NEW YORK TRIP REPORT
August 7 to August 9, 2006
Text and images copyright Heather Forcier, all rights reserved

Growing up in Vermont, "New York" has always meant upstate New York to me. However, many birders and nature photographers know what Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, just outside of New York City, has to offer.

Lesser Yellowlegs

With planes roaring overhead from nearby JFK airport and the seemingly constant sound of a passing train, it seems an unlikely haven for migrating birds. However, during my visit there were plenty of birds present, even if somewhat skittish and difficult to photograph.

Here Kevin Karlson is photographing prone in the mud, surrounded by feathers from the multitude of birds at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

Kevin co-authored the new book, The Shorebird Guide. Packed with fantastic information and superb photographs, this is a must-have guide for shorebirds. (Click on the book cover to find out more about the book at Amazon.com.)

The best vantage point for this type of bird photography is to get at ground level and use a slow approach. Most of the time I used the popular NatureScapes.Net Skimmer ground pod and Orvis chest waders to shoot at the waterline in the thick mud. Here I decided the best spot was in the water so I photographed off the tripod. While the birds initially flushed upon my arrival, they eventually returned in good numbers.

Photo courtesy of Scott Elowitz.

Short-billed Dowitcher in flight

As always, it is fun to be in the company of other photographers - those people who understand why you actually enjoy getting up early in the morning to haul heavy gear around while wearing chest waders. I enjoyed photographing with Scott, Kevin, Lloyd, Don, George, Claudio, and Rich. My thanks to Don and the American Littoral Society for their hospitality!

Glossy Ibis

The birds present during my short visit included Common and Forester's Terns, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Black-bellied Plovers, Short and Long-billed Dowitchers, Mute Swans, Canada Geese, Glossy Ibis, Semipalmated Plovers, Semipalmated Sandpipers, and a few more that I'll figure out by referring to my new Shorebird Guide.

Juvenile Common Tern in flight

One morning I spent on the shore photographing near a Black Skimmer colony and was able to capture some different terns in flight, as well as Black Skimmers.
Black Skimmer chase!

Although a relatively short visit, it was productive for photography, and anyway, any day in the field is a good one!
Adult Common Tern with fish

 

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