Jump to content

Made my day

Missdemeanor

Missdemeanor
in Waterfowl / Bird Game

 Share

Recommended Posts

Missdemeanor

Missdemeanor

Posted
Posted

  Yesterday I got some intelligence on a rare duck sighting at the port of Rochester....I packed my cold weather gear, camera and tripod. I worked the graveyard shift and went down to the pier. I walked out on the Charlotte side and was welcomed by large flocks of common, and red breasted Mergs inside the channel. The farther I got out on the pier, I saw huge flocks of Old squaws. On the Lake side there were big icebergs. I noticed something on one berg and it was a Snow Owl... Very cool.... The ice on the pier was extremely treacherous. It was over the railings, so if I fell down, more than likely I would end up in the frigid water. It took me about an hour to get to the end of the pier. Then it happened......

  As I got to the end, I looked up and saw a flock of birds flying right at the pier... they crossed in front at about 25 yards and I saw him!!!!  A mint Drake King Eider flying in a big flock of Old squaws.....he didn't have a big lobe, but he stood out like a sore thumb... So there I am, standing at the end of the pier with my jaw hitting the ice and My camera tucked inside My jacket...Freakin amature!!!!   The flock with the King flew north and set down on an open patch of water about 150-200 yards out... Too far to get a picture with my POS camera. I stood out there for about an hour hoping "Elvis" of the duck world would make another fly by....Nope. he was content on sitting out on the open patch. On the way back to the parking lot, I saw a big mature Bald eagle stalking a flock of Mergs. Awesome sight! I make my way back to the parking lot with a big sh#^ eating grin on my face....... Today was a Great day!!!!

post-139783-0-90879100-1421536871_thumb.jpg

post-139783-0-88388500-1421536904_thumb.jpg

JakeyBaby

JakeyBaby

Posted
Posted

Awsome sighting for sure! Congrats, would have made my day to, so jealous! I'm guessing that was the sighting you heard about the day before?

Missdemeanor

Missdemeanor

Posted
  • Author
Posted

 Yea.........my phone rang off the hook last night....it was a long night at work ....

 

When I got back to my truck there was a convoy of mini vans with Bird watchers going out to see if they could spot "Elvis"... Apparently the word has spread to the bird watching community...

  Lake O never ceases to amaze me with the diversity of fish and waterfowl. Seems like every time we get some weird weather patterns, there are some non-indigenous, or rare, birds that show up. A couple years ago, the morning after Hurricane Sandy hit, I had the best Brant shoot from the Lake O shoreline in 5-6 ft curlers. I haven't seen a Brant migration like that since that day. Hopefully this King will stick around and give a nice show.......

Xxx

Xxx

Posted
Posted

Last year we had a snow owl down here in PA. It sat on a tall not used telephone pole in the middle of a local farm field right outside of a busy little town, Broadheadsville. I got to see the bird up close, knowing the farmer. The owl made the paper and the local news. It is unusually cold this year again maybe he will return!! Anyway great story and determination to get a pic. Maybe next time.

flashpoint

flashpoint

Posted
Posted

A King on Lady O! Who would have thought! A true piece of nature at its best, as you said Matty...you just never know what your going to see out there!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...