A Gallery of this Year’s “Firsts”
As I got out of my car two days ago I spotted my first Robin for the year. My camera was in the trunk so I quickly retrieved it and got a shot of this harbinger of spring – lucky for me it was thirsty and didn’t immediately fly away.
Yesterday I went to a pond in the north east part of the city that photographer friends had told me had a few varieties of birds. and there was no ice here.Here are some of my “firsts” for this year. I was happy to see this pair of Common Mergansers . I love how they move through the water with strength and grace.
Also I spotted a pair of Buffleheads but got no decent shots of them. I did,however, see a single Common Loon.
I enjoyed seeing the display of a pair of Red-Necked Grebes. I spotted six pair at this pond.
The one held this pose for some seconds then they mostly faced each other but a while later I caught the gesture of one with a mouthful of grass -an invitation to nest?
There was a pair of muskrats here, not at all shy. I noticed that when they would swim in close proximity to the geese, literally right in front of them, there was no reaction.
The muskrat, geese and gulls were all I could get close to. Although I found this very interesting, at least one other was bored by it all or lulled into sleepiness by the first warm day we have had.
My Heartsong 
I like the selection of critters you captured. I did not know that was a muskrat. I thought beaver.
April 27, 2013 at 6:42 pm
yes it does look similar. A muskrat is smaller although this one was a good size, and has a rat-like tail whereas a beaver tail is flat. I will post another photo so you can see it out of the water
April 28, 2013 at 3:42 pm
thanks.
April 28, 2013 at 3:44 pm
Wonderful shots, awesome blogger and photographer I have an award for you over at my place ENJOY!!!
April 28, 2013 at 8:55 am
Thank you , I will go to your blog by tonight.
April 28, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Not rush and thanks!
April 28, 2013 at 3:47 pm
I really liked the photo of that robin (glad he waited for you!), and the Red-Necked Grebes holding weeds in his beak. So they court that way?
April 30, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Yes, if I remember correctly, this gesture is part of the jcourtship ritual but will check that out on the net)
May 5, 2013 at 7:04 am
Outstanding photos, and I love the robin and his reflection!
May 21, 2013 at 7:08 am
Thanks, good to see you here again.
May 22, 2013 at 4:58 pm