View from WeatherCam on 3-22-09 at 12:30 p.m. looking east toward Arrosic Island and Hells Gate on the Kennebec River. | Click for larger view
On a receding tide this morning, the ice was finally pulled out of the cove and into the Kennebec River for its journey out to sea. A few “iceberglets” are still floating around and are getting grounded on the mud flats as the tide continues to recede.
Quite a bit of ice still continues down the Kennebec and may push back into our cove on the next several high tide cycles. But the majority of the ice that has plagued our cove since November is gone.
The image on above is from my weather cam. The specks in the water on the lower left side of the image are Canada Geese. You can even see some lingering damage from a snowstorm in the tree. (I have to get up there and get that limb cut off.)
I have posted my weather cam image on my “About” page. It normally updates every 4 minutes. Just refresh the page. At night, all you will see is darkness. The view faces east and you may see some beautiful sunrises. And when the sun is behind the cam, you may see birds in the feeder. The image on the left will not update, it’s just a capture.
Now that most of the ice has moved out, the ducks and geese are moving in closer. As I finish out this post (3:00 p.m.), over 100 ducks and geese are waddling on the mudflats just 20 yards off shore. BUT…. the snow is flying once again as a cold front moves through bringing with it intense snowsqualls. Tomorrow’s highs are to be only in the 20′s. At least the ice is out!
I ventured down the yard Saturday afternoon and prepared a site for my blind just above the high tide line. Situated among the reeds and sumac, it should be an excellent place to photograph ducks, geese, shorebirds, Egrets and Herons.
I am posting a few images from yesterday that I took while I was preparing my site. The Eagle photos are not the best as they were flying very high. A total of 6 Bald Eagles (2 adult, 4 immature) flew around the marsh and cove scattering ducks as they did so. The adult pair continues nest building activity on Arrowsic Island. Click thumbnails for larger view.
Northern Pintail Ducks (2 male and a female) coming in for a landing yesterday afternoon.
Northern Pintail Ducks
Canada Geese on the ice Saturday afternoon.
Canada Geese
A pair of adult Bald eagles flying high in the sky.
Adult Bald Eagles
Immature Bald Eagle coasting over the cove.
Immature Bald Eagle
Happy birding!
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{ 7 comments }
John, I am so looking forward to the photos you are going to be able to get with that blind. Between that and the water right in your back yard you are going to get some incredible photos!!
Thanks for the info on your weather cam. I am going to have to check this out!
Wow, John! I thought our weather was still chilly here in Erie. We’re tropical compared to you:) Super shots as usual. I really like the pintails flying in. I’ve seen a few here at Presque Isle; a very pretty bird.
Wow..what a view..can you see that from your home? If we ever settle down I want that view…
Glad the ice is out and the birds are returning. Cant wait to hear about your Blind adventures!
I love the photo of the Northern Pintail Ducks flying. I didn’t even know they had that pretty green bar on their wings. I’m really enjoying your blog.
Yay. No more ice. It looks like you have a pretty nice feeder set up there. Do you have to worry about bears?
Glad to see you have ice out. I do a lot of kayaking on the Androscoggin River in Greene so I can’t wait till the ice is out on that so I can get the boat wet, it usually happens in April.
Wonderful shots. Anymore we see eagles pretty much wherever we go along the river, in snags, by the lakes. It’s magnificent. Thanks.
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