To keep out those pesky invasive vegetation species, the Mercer County Parks system does a controlled burn early each year at Mercer Meadows. Last week, conditions were right, and several of the meadows were put to the torch. I visited the Pole Farm yesterday and adjoining Reed Bryan Farm today to check out conditions. PortionsContinue reading “After the fire, the birds return”
Category Archives: Birds in the wild
Sitting on a park bench, eyeing bald eagles with photo intent
Some outings are long walks, and others are short, each with their own charms. Today, I had a typical walk at the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm in the morning. In the afternoon, I headed over to Mercer County Park in hopes of sighting and shooting photos of a few eagles. It was a short walkContinue reading “Sitting on a park bench, eyeing bald eagles with photo intent”
Are the birds hinting at spring?
As the dreary days of winter drag on, I’m ever on alert for early signs of spring. Maybe the imminent arrival of Groundhog Day is stoking my curiosity, but I know for sure that certain bird behavior hints that hope springs vernal! As I stepped out of the house yesterday morning, I heard a cardinalContinue reading “Are the birds hinting at spring?”
A long look at a short-eared owl
In my few short years of being a serious birder, owl sightings have been few. I’ve seen short-eared owls flying around sunset a few times and I’ve snatched partial glimpses at long-eared owls tucked deep into the trees. But last Saturday morning I received an unexpected treat at the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm. A short-earedContinue reading “A long look at a short-eared owl”
Catching common mergansers in flight
It’s mid-January, and as in much of the country, we are more often than not waking to leaden gray skies in my part of New Jersey. But Saturday dawned gloriously sunny, and I headed out with my camera anticipating excellent shooting conditions. I stopped first at Audubon’s Plainsboro Preserve, hoping there’d be a variety ofContinue reading “Catching common mergansers in flight”
More owls and an impressive murmuration
Back to the Pole Farm I went this afternoon, hoping to see more short-eared owls and Northern harriers flash about as the sun set. The cloud cover was heavy and the light low, not ideal for photography. Nonetheless, the Cold Soil Road parking lot was packed again (a sure sign of owl fever) as I pulledContinue reading “More owls and an impressive murmuration”
Owls in action at the Pole Farm
On this Winter Solstice, I felt an obligation to do some birding at my favorite spot, the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm. It’s prime season for short-eared owls there, and I hoped I’d get a chance to see a few of them flying around sunset. The birding gods were kind. On this, the shortest day ofContinue reading “Owls in action at the Pole Farm”
Nothing beats getting close to the birds with a zoom lens
I debate myself on whether I more enjoy birding itself or my photography while doing so. I’ve come to realize that for me, those two aspects are the yin and yang of my excursions. My enjoyment of birding increased considerably once I locked my Sigma 150-600 mm Contemporary zoom lens onto my Canon SL2 camera.Continue reading “Nothing beats getting close to the birds with a zoom lens”
Camera surprise: It’s a bald eagle!
On a walk when I found few birds other than Canada Geese, I took just six photos this morning, one of which I trashed in the camera on site. When I got home, I almost didn’t bother to check the card because the pickings at the Millstone River Impoundment in Princeton were so slim. IContinue reading “Camera surprise: It’s a bald eagle!”
Getting a glimpse of long-eared owls
It has taken a few years, but I’m finally getting to log owls onto my life list. This morning, I added three long-eared owls, thanks to the kindness (and high-tech equipment) of birders I encountered at the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm. I managed a two-mile loop on one of my favorite trail circuits, and IContinue reading “Getting a glimpse of long-eared owls”
The Jersey Birder 