Winter Birds 2024

A variety of birds hang around the local creek in the Winter when the osprey aren't visiting.  We enjoy watching them and their variety of behaviors.  There has been a huge flock of geese.  I was surprised to see a pair of swans two days ago since I haven't seen any on the creek for several years.

Canada geese

Buffleheads

Trumpeter swan

Nest visitors 2021

I am wondering if these are the geese who lived on the osprey nest last year.  Probably not.   They looked quite cozy.  They were with a flock and didn’t stay.  Other geese have visited as well as eagles.  (The osprey arrive from the south around mid-March.)

We Want Your Osprey Nest Continued

CLICK HERE FOR Osprey Nest Takeover Video

In April our osprey nest was hijacked by a pair of geese. For a couple of days the osprey tried hard to reclaim his nest, but the brave geese wouldn't give up, and are now tending eggs or goslings (can't tell from the shore). We had not heard of this happening, but research tells us it does happen occasionally.

#OspreyNestTakeover #GooseOsprey #GooseOspreyWar #GooseInOspreyNest

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We Want Your Osprey Nest

 Osprey owners

 The Takeover

 Goose owners

Thurmont, MD and Cunningham Falls State Park May 2, 2019

Hunting Creek Lake, a 43 acre man-made lake in Cunningham Falls State Park

Goose family on the beach

 Cunningham Falls, 78 feet, the highest waterfall in Maryland

Park with a Dam in Thurmont

 Town of Thurmont

Goslings

I captured a family of geese enjoying our lawn.  Kinda cute.  The pink bushes are weigela.

Swans in Pennsylvania

We drove by a beautiful lake near sunset and saw some lovely swans and geese.

     Swan Lake

     Dogwood with swans

      Geese and goslings

Goose on the Loose

A wild goose wandered into our driveway and gardens and stood within 5 feet of Jim.  It investigated our sundial and took a shower while Jim watered the new grass seedlings.  Most of these are grooming photos after taking the shower.  Amazing and amusing interactions!  The goose shower is posted on youtube at http://youtu.be/bydEHmN5_3A

Fall color in Fredericksburg VA

We spent Sunday in Fredericksburg, hoping to see a few leaves left on the trees after all the recent wind and rain.  In between the nice light for pictures, we went Christmas shopping midday. Here are some highlights of our day.

A lovely tree in the little beach park near the Harry Nice Memorial Bridge.

A little park behind the Wawa at the Central Park mall.  A picturesque oasis.

Canada goose snacking.

Reflection and pier near the Chancellorsville Battlefield.