Having a day off from my usual House Elf servitude I pondered over
popping down over the State Line into Delaware and visiting Bombay Hook
National Wildlife Refuge. Weather was forecast to be partly cloudy with severe
thunderstorms in the afternoon. Partly cloudy is always good because it
diffuses the harsh late morning light. What the hell, I was itching to try out
my new 800mm toy so 5:30am off I set for the 2 and 1/2 hour drive down to
Delaware. I got there just after 8 and popped in to the visitor center to pay
my entrance fee and as I'm coming again at least once more I paid the $12 for a
season pass. I asked the Ranger what the flies situation was like. He thought
for a moment and said they were somewhere between terrible and diabolical.
Great. Normally the raised embankments that you drive around are pretty fly
free. Not today. I sprayed myself with Deepwoods Off but had to put a long
sleeved shirt on anyway. Nasty little green bastards. I had one draining the
lifeblood out of my index finger and flicked my hand, still there sucking
away, I flicked harder, the little shit was still sucking away at the O
positive. I had to put my camera down and flick it off with my other hand.
Nasty little bastards. A nice selection of birds on the pools, I stayed well
clear of the boardwalks through the reeds and bushes because that's where the
flies gang up on you. I wanted a shot of Marsh Wren and Seaside Sparrow but
not this time. I love Black Skimmers and took several hundred shots as one
individual went back and forth right in front of me. Here's a shit load of pictures
from today.
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| Bald Eagle |
|
| Black Skimmer |
|
| Black Skimmer |
|
| Black Skimmer |
|
| Black Skimmer |
|
| Black Skimmer |
|
| Black Skimmer |
|
| Black Skimmer |
|
| Black Skimmer |
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| Black Skimmer |
|
| Black Skimmer |
|
| Black-necked Stilt |
|
| Black-necked Stilt |
|
| Eastern Kingbird |
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| Great Blue Heron |
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| Great Blue Heron |
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| Great Egret |
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| Great Egret |
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| Great Egret |
|
|
Red-winged Blackbird
|
 |
| Red-winged Blackbird |
When the flies had drained too much of my life blood I left and went a few miles South to Port Mahon. I was hoping for a few waders but only saw one Willet flying off. The Ospreys kept me entertained though and best of all in the ever stiffening breeze on the Bay......no flies.
 |
| Osprey |
 |
| Osprey |
 |
| Osprey |
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