Phriday Pheathers – Over-wintering

On By TimelessladyIn Phriday Pheathers
White Egret in Salt Marsh – Fortescue, New Jersey

I read a post today written by Be Creative Mary that spoke of the salty smell of East Coast seashores. My state’s coast, including the Delaware Bay, also has a distinctive fragrance of salt marsh. Even though we are in the throes of cold wintry weather, the first day of the year was filled with amazing birds over-wintering in the salt marshes of the Bay near Fortescue.

The swans were busy grooming, but one lifted its head long enough for me to capture their graceful beauty.

The sparrows, sheltering in bushes near the beach houses, were a cheerful sight to begin the year of 2019. The scrubby brush provided wintry hospitality for the small birds. I felt a sense of gratitude to see and hear the sweet chirping of this small flock.

I am hoping, that although most of the birds seem to be common house sparrows, perhaps there are a few that are a member of the endangered Salt Marsh Sparrow and the species will experience a recovery of numbers in the coming years.

This post is part of Skywatch Friday and Friday Foto Friends.

22 thoughts on “Phriday Pheathers – Over-wintering”

  1. Thanks for sharing. I have been struggling with which direction to go in my art making. Seeing your photos of the beautiful birds has truly inspired me. What a beautiful place you live in. Enjoy.
    Now for me, back to work. I am going to work on a painting of birds today!

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  3. Debbie Huffaker

    Oh, my goodness, at all the sparrows! “His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me”! Thanks so much for sharing your fotos on FFF! HOPE our 2019 is starting off great! ❤

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    1. Timelesslady

      I love the sparrows, they nest around my home every Spring. I also have always loved that verse and the song based on it. Yes…2019 is starting off great!

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    1. Timelesslady

      They are so beautiful. I wasn’t sure if they were egrets or herons, but then found a site that said the egrets have black legs. That helped! We see some grey herons in this area in our swampy areas, but I only see the white ones near the shoreline. I would love to have one in the neighborhood.

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      1. I saw a spoonbill at the same park once but did not have my camera handy! 😦

        Fortunately i caught another one on a walk by a wildlife reserve that connects to the river than runs through my city of Perth. I posted the shots here: https://lovewillbringustogether.wordpress.com/2018/03/31/yellow-billed-spoonbill/

        My egret is here: https://lovewillbringustogether.wordpress.com/2018/10/31/regret-no-great-egret/

        His legs are lighter as it’s breeding season, as you can tell from his fancy plumage and green eye band.

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Thanks so much for your comments. They fill my life with sunshine.