topped white asters are coming into bloom at the marsh, and the bumble bees seem to gravitate toward them. I tried to get a shot of this bee on one of the clusters, but without success, so I used the burst function on my camera and caught it in flight.

Sad reminder

2011-08-25T17:00:00.005-03:00

I don't like to see these Bur-Marigolds (Bidens) come into bloom at the marsh because it always reminds me that summer is coming to a close (it comes too soon for me). However, they do add a colorful note to the landscape. These flowers are also known as Sticktights or Beggars-ticks, as the seeds of the plant stick to clothing and animal fur.

Welcome any day

2011-08-25T16:41:00.004-03:00

I have been seeing more dragonflies at the marsh recently, more than I've noticed on previous years. (These are good insects to have around; they don't bite, they don't sting, and they devour numerous pesky insects daily!) I caught this attractive one yesterday. No luck trying to identify it so far, perhaps one of the darners?? Perhaps someone out there knows their Odonata better than I.

New warbler for the list

2011-08-25T16:31:00.004-03:00

This clump of choke cherry trees at the marsh has always been a prime spot for seeing birds, and Tuesday was no exception. It wasn't until I got my photos downloaded to my computer that I was able to identify the bird that I had seen. It turns out to be a first for me at the marsh, a chestnut-sided warbler. It's likely a juvenile, although it could be an adult in its summer dress. It's also possible that it was hatched at the marsh, as its the right kind of habitat for these birds apparently.

Evidence in the duckweed

2011-08-25T16:24:00.004-03:00

This shot of a young American black duck, which was feeding in the duckweed until I disturbed it, gives a good indication of the molting that is presently taking place among the waterfowl, what with all the feathers caught in the duckweed.

A typical marsh scene

2011-08-22T22:35:00.005-03:00

I thought I'd post a more general view of the waterfowl on the marsh to give a better sense of their context. Most of the ducks seen here are black ducks, although there are a few blue teals and mallards in the mix, and one northern shoveler at lower right. There are also a few ducks perched in the various snags.

Sneaking up on them

2011-08-22T22:25:00.004-03:00

I found several ducks hiding away in the dead trees this morning, four male wood ducks and six black ducks, mostly males (yellow bills). The purple speculum on one of the black ducks' wings is in plain view here. (The black duck is the only dabbling duck that doesn't look much different after it undergoes its summer molt.) The birds were all aware that there was something lurking in the bushes.

Summer camouflage

2011-08-22T22:17:00.006-03:00

Thanks again to the duckweed being closer to the marsh edges, I was able to get a shot of this northern shoveler yesterday (notice the large bill). After I took this shot, I noticed five more of the birds nearby. I think this one is a male, although since he is in his summer dress, it's a little hard to tell.

A closer look

2011-08-22T22:14:00.002-03:00

I got a closer look at the hooded mergansers yesterday, at least I assume they are of the same group. They were in the cove at the sailing school.

Painting the town

2011-08-20T22:27:00.005-03:00

This has nothing to do with the marsh, but I have to get in a plug for the very popular annual event Paint the Town which is happening in Annapolis Royal this week-end. Artists from all over the province come to literally paint the town, then place their work up for bid at the end of each day. These two young women, who happen to be twins, had chosen the work shed at the Annapolis Boat Haul-up, with its display of colorful buoys, as their subject this morning. The marsh is also featured in the occasional painting.

The curiosity of youth?

2011-08-20T22:22:00.004-03:00

I got close enough to these two female wood ducks this morning to get a decent shot before they swam away. They may be juveniles, which may explain why they let me get within 20 feet of them. The adults are always more wary.

Waterfowl ballet

2011-08-20T22:16:00.004-03:00

These three black ducks, seen here in their typical bottoms-up feeding posture, were after weeds on the marsh floor this morning. They were joined by two blue-winged teal.

Our smallest dabbler

2011-08-20T22:11:00.005-03:00

This green-winged teal was feeding in the duckweed this morning, too. Its beak and the little patch of green on its wing distinguish it from the very similar blue-winged teal.

Love that duckweed

2011-08-20T22:01:00.006-03:00

The wind has blown the duckweed into the edges of the marsh, and many of the ducks may be seen scooping it up with their beaks. These blue-winged teal were busy feeding this morning. At this time of the year, all the ducks have undergone their first molt, leaving the males looking like their female counterparts (the white feathers in the duckweed are left from molting). This makes it more difficult to tell some of the species apart. The color and shape of the bill, which doesn't change, helps to identify them.

The hoodies are back

2011-08-20T21:48:00.004-03:00

These ducks were in the French Basin when I walked around the trail this morning. I first noticed a duck with a tail sticking up, and then realized there were seven of them. When I zoomed in, I discovered they were hooded mergansers (at this time of the year, the males resemble the females). Last year there were several on the marsh in the late summer.

Sleight-of-beak

2011-08-18T21:58:00.005-03:00

The yellow warblers are still here, although they will be on their way before long. This male was foraging in the wooded area of the trail this morning. In the top photo, if you look at the top left, you will see a damselfly clinging to a grass head. The bottom shot was taken just a split-second later - the bird had picked the damselfly off that quickly.

Easy to identify

2011-08-18T21:38:00.004-03:00

This morning I noticed a Yellow-rumped warbler at the marsh, the first one I've seen since early in the summer, when they were around in large numbers. They usually nest in coniferous stands, or mixed coniferous & deciduous, so may have nested farther north. They should be present at the marsh into October, as they are the latest of our warblers to migrate. Primarily insectivores, in late summer and fall they also feed on berries.

