We were out birding yesterday and stopped by to see the Common Moorhen at
Dutch Gap. It was hanging out with a Coot (as reported by others) at the
first platform. Not shy at all..
Here are 3 images in all..
http://www.pbase.com/tomlyn/image/96664448
We were getting very nervous because there was an enormous Snapping Turtle
swimming and feeding within a few feet of the Moorhen and the Coot.
Very scary-looking..
http://www.pbase.com/tomlyn/image/96664859
If it came too close, the Moorhen and Coot would skitter away.
We left there and decided to go to Crewes Channel (Willis Church Rd. in
Charles City County) It had been flooded from all the rain we got, but now
is drained and there are lots of Yellowlegs and Common Snipe. (2 images)
imm.
http://www.pbase.com/tomlyn/image/96238996
Amazingly, there was another huge Snapper in there eating a fish.
Excuse the bad image, the light was terrible ( 2 images)
http://www.pbase.com/tomlyn/image/96664862
It came very close to a Great Blue Heron, which made me a bit nervous.
A week or so before it was flooded, we saw 3 imm. Bald Eagles, and a
Kingfisher
http://www.pbase.com/tomlyn/image/96240590
4 images
Happy birding..
Lynda Blair
New Kent County
