Thousands of Sandhill Cranes and a handful of Whooping Cranes have arrived at Wheeler, and are easily seen from the Visitors Center Observation Building. I have been over several times to attempt photos, but shooting in a dimly lit building through tinted windows doesn't do my camera or photography skills any justice. So here's the best I can give you:
Whooping Cranes with Sandhills
Besides the Cranes, many other birds have been arriving in northern Alabama. I was fortunate enough to find a Black-legged Kittiwake over at Wilson Dam in November, bringing my year list to 296. Only four away from my goal.
I moved south of Huntsville, to the Morgan City area. This puts me directly between Guntersville Lake and Wheeler NWR. However, I haven't made a trip to Wheeler in a couple of weeks now. Guntersville Lake is quickly becoming my favorite waterfowl birding spot. I've seen just about everything there so far this fall. Dozens of Common Loons, Red-breasted Mergansers, Gulls galore, Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, Redheads, and lots of Canvasbacks (among others). The causeway along Route 69 is my favorite place to pull over and get photos... though with the cars whipping by, it doesn't exactly feel safe.
Common Loon
Ring-billed Gull
Red-breasted Merganser
My new home sits atop Brindlee Mountain. My four and a half acres is surrounded by mountain woods... which so far, has made for some excellent birding. In my first week of birding here, I have seen 44 species. Unfortunately, my yard is full of holes, which has contributed to two falls while out shooting photos. Now, the calibration of my lens is off, which means no great photos to contribute to the blog until I upgrade my glass in February. Until then, you will just have to suffer through sub par photos like I do! Ha.
My second night at the house, we had an unexpected visitor somehow make it into the mudroom/laundry area. I snapped off a few shots before opening the door to let him out. He hangs around the porches at night, but hasn't come back in... yet.
Eastern Phoebe
Another busy night ahead of me... so will keep this post short. Hopefully I will be heading north in the next month to see a Snowy Owl. Stay tuned!
Until next time...
Happy birding to all of you!
