On the Wing #49: Winter Birds
Given that it's been chilly these past few days, I wasn't expecting to see any waterfowl or larger birds at Great Meadows in Concord. I arrived around noon and looked over the frozen, cattail-rimmed marsh beyond and missed the clamor of the geese and ducks that had occupied it only a few months earlier. I distinctly remembered seeing American Coots ( Fulica americana ) and a radio tagged Northern Harrier ( Circus cyaneus ) last January, but today would be just as much of a joy when it comes to finding birds. Here are some of the many, many pictures I took while freezing my nips off. "Can you see me?" Named redpoll for the small red cap found on both sexes. Males have a reddish wash on their breast. "I see you." Two's Company A frozen waste surrounded by cattails Canine tracks of sorts. Perhaps fox or coyote? The coldest lodging in all the land at the moment Some Giant Canada Geese ( Br...