August 30, 2007: Flights- Killeen, TX - Atlanta, Buffalo

Today's Flight Aware Maps for the flights I was on: Killeen - Atlanta, Atlanta - Buffalo

August 27, 2007: Flights - Buffalo - Atlanta - Killeen, TX

Today's flight paths on Flight Aware (Buffalo-Atlanta .. Atlanta to Killeen is missing)

August 26, 2007: Rock Point, Ontario Shorebird Watching and Long Point, Ontario (11 PHOTOS, 9 BIRD)

Today, we participated in the Buffalo Ornithological Society's fall Lake Erie Shorebird Field Trip, back at Rock Point Provincial Park, near Dunnville, Ontario. (See August 12, 2007 post). We again got some nice photos here, and it was nice to talk to other birds to help us with our piper ID skills! We also made a brief stop at the Long Point, Ontario area afterwards. We also noted the large windfarm between Long Point and Port Burwell. (info here)

Semipalmated Plover
Ruddy Turnstone
Semipalmated Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Semipalmated Plover

Least Sandpiper?

Caspian Tern flyover

Long Point photos:

Magnolia Warbler

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (there were many here!)

I like this shot of a Monarch Butterfly, also migrating

The Erie Shores wind project, near Port Burwell

INTERACTIVE MAP OF TODAYS LOCATIONS

August 18, 2007: Alexandria Bay and the St. Lawrence River, NY (4 PHOTOS)

A few photos today from a boat ride on the St. Lawrence River, near Alexandria Bay, NY. This is in the beautiful 1,000 Islands Region. We came to see the new statue in honor of the river's namesake: Saint Lawrence (article here). This is located on the north side of the river in Ganonoque, Ontario...

A church along the river in Rockport, Ontario
The St. Lawrence Statue

A closeup of the plaque

A view of the 1,000 Islands Bridge, linking Interstate 81 in New York to Highway 401 in Ontario.

See July 12 post for Alexandria Bay map and location.

August 13, 2007: Woodlawn Beach State Park - Hamburg, New York (6 PHOTOS, 5 BIRD)

Today I have a few photos taken from Woodlawn Beach State Park, in Hamburg, New York (just south of Buffalo, along Lake Erie)

The new windfarm on the old Bethlehem Steel site
Flyover Turkey Vulture

Bonaparte's Gull (above and below)

Flying winter plumage Bonaparte's Gull

Winter Bonaparte's Gull

WOODLAWN BEACH LOCATION (CLICK FOR INTERACTIVE MAP):

August 12, 2007: Rock Point, Ontario Sandpiper Watching, Beaver Island State Park, NY (28 PHOTOS, 25 BIRD)

Today we went to Rock Point Provincial Park on Ontario's Lake Erie shoreline. The main reason for this was look for shorebirds migrating south for the winter. The beach here is also a very interesting place to visit. This trip was pretty productive. After this we found some productive ponds on the side of nearby Rymer Road, for a few more photos. Then, we crossed the border to Beaver Island State Park, in Grand Island, NY, where we got a few more bird photos before sunset!

A view of the beach on Rock Point
Spotted Sandpiper

Least Sandpipers

Least Sandpiper (downcurve to the bill)

Lesser Yellowlegs

Shells on the beach

Semipalmated Plover and Killdeer

Left to Right: White-Rumped Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Flying peeps

A closeup of various fossils in the rocks here

Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers

Least and Semipalmated with one Dunlin on the right

White-Rumped Sandpiper (bulkier) with Semipalmated Sandpiper

Another White-Rumped Sandpiper (or Dunlin?) with a Semipalmated?

Least Sandpiper (above and below)

Semipalmated Plover

Spotted Sandpiper winter plumage

Wetlands near Rock Point (Rymer Road):

Black-Crowned Night Heron

Green Heron

Double-Crested Cormorant

Beaver Island State Park beach (Grand Island, NY):

Common Terns

Common Tern (above and below)

Lesser Yellowlegs

Common Tern

Caspian Tern

LOCATION OF SITES MENTIONED (INTERACTIVE):