Ogeechee Audubon is fortunate to have a member who is a very fine photographer of birds and butterflies and Nature. Here is a sample of his fine work, with new photos. Enjoy!
NOTE: All photographs on this page are by Fitz Clark.
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Horned Grebe, Podiceps (auritus)
This Grebe species, specifically four, Horned Grebe, Podiceps (auritus) continue to forage the area in and around the Landings Marina, Skidaway Island, Savannah, Chatham Co, Ga. The marina is on the north end of the island and tangent to the Wilmington River. It is app 4-5 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean.
In the Skidaway Island, "A Checklist of Birds" it is listed in the winter months only, as "Fairly Common." (Present and should be seen in proper season and habitat). Well this is my first time ever being close and personal to the species and I am excited, thus this sharing with you.In the Skidaway Island, "A Checklist of Birds" it is listed in the winter months only, as "Fairly Common." (Present and should be seen in proper season and habitat). Well this is my first time ever being close and personal to the species and I am excited, thus this sharing with you.
In the Skidaway Island, "A Checklist of Birds" it is listed in the winter months only, as "Fairly Common." (Present and should be seen in proper season and habitat). Well this is my first time ever being close and personal to the species and I am excited, thus this sharing with you.
"The Sibley Field Guide to Birds" by David Allen Sibley reflects it is 14" long with a wingspan of 18" and weighs 1 pound. It is... "common in the winter on the Atlantic coast; uncommon to rare inland and in Gulf of Mexico."
Hope you enjoy, especially image # 2
Fitz Clarke
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| Horned Grebe on Skidaway |
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| And It's Off! |
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| So peaceful |
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| Beautiful Horned Grebe |
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Hi all- thought I would share with you some additional digital images I have acquired here on Skidaway Island, Savannah, Chatham Co, Ga. of this female, Northern Shoveler duck, 26 Oct-1 November. The species, on our inner Georgia barrier island, is listed as an "Irregular" (seen only occasionally) .It currently is plentiful at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, some 15-20 miles inland, Jasper County, S.C. ( old rice fields).
This duck has been hanging out with five "Pied-billed Grebes" in what I would describe as a "commensal association", with the female Shoveler being the " beater" and the Grebes being the "Attendants", glomming onto to whatever is being flushed from the aquatic vegetation. The six have been hanging out between lagoon # 13 ( tangent to the Marshwood driving range ) and lagoon # 15 ( long lagoon from across from the Dog Park to the driving Range.( both brackish lagoons)
Check out photo # 8, which I caught as she turned sideways to scratch under her chin. You will observe a comblike edge of the bill which serves as a filtration system, straining the aquatic vegetation for plankton; snails, clams, aquatic insects, etc. The length of this large "quacker" is longer than the head, a pretty neat bill, which is grayish on top, tinged with orange on cutting edge and orange below.
Regards,
Fitz
Email fitzclarke@bellsouth.net
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| Female Northern Shoveler |
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| Female Northern Shoveler |
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| Female Northern Shoveler |
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| Female Northern Shoveler |
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