Queens

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

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

Socrates Sculpture Park

Sherry Felix4 Comments

While waiting for our car to be detailed, we walked to the Socrates Sculpture Park in Astoria, Queens. It is located on the banks of the East River across from the tip of Roosevelt Island.

A person walking on grass in front of an artistic building, with trees and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
Socrates Sculpture Park 1/6/2026
View of bare trees and a grassy area in Socrates Sculpture Park, with the East River and city skyline in the background under a cloudy sky.
Socrates Sculpture Park 1/6/2026
A collection of metallic sculptures on tall poles with a city skyline in the background under a cloudy sky.
Socrates Sculpture Park 1/6/2026
View of the East River with bare trees in the foreground and a skyline of buildings in the background under a cloudy sky.
Socrates Sculpture Park 1/6/2026
Information sign for The Socrates Annual 2025 exhibition at Socrates Sculpture Park, detailing program themes and featured artists.
Socrates Sculpture Park 1/6/2026
Map of Socrates Sculpture Park showing location details and upcoming events for the Socrates Annual 2025, featuring the East River and surrounding areas.
Socrates Sculpture Park 1/6/2026

Jamaica Bay Nature

Sherry Felix5 Comments

A small sampling of plants and insects.

A close-up of a vibrant green and yellow bee resting on a purple flower, with delicate petals and green foliage in the background.
Sweat Bee (Agapostemon), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
A close-up view of a butterfly with orange and black patterns perched on green leaves.
Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
Close-up of yellow flowers on a green plant, surrounded by foliage in a natural setting.
Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
Close-up of a white wildflower with delicate petals, surrounded by green foliage.
White Campion (Silene latifolia)Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025

Jamaica Bay Birds

Sherry Felix10 Comments

An assortment of some of the birds we saw during the festival. It was nice to see some of my birding friends there.

A great blue heron flying over a calm body of water, with vibrant purple flowers and greenery in the background.
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
A small shorebird walking on wet sand, displaying brown and white plumage.
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
A small shorebird walking on wet sand near water, with a mottled brown and white plumage.
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
A small shorebird walking on sandy terrain with sparse grass.
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
A small bird standing on a wet surface, surrounded by feathers and greenery, with a blurred background of water.
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
A small shorebird with brown and white plumage, foraging on a sandy surface.
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
A group of birds wading in shallow water, with a larger bird in the background and smaller birds in the foreground, reflecting in the water.
Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
A group of birds flying above a wetland area, with a few larger geese standing in the background. In the foreground, a small animal is lying on the ground amidst scattered feathers.
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
A group of Canada geese gathered near the water's edge on a sunny day, surrounded by greenery and reflecting in the shallow water.
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus), Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus), Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
A shorebird wading through shallow water, pecking at the surface with its beak.
lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
A close-up of a shorebird standing in shallow water, with one leg raised and its beak pointed towards the ground. Another shorebird is visible in the background.
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
A dark-colored bird wading through a shallow body of water, surrounded by green reflections and vegetation.
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
Three birds standing in shallow water, with one in the middle wading, surrounded by reeds in the background.
Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
A group of shorebirds standing and bathing in shallow water, with feathers scattered on the ground.
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
A group of birds in a wetland area, with one bird appearing to take off while the others are swimming.
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
A flock of Canadian geese taking off from a calm water surface, with lush green reeds in the background.
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025

Jamaica Bay Shorebird Festival

Sherry Felix8 Comments

This was the 20th Shorebird Festival. Some information about it: Birding Dude: Jamaica Bay Annual Shorebird Festival… Bird pics next post.

A group of bird watchers standing along a trail at the Jamaica Bay Annual Shorebird Festival, some using binoculars and others taking pictures.
Shorebird Festival, Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
Outdoor scene during the Jamaica Bay Annual Shorebird Festival, featuring tents for vendors and participants, with a building in the background and people interacting.
Shorebird Festival, Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025
A serene landscape featuring a calm water body surrounded by greenery, with several birds visible in the water and along the banks under a partly cloudy sky.
Jamaica Bay 8/17/2025

Gantry Plaza SP

Sherry Felix5 Comments

I signed up for a trip with a photo group. Four participants met at the Pepsi sign at Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City. This location is on Hunters Point by the East River in New York City. I altered the sky in the first and last image. It was nice to meet a couple of fellow photographers. It started to rain heavily so we all left early.

View of the New York City skyline from Gantry Plaza State Park, with the East River in the foreground and two ducks swimming near the rocky shore.
Gantry Plaza SP 4/5/2025
View of the East River shoreline at Gantry Plaza State Park, with rocky formations and tall grass in the foreground, and city buildings in the background.
Gantry Plaza SP 4/5/2025
View of the shoreline along the East River, featuring rocky and grassy areas, with city buildings visible in the background.
Gantry Plaza SP 4/5/2025
A view of a shoreline featuring rocky formations and a wooden barrier along the water's edge, with dry reeds in the background.
Gantry Plaza SP 4/5/2025
A view of dry grass and shrubs along the water's edge, with a rocky shoreline and a wooden fence in the background.
Gantry Plaza SP 4/5/2025
Cherry blossom branches in the foreground, with a blurred city skyline and river in the background during early spring.
Gantry Plaza SP 4/5/2025
A skyline view of New York City featuring the United Nations building and notable skyscrapers framed by bare tree branches under a cloudy sky.
Gantry Plaza SP 4/5/2025
Scenic view of Gantry Plaza State Park featuring greenish-yellow trees in the foreground and residential skyscrapers in the background under a cloudy sky.
Gantry Plaza SP 4/5/2025

Jamaca Bay in February

Sherry Felix5 Comments

We attended a talk about winter birds in Jamaica Bay on February 15, 2005. It was presented by the Guardian of Jamaica Bay, Don Riepe – Littoral​ Society.

​The Jamaica Bay Guardian is the American Littoral Society’s eyes and ears on the waters of Jamaica Bay. Don Riepe, the Guardian, provides a voice for the Bay and the wildlife and people that live, work, and play in its waters, mudflats, beaches, and marshes. Established in 2002 the Jamaica Bay Guardian Program focuses on education, community engagement, advocacy and restoration. The Jamaica Bay Guardian also transports staff, biologists and naturalist to the marsh islands in the bay, where the Society leads restoration projects, removes marine debris from the bay, cares for its wildlife and looks out for its general health.

Don also led a tour of the ponds. We are members of the NY Littoral Society.

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) and Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens), Jamaica Bay NRA 2/15/2025
Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens), Jamaica Bay NRA 2/15/2025
Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens), Jamaica Bay NRA 2/15/2025
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), Jamaica Bay NRA 2/15/2025
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Jamaica Bay NRA 2/15/2025
Reeds in ice, Jamaica Bay NRA 2/15/2025