Wildlife

Jamaica Bay Late February

Sherry Felix6 Comments

First we did a walk with Don Riepe at Jamaica Bay in New York City. There are two immature snow geese. Can you spot them?

After that we drove to Sunset Cove and Floyd Bennett Field.

A group of snow geese feeding on a frozen lake, with tall grass in the background and a few ducks resting nearby.
Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens), Jamaica Bay 2/28/2026
Close-up of dried seed pods attached to a twig, showcasing a mix of brown and black colors against a blurred natural background.
Yucca seed pods, Jamaica Bay 2/28/2026
A view of a city skyline through barren trees and brush, showcasing tall buildings in the background, with a clear blue sky.
Manhattan skyline from Jamaica Bay 2/28/2026
A bare tree stands beside a calm pond, reflecting its branches on the water's surface, set against a clear blue sky and distant fence in a snowy landscape.
Sunset Cove 2/28/2026
A serene water landscape featuring the reflection of wooden poles in calm water, with a distant urban skyline under a clear blue sky.
Sunset Cove 2/28/2026
A grebe swimming on a calm, blue body of water.
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus), Floyd Bennett Field 2/28/2026

NYBG January Scenes

Sherry Felix11 Comments

Members day at the Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. Edited in Lightroom and Photoshop.

Reflection of trees and colorful foliage in a shallow pond with some algae on the surface.
NYBG 1/9/2026
Close-up of a weathered tree stump surrounded by sparse vegetation, showcasing its textured bark and intricate details in natural light.
NYBG 1/9/2026
Two large, moss-covered rocks on dry grass, with colorful abstract light reflections in the background.
NYBG 1/9/2026
A natural landscape featuring tall grasses and dried vegetation under a clear sky.
NYBG 1/9/2026
Song Sparrow walking through dry grass and fallen leaves.
Song Sparrow,
NYBG 1/9/2026
A rocky landscape featuring large gray boulders surrounded by patches of purple heather and green shrubs, set against a moody sky.
NYBG 1/9/2026
Close-up of dried hydrangea flowers with a warm orange hue against a background of bare stems.
NYBG 1/9/2026
Close-up of dried, brown plant pods against a blurred background, highlighting their textured surfaces and delicate shapes.
NYBG 1/9/2026
A close-up of dried hydrangea flowers, showcasing their intricate brown petals and natural textures.
NYBG 1/9/2026
Dried flowers in the foreground with a blurred glass dome structure in the background on a cloudy day.
NYBG 1/9/2026

Socrates Park Birds

Sherry Felix2 Comments

I was surprised to find a wren and some winter ducks in the little Socrates Sculpture Park.

A wren partially hidden among branches and dry leaves.
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus), Socrates Sculpture Park 1/6/2026
A group of winter ducks swimming in a body of water, with a few ducks facing different directions among gentle waves.
Gadwall (Anas strepera), Socrates Sculpture Park 1/6/2026
A close-up of a duck swimming in clear turquoise water, featuring a distinctive black and white plumage with a vibrant orange beak.
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser), Socrates Sculpture Park 1/6/2026

Greenwich Vilage in the Snow

Sherry Felix12 Comments

I managed to catch this white-throated sparrow in flight.

After visiting Hudson River Park we walked to Abingdon Square. There are tiny lights in the tree there. I added falling snow to that background.

Happy New Year everyone.

A small bird with a yellow crown flying among bare branches with snowflakes falling in the background.
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis), Snow in Hudson River Park 12/27/2025
A snow-covered bush with bare branches surrounded by a snowy landscape in black and white.
Snow in Hudson River Park 12/27/2025
Close-up of snow-covered pine tree branches, highlighting the snowy texture against a muted background.
Snow in Hudson River Park 12/27/2025
A snow-covered evergreen tree stands in a park surrounded by bare trees and residential buildings, with a snowy ground and soft falling snow creating a winter wonderland atmosphere.
Snow at Abingdon Sqare 12/27/2025

Central Park Reservoir Birds

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After visiting the Ramble we stopped by the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir – Wikipedia in Central Park. I wanted to see what winter ducks were there. We didn’t stay long. Here’s a link to a Birding Guide | Central Park Conservancy

A duck resting on the water's surface, with its back to the viewer, showcasing its distinctive plumage and the surrounding rippling water.
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus), Central Park 12/18/2025
A group of winter ducks swimming in the blue waters of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central Park.
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata), Central Park 12/18/2025
A female common merganser swimming in the blue water of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, showcasing its distinctive tufted brown head and gray body.
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator), Central Park 12/18/2025

Central Park Wren

Sherry Felix7 Comments

Carolina wrens – Wikipedia (see habitat en disgtribution section) have been slowly moving north. Years ago I rarely saw one. Now they are common. I love their cheerful “teakettle” song: Carolina Wren Song. In the last photograph the wren’s nictitating membrane – Wikipedia is visible.

A Carolina wren perched among twigs and dried leaves, showcasing its brown plumage and distinctive tail.
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus), Central Park 12/18/2025
A Carolina wren perches on a branch, showcasing its distinctive brown plumage and cheerful demeanor.
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus), Central Park 12/18/2025
A Carolina wren perched on a branch, showing its distinctive brown plumage and small size.
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus), Central Park 12/18/2025

Central Park Birds of Winter

Sherry Felix7 Comments

The ball of feathers in the first photograph is a great blue heron. I edited the backgrounds in the last three.

A great blue heron standing on a rock near the water's edge, surrounded by bare branches and shrubs.
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), Central Park 12/18/2025
A close-up of a small bird perched among branches, with a blurred background showing natural foliage.
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis), Central Park 12/18/2025
A dark-colored bird standing on the snow-covered ground among dried leaves.
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), Central Park 12/18/2025
A close-up of a small bird perched on a branch, featuring a reddish-brown plumage and a slightly blurred blue background.
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), Central Park 12/18/2025
A bird with reddish plumage perched on a tree trunk, with its wings slightly spread.
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), Central Park 12/18/2025
Close-up of a bird perched on a branch with a blurred background. The bird has a round body and a subtle color palette.
Central Park 12/18/2025
A hawk perched on a branch against a bright blue sky, surrounded by bare tree branches.
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii), Central Park 12/18/2025

Pelham Buffle and Tufty

Sherry Felix11 Comments

I saw other winter birds at Pelham Bay Park : NYC Parks besides these two that I did not photograph.

A male Bufflehead duck swimming on calm water, showcasing its distinctive black and white plumage and unique round head.
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola), Pelham Bay Park 12/10/2025
Three ducks swimming on a calm water surface, with tall grass in the background.
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola), Pelham Bay Park 12/10/2025
A small gray bird perched on a stick near water, surrounded by dried leaves.
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), Pelham Bay Park 12/10/2025
A close-up of a small bird perched on a stick, partially submerged in water with dark, reflective surface and scattered leaves.
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), Pelham Bay Park 12/10/2025
A bird standing on a branch near still water, surrounded by fallen leaves and reeds.
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), Pelham Bay Park 12/10/2025