close encounters of the bird kind

We were out on a birding trip and I spotted this bird flying. I called out to the group leader, "Jim, Black Vulture overhead!" He made the call of a rabbit in distress and the bird landed right in front of us. I thought this guy was the Beastmaster or something. Jim then explained that it was a human imprinted bird from the local wildlife rehabilitation center. While he has learned to find food and survive in the wild he still visits humans occasionally.

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware

One of my favorite places to visit is Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna, Delaware. I have visited there a few times now and always see something new. The spring brings with it the mating season for Red-Fox and many species of birds.

Just south of the refuge is Port Mahon Road which hosts one of the many beaches where the Horseshoe Crab lays its eggs. The eggs are the main food source for shorebirds migrating from the Artic to their South American wintering grounds. Many species of shorebirds including the endangered Red-Knot are drawn to this place as a essential pit stop to refuel on their long, long journey.

If you see the crabs flipped over. Don't be scared to give them a hand. They do not sting and you just grab them on the left and right side of their shell and flip. You will be helping preserve a species. The Red-Knots will thank you.

Massive amounts of Snow Geese winter over here along with Tundra Swan, Northern Pintail and many other kinds of waterfowl. If you have never witnessed the flight of 100,000 or more geese flying at sunset or sunrise it is truly a spectacle to behold.

This refuge is truly diverse in the species seen here. I am hoping to return soon and photograph the Northern Harriers and Owls along with the spring fox. I will keep trying and one day luck will be on my side. If only I could live here...