Tim42
Monday 25th April 2005, 02:56
It was a little cold today but that didn't deter me from having a go at birding at two of my favorite places. I think I saw it all today! Most of my action was at Wilson Lake near Fort Bragg, NC. I was treated to a family of 6 Canada Geese, they included 4 very cute and fluffy goslings. A while later, I witnessed a duel between two male Canadians which lasted about four minutes and allowed me to get four action shots! I didn't think they fought like that. Just before the end of the fight, the dominant goose dragged the other into the deeper water and sat on him until fully submerged! The other goose popped up a few seconds later behind his successor and paddled off. Then I witnessed an up-close copulation between two White-throated Sparrows. The female sat on a branch and raised her tail and I thought she had to go #2. But a second later, her lover was on her back and the whole show was over in a couple of seconds! That was a first for me. Then I saw a couple of Spotted Sandpipers and got a couple of shots off before I lost them. Finally, I got a lifer, about 5 Northern Rough-winged Swallows! I couldn't have been more thrilled today! The thing is, I was about to leave the park just before the fight broke out, I don't know what made me stay until then but I'm glad I did! I posted one of the fight scenes, the others, plus the family shots I'll post later, so keep a look-out and Happy Birding! :flyaway: :loveme: