Partly sunny, brisk
breezes, 38 degrees
Ducks are definitely one of
the main players during this time of the birding year as many of the ducks from
the Arctic and sub-Arctic have come down to the “warm” climes of Southeastern
New York to spend the winter.
Indeed, some will continue their trek south down to truly warm
temperatures, but for many, as long as the water stays free from ice, they will
hang on here and conserve energy.
With a recent report of some
nice wintering waterfowl on nearby Crest View Lake in New Windsor, we make
the drive north to check on what’s to be seen. When we finally found the lake, it was in fact being used by
a good number of ducks. As is
generally the case, even though I parked far away and walked cautiously up the
edge of the lake, the birds spooked.
Those that had been in reasonable photo range were now all the way at
the other side of Crest View, and although easily seen and identified at 40X
through the spotting scope, the 12X delivered by my telephoto lens was really
no match. 
Still, there was one duck out
there I really wanted to photograph.
Not a lifer, not even a year-bird, but a bird not commonly seen on the ponds
around here. It was a Red-necked
grebe, a bird which breeds on inland lakes in Canada and Alaska and winters
along the coasts of North America.
Well, Crescent View Lake is not exactly the coast, so this was a good
find. Still, at this distance, it
would prove a challenge.
With the use of the tripod,
and a little help from Photoshop to sharpen the image up a bit, I was able to
get a good enough photo to be able to confirm the identification as the
Red-necked grebe. My birding
friend Jeff had the bird in close yesterday afternoon, but that was then and
this in now. So, as usual, we’ll
take what we get and be happy with that.
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