The water levels in some of the ponds are extremely low this year. Today, at a time of the year when a local pond might be full of Wood Ducks, I saw none. In their place were a few shorebirds feeding on the exposed earth in the middle of the pond. These shots are from last year at the same location. when there was considerably higher water levels.
The teals tend to gather in large numbers this time of year leading up to the duck hunting season when numbers will tend to dwindle. They like to feed in the river estuaries when the tide is low and often congregate in fresh water ponds at high tide to rest and preen.
From this Spring, a pair of Wood Ducks in an amorous mood. There are still a few juvenile Wood Ducks in the area but I haven't been able to get out to check other locations. Now that the travel ban on woods travel has been lifted maybe I'll get a chance to get out and take some new photos.
As the title suggests these photos were taken a year ago today at Blanche Point, Shelburne County NS. At the time it was probably the most photographed owl in Nova Scotia being the rarity that it was. I had some time alone with it, only going on a chance conversation that it was still there. Often I get disappointed when chasing rare birds so don't often bother. This was an exception and the owl wasn't hard to find.
Named for its white rump, obviously. Where many sandpipers have a dark dividing patch in the middle of that area, this species along with a few others has an all white rump. Generally this feature isn't seen unless the bird is in flight.
Generally when Spotted Sandpipers are vocal and approachable they have young ones somewhere nearby. I believe that was the case in this instance.
