Nature Photography Hike

 Yellow Flag Iris

Armitage Road

Stopped at 6:45 AM while making my way to the Montezuma Audubon Center (MAC) at the Cayuga-Seneca Lock. Glenn Gaston was there photographing two eaglets in the nest. The adult eagle was perched on a tree at the lake point. Glenn mentioned that he was doing a presentation on eagles this coming Sunday at the Mentz Church. Also Glenn expects the eaglets to leave the nest in the next two weeks.

Pulling into Tschache Pool to the Good Morning sounds of the Song Sparrow from his regular perch in the tree in front of the observation tower. The pool has a few feeders present - Canada Geese, Northern Shovelers, Green-wing Teal. Plus there was a Downy Woodpecker in the woods behind the restroom.

At the Noga Blind there was a White-crowned Sparrow.

In the Crusoe Creek cul-de-sac a Yellow Warbler greeted my arrival. Also observed a Gray Catbird and a Baltimore Oriole  during my brief stay.

Arrived at the MAC at 9 AM. Hike leader, Naturalist Dave Spier, was in the main room conversing with Dawn. After brief introductions the three of us headed out.

The Purple Martins were buzzing around the Martin houses. From the parking lot we heard a Sandhill Crane. Using cattails as the subject Dave gave us some pointers in photography then a green frog appeared to help us practice with a live subject.

Walking down the path to the ponds we flushed up a American Woodcock. While unsuccessful in capturing it on the camera, we did see it again. This was a life bird for me. Dave wrote an article describing this bird.

In the large lone tree among the grasses Dawn spotted an Eastern Kingbird.

Upon entering the woods near the fire pit Dawn drew our attention to a Gray Catbird.

After pausing to look at the Tulip Tree came the highlight of the day - a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Dave has recently wrote an article featuring this bird.

On the way home I observed two Trumpeter Swans on what appears to be a nest in Colvin Marsh and two green-tagged Trumpeter Swans at Muckrace.

A most enjoyable hike with two pleasant companions.