One of the things that I instantly fell in love with when I saw my neighborhood for the first time was the creek that runs along the road. It was in the summer, so the water flowed very peacefully. Little did I know that I would eventually become a birder and the creek would become my favorite birding patch.
Some of the regular visitors to the creek are very chatty Kingfishers.
Belted Kingfisher
And Green Herons, who I typically see flying away before I even spot them. Sometimes, they stay put.
Green Heron in breeding plumage
Green Heron, digiscoped with my Nikon EDG and Canon 7D
Great Blue Herons have been spotted a few times, even though the fish are pretty small.
Great Blue Heron
I often get waterfowl, mainly Canada Geese, Mallards and Common Mergansers.
Male and Female Common Mergansers
Two female Common Mergansers
… who also brought their families along.
Common Merganser Family
Canada Goose Family
I have some one-time visitors that are worth mentioning such as Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers.
Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers
As well as one lone Double-crested Cormorant.
Double-crested Cormorant
Some other nice surprises included a Veery, a very vocal Towhee and Great Crested Flycatchers.
Great Crested Flycatcher
I also often get Warblers, mostly during migration. However, the Yellow Warblers and Common Yellowthroats sing throughout the summer.
The best life bird I had at the creek was such a huge surprise. Before I was a birder, I adored the beauty of Cedar Waxwings. You can imagine how excited I was when I found them hawking insects at my creek. Now I get to see them all the time!
Cedar Waxwing
They would perch on the rocks and on the fallen branches that were scattered throughout. They always seemed to return to the same perches making photos pretty easy.
Cedar Waxwings
At one point, a bit of flooding washed away the branches, so I replaced one in their favorite spot. Not a minute later, I had a taker.
Cedar Waxwing
This past summer I found a Louisiana Waterthrush fledgling.
Louisiana Waterthrush Fledgling
And then Mom showed up, gathering some grub. These birds were very reliable for about two weeks and very easy to spot as they pumped their butts up and down while foraging for food.
Louisiana Waterthrush
The creek gave me my first close up with Turkey Vultures, a bird who is normally seen soaring the skies. They didn’t mind my presence as long as they had their food. They were munching on the bones of a raccoon that is hidden behind a rock. The smell was awful, but the photos were well worth it!
Turkey Vultures
And of course, it is a creek, so birds will find shallow places to bathe…
Bathing Grackles
Bathing Robin and Catbird
… and sun bathe!
Sun Bathing Kingfisher and Catbird
It’s not just the birds that I enjoy here – there are also mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects!
This summer, a pair of Beavers were spotted, but did not stick around. They had many small trees that they chomped down, but perhaps the creek was too much for them to dam up.
Beavers Pair
I often see deer crossing the water.
White-tailed Deer
Deer Couple
Along with many frogs and snakes that I find if I look close enough in the water.
Snake in the Creek
Frogs in the water
The frogs also find their way on the rocks by the dozen. I have to really watch my step sometimes because they are everywhere.
And, of course, the outdoor and feral cats that rule the neighborhood have to cross over at some point.
Domestic Cat
All of this is seen within a quarter mile walk along (and through) the water. I really love this creek. Even on days that there are no birds or other animals, there is always something to enjoy.
Autumn at the Creek