Sunday Shots, 07/21/19

I got out early both days of this weekend; with the hot weather we’ve been having, it was the only time to do any sort of comfortable birding. It was mostly more of the usuals – it’s that time of year. The most notable siting I had was nearly 100 Great Blue Herons at a single pool at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. There is also a good number of Great Egrets at the refuge these days. Returning shorebirds have been sparse thus far in OC but I finally had some at the refuge on Saturday morning; but just Least Sandpipers, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpipers, and a single Lesser Yellowlegs. Let’s hope that it’s the start of a good fall shorebird migration in our area.

~Common Yellowthroat at Stewart Forest – Ridge Road, 07/21/19.~
~A recently fledged Cedar Waxwing at Glenmere Lake, 07/21/19.~
~American Goldfinch at Black Rock Forest, 07/14/19.~ ~
~17 of the nearly 100 Great Blue Herons in one pool at Wallkill River NWR, 07/20/19.~
~Giant Swallowtail at Wallkill River NWR 07/20/19. Thanks to Linda Scrima for the ID help.
~Tiger Swallowtail at Wallkill River NWR, 07/20/19.~
~I have this as a large Painted Turtle. Silver Mine Lake, 07/19/19.~ UPDATE: this is a Red-eared Slider, thanks to Michael Mallon for the ID help (see comments).~

6 thoughts on “Sunday Shots, 07/21/19”

  1. Such lovely photos; I might paint one or two. As a non-birder, I wouldn’t have recognized the Cedar Waxwing, as I would have been looking for the fluff on the head! Thanks for including non-avian friends. I looked at pictures of swallow tail butterflies and swallow tail birds to see the relationship.
    When I lived in England, we often had birds smashing into our picture windows. I thought they were just being bird-brained, but when I think of that now, they could have been intoxicated since we had a varieties of berries in our garden.

    1. I hope you do paint them Norma, that would please me for sure. The tiny yellow tail tip gave the Cedar Waxwing away to me. Always good to hear from you. Matt

  2. Matt – I enjoy your photos and observations so much. Thank you for your generosity in sharing them. The number of Great Blue Herons in one spot is amazing – is it because of the hot dry weather or is this normal in the summer at this location? I appreciate the picture of the fledgling Cedar Waxwing – they hold a special place in my heart because I was introduced to them years ago while camping in the Adirondacks and they always brighten my heart when I see them. I’ve never seen a young fledgling. Be well and stay cool.

    Mary

    1. Mary – I believe we see large numbers of Great Blue Herons this time of year because this year’s young birds have fledged and are out and about. It was my first time seeing such a young Cedar Waxwing – to me it’s an interesting blend of cute and maybe not so cute. Thanks for checking in. Matt

  3. Matt – the turtle is a red-eared slider, not native to this area (from the southeast and midwest) but now common in the park. They are often sold in pet stores and later released by their owners. They are now breeding in this area. Not really an invasive species, but they’ve expanded their range with a little help from people.
    Mike

    1. Michael – thanks so much for the ID help; it’s the first time I’ve seen one. And that explains why when I Googled NYS turtles I didn’t get a good match. Matt

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