By Mike Busch
With the usual help from Jim Botta we have put together a compilation of just some of the best photos this week from the Long Island Wildlife Photography group below. As we near 20,ooo members the job doesn’t get easier! If you are not a member, feel free to join.
One of the highlights this week was a sequence captured by Jill Weigold Wendling of a Bald Eagle regurgitating a pellet. Below is her description of the process along with a few of the photos.
Bald Eagles, like most raptors, regurgitate pellets after a feeding. Usually occurring after a morning meal. The pellet is formed in the gizzard and passes from there to the mouth and then cast out. Pellets are made up of fur, feathers, and occasionally bone that cannot be digested. Bald Eagles are adept at digesting bone due to the strong acids in their stomachs. The calcium taken from the bone then helps in producing their own better bone development and aids in the development of eggshells. This is a female casting up a large pellet.
Bald Eagle – Jill Weigold Wendling
Bald Eagle – Jill Weigold Wendling
Bald Eagle – Jill Weigold Wendling
This week’s cover shot goes to Robert Kaplan with a beautiful Northern Harrier in flight. Also don’t miss another great video by Natalie Ann on the last page.
Try to check out all 8 pages and have a great weekend!
American Coot – Chris Bonadonna
Harbor Seal (Tagged) – Brian Doherty
Belted Kingfisher – Bonnie Forman Franco
Peregrine Falcon – Jacki Miller Feldbaum
Red-Tailed Hawk – Brian Doherty
Red Crossbill – Raina Angelier
