A good day on the Fox River, Oswego

Juvenile Eagle
Today I saw 7 Bald Eagles

Merganser, male and Canada Goose
There were thousands of Canada Geese on the river.

Herring Gull, and Ring-billed Gull, and at least one I don't know.

Male Merganser.  There were several males and females in a couple of different places.

Common Golden-eye.  It was interesting to watch as they floated on the river, diving for food.

Saw this Heron land on the branch.

These two were just sitting on the bank of the river.

Female Merganser.

There were lots of mallards on the river.

Geese in flight.
There were flocks of geese all along the river.

Juvenile Bald Eagle.

This one looks like it is almost an adult.

Another juvenile Bald Eagle

And another juvenile Bald Eagle.
I spent hours along the Fox River today.  Also went down to one of the parks on the other side of Oswego.  Will do a post all about those birds.  It was fun taking the time to just watch them.
Mary

Along the Fox

Birds are in migration mode.  Golden-eyed, and bufflehead, males and females.  From what I have read, some of these birds have been around, I just had not found them.
I try to take pictures of each bird for my identification.  Unfortunately, not all pictures turn out good enough for me to even use for identification.
I do record my observations on ebird.org.  It is interesting to see where other birders go to observe birds. I am trying to record the different places I go, which is including when I have been to the Caribbean, and other states.  I have so far identified 117 birds, and 71 of those are in the continental USA.
It is a great way to get exercise too!

Not a great shot, but cormorants on the Fox River.

We have seen these nests, but did not know what bird may have built them.  Now we know.  We have a small colony of Blue Herons that are nesting along the Fox.  

Cardinal.  Now this is an easy bird to identify.
I have a few places I keep going back to, to observe what may be new.
Have also been expanding my search area.  There are a lot of Forest Reserves in the counties around us.  Some of the counties provide brochures of where the reserves, and lakes are located.
One Sunday, recently, I got a 3 mile walk in.  When you are looking for birds, you don't always realize how far you have traveled.
Obviously I am new at this, but have learned a lot already.  Who knew!
Mary