Holgate is the southern end of Long Beach Island, NJ and a part of Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. In previous years I often went there to photograph Snowy Owls, and I tried to do that again three days ago. Unfortunately surveyors were roaming Holgate that day, traipsing into dune parts that Snowy Owls frequented. As a result, even though I hiked the length of Holgate and back, there was not a single bird that day, except for one seagull.
It was cold, starting at 17°F (-8°C) and slowly climbing to above freezing. As the tide was coming in, the wind made beautiful waves.
A Herring Gull was standing on the beach. I approached it carefully, 20 steps at a time, taking a camera shot before continuing.
When I finally got too close, it flew up holding a piece of clam in its beak.
Near the entrance to Holgate, there were a dozen surfers.
When I came home and looked at the photos on my computer, I saw some Long-tailed Ducks in several of them.
Julie@frogpondfarm said:
Wonderful gull shots … I enjoy seeing how close I can get before they take to the air 🙂 .. camera in hand of course
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bluebrightly said:
That’s too bad about the owls, but I really love that light inside the wave in the third photo. i would say you took advantage of the situation well!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Lynn! I often try to take a picture of the eye of a wave, and sometimes it turns out well, depending on where the sun is.
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quietsolopursuits said:
I love the shot looking at the inside of the wave as it passed by you! There’re all great though, and I wish you luck in your quest for a snowy owl.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you very much Jerry! It was just my luck that the surveyors were there that day.
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Inger said:
How beautiful an area! Love the capture if the waves, you could put it up on your wall:)
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you, Inger! I may try to print out some photos and put them up as you suggested.
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Mabel Kwong said:
Sounds like not the day to be photographing Snowy Owls with all the surveyors around. Maybe another day and a slightly warmer day next time. Lovely shots of the Herring Gull. It looks tall and mighty in the first shot, and a very hungry gull in the next few shots. Great work as usual, Hien 🙂
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Mabel! As you said, I will try again on some warmer day. Two days after I was there, someone reported seeing two owls at the same place.
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Sue Slaght said:
Brilliant photos. I love the one with the piece of clam. You really are masterful at capturing birds in flight.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Sue!
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allentimphotos2 said:
Too cold to surf. Thanks for braving the cold. Nice images.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Tim! Walking was not too bad after the first half hour.
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allentimphotos2 said:
You’re welcome. Try to stay warm considering the blast of cold weather expected.
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bayphotosbydonna said:
Love that shot of the wave curling, gorgeous!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Donna!
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Eliza Waters said:
Oh, brrr, cold day– I can’t imagine swimming in those temperatures!
Nice wave shots, Hien.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Eliza! Maybe the wet suits kept the surfers warm enough?
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RV John said:
Wow, to be in such weather surfing …. you have got to love it! It looks like a enjoyable day out even if was a bit cool.
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neihtn2012 said:
Maybe it is not too cold under the surfer wet suits. But I would not do it …
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sidilbradipo1 said:
Magnificent shots of the waves 😍
Those surfers are crazy!
Happy Friday
Sid
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Sid! Every January 1st, we have groups of people, Polar Bears they call themselves, that go swim or at least take a dip in the ocean. At least the surfers wear wet suits.
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sidilbradipo1 said:
Polar Bears… that’s the right name 😂
Brave!
Ciao
Sid
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Mz&Cho said:
Beautiful photos, especially the nonchalant looking Herring Gull and the foam of breaking waves. Must give kudos to the surfers in such cold weather. Enjoy the weekend!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you! You too have a nice weekend.
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Armann and Kaymann said:
Love those water shots. Stopped in time!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you very much!
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T Ibara Photo said:
The Herring Gull has such piercing eyes! Holgate seems a lovely place, even when our bird friends do not show up (thought it must have been disappointing!).
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neihtn2012 said:
Holgate is a good place for hiking. You could go for two or three miles without seeing anyone, and enjoy the sound of the surf and the sights of nature. I may go back there for the owls before they migrate back to the Artic.
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ekurie said:
It even looks cold! Clear and beautiful though. Hope you’ll try again for the owls.
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neihtn2012 said:
Two days ago, somebody reported seeing two Snowy Owls there. I may try it again, when the weather is better than now.
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