Lying in wait

2011-08-18T21:22:00.006-03:00

There was a heavy dew last night, and this morning it clung to all the sheet webs in the grasses. These webs are made by grass spiders, who lurk beneath openings in the webs in wait for any unsuspecting prey that may land on them. They are seen especially in late summer and fall. In this shot, you can just make out the spider below a hole on the left.

On alert

2011-08-18T21:16:00.004-03:00

I realized I haven't posted many pics of waterfowl lately. There are still many ducks on the marsh, but in most cases too far out on the water to get decent shots of. Except for the wood ducks who still seem to congregate in among the dead trees near the wood duck nesting boxes. I was able to get a shot of this adult male yesterday before he jumped down and swam away.

Avian ant-eater

2011-08-15T22:29:00.007-03:00

This was a happy surprise this morning. When I went to check out the wood ducks where they hide among the dead trees, I heard the tell-tale clear keew call of a flicker. I finally got close enough, without scaring it off, to get a clear shot of the bird through the bushes. I'm not sure if it was a male or a female, as apparently both sexes have the black cheek patches when they are juveniles (adult females do not have them). The juveniles remain in family groups after fledging, and are fed by the adults for several weeks. The two shots are of the same bird, but after taking the second shot, I noticed it was accompanied by two others.

Becoming scarce

2011-08-15T22:19:00.004-03:00

The marsh was relatively quiet this morning, but there were a couple of sightings worthy enough to post to the blog. I caught this great blue heron fishing in the tidal stream between the marsh and the highway. I was happy as I've only seen the occasional heron at the marsh lately.

Good birds to have around

2011-08-13T23:22:00.003-03:00

I've seen and heard a number of Cedar Waxwings around the marsh lately, probably because of the ripening berries. But this one was feeding on a nest of tent caterpillars in a gray birch tree. Apparently cedar waxwings are "efficient predators of foliage-eating caterpillars", according to one of my sources. You can see some of the gauzy web on its beak.

Feeling good

2011-08-13T23:17:00.003-03:00

I was pleasantly surprised this morning to see a painted turtle basking in the sun. I don't think I have seen a turtle since egg-laying season back in June. Of course the lack of much sun in the meantime may have had something to do with it.

It's a mystery to me

2011-08-13T23:09:00.004-03:00

As I was walking through the wooded section of the trail this morning, I heard a noise, and looked to find the source of the sound. It was then I saw a squirrel at the base of a small tree carrying a big black something. It climbed the tree, trying to hold on to its burden, and I snapped this shot quickly before it disappeared into the trees. I still can't figure out what it was carrying, but I certainly have never seen anything like that before. Any guesses??

Even dandelions come in handy

2011-08-13T22:59:00.005-03:00

There were a number of song sparrows feeding in the vegetation along the water's edge this morning, but this one happened to stop beside the path to feed on a dandelion which had gone to seed. If you look really closely, you can see the white part that it detached from the seed just below the bird.

Warming up

2011-08-13T22:51:00.004-03:00

What a difference a sunny day makes. Not only humans but also the wildlife seemed to be rejoicing in the sun and its warmth this morning. I caught this brown butterfly on a blackberry leaf sunning itself. It is a common butterfly in our area, called a Little Wood Satyr. They feed on bird droppings and rotting fruit. The blackberries are beginning to ripen, which probably explains its presence where I found it.

Seeds aplenty

2011-08-13T22:34:00.005-03:00

On Thursday the 11th, not much luck getting good shots at the marsh, but I did notice a number of purple finches near the water's edge in the wooded area of the trail. I had been seeing these birds there over the past week or so, but was a little confused as to their identification. They all looked like female purple finches, as I wasn't seeing any purple ones. Then I discovered that in late summer, purple finches tend to form unisexual flocks, plus the males become duller in color. This bird was feeding on the seed stalk of a curled dock plant when I caught it.

Late bloomer

2011-08-10T22:39:00.005-03:00

This little fellow is too cute for words. I happened upon him yesterday morning, along with one of his parents, moving about in some shrubs. It's obvious that he hasn't been out of the nest for very long since he still has some of his baby feathers, which I take to mean he came from a late brood for yellow warblers.

A fisher king

2011-08-10T22:24:00.003-03:00

Yes, there is a bird in this picture. If you look really closely, you'll see a Kingfisher perched on the end of one of the branches. This is one of the places where these birds perch before flying out over the water and swooping down for fish. This is as close as I could get yesterday before it took off. Getting a shot of them is nearly impossible (for me anyway!).

A furry entertainer

2011-08-03T21:54:00.003-03:00

I think this might be the same chipmunk I saw (and posted to the blog) a few days ago, or perhaps its mate, as it was in the same vicinity this morning, and as a rule chipmunks stick to their home range. As I passed this large clump of choke cherry trees, I thought I heard something falling through the foliage. Sure enough, when I looked up there was this little furry critter in a clump of the berries. As I watched, it plucked the berries, stripped the flesh from the pits (that's what I heard falling through the leaves), and stuffed the pits into its cheeks. Neat! (Photos digitally modified.)

On fish patrol

2011-08-03T20:57:00.006-03:00

It doesn't seem as though there have been as many cormorants at the marsh this year as there were last year. I wonder if the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, where many cormorants overwinter, had anything to do with it. At any rate, today I did find this juvenile (pale breast) perched close enough to get a reasonably decent shot.