Trips

Puddle Birding

July 7, 2014 by Corey No Comments

A few weeks ago I shared some images of a Boat-tailed Grackle getting fed by its mother and I promised additional shots of the grackles in a mud puddle in the near future. I had completely forgotten making that promise until I was back at Rockaway Community Park again yesterday morning parked next to the exact same puddle, waiting once again for birds to avail themselves of the fresh water in the puddle on what was turning into a rather hot day. The good news is that my forgetfulness means that this post will be about more than just Boat-tailed Grackles. Instead, it will be chock full of bird images all digiscoped at the same mud puddle over the course of a couple of visits. Remember to stake out your favorite mud puddles, especially during hot weather, so you can let the birds come to you and check out their behaviors from relatively close range.

Gray Catbird about to bathe

This Gray Catbird was very hesitant about getting immersed in the puddle. It reminded me of a male swimmer afraid of soaking the family jewels.

Boat-tailed Grackles

The same female Boat-tailed Grackle that so carefully fed her fledgling fiercely defended her turf from this male. (Click for a bigger version.)

American Robin fledgling picking up a rock

I have no idea why this fledgling American Robin decided to pick up a rock. Teenage rebellion?

Boat-tailed Grackle showing off its nictating membrane

Check out that nictating membrane on this male Boat-tailed Grackle!

Red-winged Blackbird with moth

This female Red-winged Blackbird spent quite some time washing this moth, which I assume was meant for a fledgling.

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Written by Corey
Corey is a New Yorker who lived most of his life in upstate New York but has lived in Queens since 2008. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative or spending time with his family. He lives in Forest Hills with Daisy and Desmond Shearwater. His bird photographs have appeared on the Today Show, in Birding, Living Bird Magazine, Bird Watcher's Digest, and many other fine publications. He is also the author of the American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of New York.