The day after the “Blizzard of 2010″, I drove to Popham Beach in search of a snowy beach landscape. I made the first tracks, through drifts up to the grille of my Tucson, in the unplowed parking lot of the state park. The wind was still whipping snow and temperatures were in the upper teens.

Stairway to Popham Beach

As I walked the path 100 or so yards to the beach, I encountered drifts up to my thighs. When I arrived at the stairway that allows access to the beach, the stairs were blocked with snow drifts up to the hand rails. These stairs help protect the sand dunes and trying to go around was out of the question, and against the law.

Gulls were the only birds I could see, with most of them on the exposed sand bars between the shoreline and the distant Fox Islands. I was amazed how calm the surf was, being only a day after the huge storm passed out to sea.

The winds were still brutal, and I wanted to get some photos and get back to the warmth of my car. But I also wanted to enjoy the rare opportunity of being the only one there, because even on the coldest days, a few folks are usually on the beach for their morning walk.

After half an hour of snapping photos and enjoying the view, the cold winds began to penetrate my layers of clothing and I became chilled. It was time to head back to the comfort of my car. On the way back, I noticed a Bald Eagle perched on the top of a spruce tree on the far end of the parking lot. It watched as I entered my car, and then took off out over the dunes and out of sight. Perhaps the Eagle was looking for a place a little less exposed to the chilling winds just like I was.

Photos taken with a Canon 7D and a Canon “Nifty Fifty” 50mm lens. Simply click a thumbnail for a full-sized view. ©2010 John Briggs Photography

Happy New Year 2011!!

©2012 Birding in Maine. All Rights Reserved.

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Here in Maine, winter has had a grip since late fall with snow, bitter cold and wind. Migratory birds have long gone on their trek to warmer climes. During the snowstorm last Saturday, I noticed a very puffed up bird feeding on a distant suet feeder. I thought for sure it was a warbler, but with a driving snow it was hard to positively ID even through binoculars.

Fast forward to today.  Upon returning home after picking up this semester’s books in South Portland ($511.00 for books, unbelievable!), I noticed a puffed up bird on the feeders just outside our picture window. I grabbed my camera and went into our bedroom, lowered the upper part of the window, and took the photos below of a Yellow-rumped Warbler. I use the bedroom window as a sort of a blind when birds are at the feeders closest to our house.

Even now, as I write this post, the little fella is feeding at the wreath feeder in a lightly falling snow, puffed up to protect itself from the biting cold. The Warbler seems to prefer the peanut butter and seed pine cones. Once he has his fill, he flies into the Christmas tree that I put outside for the birds.

Enjoy these photo of our wayward Yellow-Rumped Warbler and a few photos of a Dark-eyed Junco. Clicking a thumbnail will open a larger sized view in a shadowbox.

Happy birding!

©2012 Birding in Maine. All Rights Reserved.

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