I headed out to the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm this morning, figuring I had a good chance of spotting some warblers. Even though I stretched my walk by about a mile longer than usual, I didn’t see or hear any fall migrants. But on the way back to my car, I spotted a Northern harrierContinue reading “Northern harriers return to the Pole Farm”
Tag Archives: birding photography
Cold breeze, nice light and good birding
We woke up to clear skies and brilliant sunshine this morning, which turned out to be nice conditions for an outing at the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm. The highlight was getting to see a male Northern harrier twice swooping along the tree line up the central path, once from a distance and once close enoughContinue reading “Cold breeze, nice light and good birding”
The shot that got away
With another wet, wind-driven storm bearing down on the East Coast, I thought I’d better get out for a bit of birding yesterday morning, as I likely wouldn’t have a chance today. I made only a short visit to the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm, where once again I spotted a female Northern harrier perched atopContinue reading “The shot that got away”
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”
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!”
Falling out of the nest
On Monday the week before last, I didn’t feel right when I stepped out of the car at Mercer Meadows. I felt out of whack and decided to drive home, and called in a rare sick day at work. Later that morning, I tumbled out the back door onto our patio. This birder was grounded.Continue reading “Falling out of the nest”
Super Bowl Sunday: A great day for (bald) eagles
Mercer County Park has become a haven for bald eagles and a terrific place for birders and bird-fanciers to watch them. If you’ve never seen a bald eagle in the wild, you have an excellent chance of seeing one and probably more this time of year at Mercer Lake in the center of the park.Continue reading “Super Bowl Sunday: A great day for (bald) eagles”
Patience pays off, in birding and nature photography
On most Saturday mornings, I start my day at the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm. I don’t have the pressure of having to get back in time to catch a bus to work, so I have more time to wander the fields. This morning, I arrived before dawn, hoping to catch sight of the short-eared owlsContinue reading “Patience pays off, in birding and nature photography”
Northern harriers at sunset, and that is enough
The sun finally came out late in the afternoon Saturday, which up until that point had brought nothing but rain and drizzle. I headed out to the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm, hoping for a chance to catch something worth photographing. In the half hour before sunset, my best bet was to have a chance atContinue reading “Northern harriers at sunset, and that is enough”
The Jersey Birder 