Clangula hyemalis
Barnegat Island, NJ

Even though the temperature was a balmy 48 degrees when we left the car, it felt much, much colder in the high winds at the end of the Barnegat Jetty. For about an hour there were flocks of Long-tailed Ducks, Harlequin Ducks, Suft Scoters, and Red-tailed Loons to keep us occupied. Our good luck faded quickly when a large fishing boat passed through the channel. It is funny how much colder it feels when there are no birds around. :)

Northern Harrier
Circus cyaneus
Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, NJ

Snow Geese
Chen caerulescens
Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, NJ

With the temperature near 50 and the light winds it felt more like a nice day in early April rather that late January!

Setophaga coronata
Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, NJ

Barnegat Lighthouse, NJ

The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Line_(New_York_City)" rel="nofollow">High Line</a> is an elevated park above the lower west side of Manhattan. If you have not been there, you should, as it is an amazing mix of gardens, art and people. Plus, it is a great place to photograph. This photo was taken on the recently opened section.

I watched these guys for an hour pick up these mollusk-like creatures and repeatedly drop them fifty feet onto the road in the hopes of cracking the shells.

Kay Environmental Center, Chester, NJ

St. Brides, Newfoundland

Blue Ridge Parkway

North Carolina

Samantha is our 16 year old cat who thinks she is a dog. :)

The Great Swamp, NJ

I purchased this plant specifically so I could photograph these unusual flowers. And, it is a good thing I photographed this earlier in the season because the plant is not doing as well after all these hot days.

Taken at the Bandshell just north of "The Mall".

Every now and then, when I am feeling low on creativity, I like to head to the middle of Central Park, ramble through the Ramble", and work my way back slowly on foot to Penn Station. Hey, it's New York, so you don't have to wait that long to find something interesting. :)

This song sparrow was, per its name, singing.

From All About Birds:
"Open cup with high walls, made of spider webbing or caterpillar silk, covered with lichens or bark flakes. Lined with grass stems, bark strips, plant down, hair, feathers, or other fine fibers. Placed far out from trunk on tree limbs."

Polioptila caerulea
Great Swamp, NJ

This young fellow was hanging out at the end of Pleasant Plains Road near the pond. It was quite a tease, staying in the thick branches at very end of useful range and light.

Seiurus noveboracensis
Great Swamp, NJ