Birding and a Marathon around Greenfield Lake

Juvenile Alligator
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 107896834 - Juvenile American Alligator; Greenfield Lake, Wilmington, North Carolina. February 25, 2022.

Spring is coming! It’s time for the daffodils to bloom, the birds to begin migrating, and the nature photographers to get the equipment ready. But it’s also time for spring marathons! Okay, maybe running extra long distances doesn’t fit in with your lifestyle. But somehow running marathons became another one of my excessive, out-of-balance hobbies.

My daughter and I drove up to North Carolina for the annual Wilmington Marathon. The race begins at sunrise near the waves and dunes of Wrightsville Beach. After crossing several bridges, the course heads for downtown Wilmington and, after twenty-six miles, it ends at the convention center. Along the route the race loops Greenfield Lake, a great park for wildlife and birding photography.

Knowing that I wouldn’t be carrying my heavy DSLR and telephoto lens during a four-hour run, I went with my daughter for a walk at Greenfield Lake the day before the race. I’ve previously photographed several alligators in the lake and hoped to get some more. Although sunny, it was still a tad cool and breezy, so I only spotted two juvenile alligators, but a myriad of birds. There are always egrets, herons, cormorants, ibis and other water birds at the lake. And the waters are full of turtles! A paved path through well-maintained gardens circles the lake. Playgrounds and gazebos make it a popular place for family outings… and a marathon!

The next day, by the time we hit Greenfield Lake during the marathon, we had already run over 17 miles. My daughter was totally spent and I don’t think the beauty of Greenfield Lake registered much in her mind like it had the day before. As I ran, I tried to concentrate on the trees, Spanish moss, flitting birds and budding plants. The solace of the lake and its picturesque view helped me to divert some of the pain developing in my legs. I’m thankful that some of the marathon course wound its way through this park. But I was even happier when the 26.2 miles finally ended and that medal was in hand!

Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina. February 25, 2022.

  • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
  • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
  • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
  • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent
由使用者 williamwisephoto williamwisephoto2022年03月07日 15:40 所貼文

觀察

照片/聲音

什麼

加拿大雁 (Branta canadensis)

觀察者

williamwisephoto

日期

2月 25, 2022 09:29 EST

描述

Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

照片/聲音

什麼

擬鱷龜 (Chelydra serpentina)

觀察者

williamwisephoto

日期

2月 25, 2022 09:32 EST

描述

Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

照片/聲音

什麼

大白鷺 (Ardea alba)

觀察者

williamwisephoto

日期

2月 25, 2022 09:37 EST

描述

Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

照片/聲音

什麼

雞龜亞科 (亞科 Deirochelyinae)

觀察者

williamwisephoto

日期

2月 25, 2022 09:37 EST

描述

Counted 52 in this one photo! Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

  • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
  • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
  • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
  • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

  • http://williamwisephoto.com/photographyblog/greenfield-lake-wilmington-north-carolina



  • 照片/聲音

    什麼

    大藍鷺 (Ardea herodias)

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 25, 2022 09:44 EST

    描述

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    什麼

    斑嘴巨鸊鷉 (Podilymbus podiceps)

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 25, 2022 09:44 EST

    描述

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    什麼

    美洲蛇鵜 (Anhinga anhinga)

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 2022

    描述

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    什麼

    雙冠鸕鶿 (Nannopterum auritum)

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 25, 2022 09:48 EST

    描述

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 25, 2022 09:58 EST

    描述

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 25, 2022 09:59 EST

    描述

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    什麼

    美國短吻鱷 (Alligator mississippiensis)

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 2022

    描述

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    什麼

    美國短吻鱷 (Alligator mississippiensis)

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 2022

    描述

    ©williamwisephoto.com Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 25, 2022 10:03 EST

    描述

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    什麼

    斑嘴巨鸊鷉 (Podilymbus podiceps)

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 25, 2022 10:04 EST

    描述

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 25, 2022 10:05 EST

    描述

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    什麼

    擬鱷龜 (Chelydra serpentina)

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 25, 2022 10:22 EST

    描述

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    什麼

    彩龜 (Trachemys scripta)

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 25, 2022 10:22 EST

    描述

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    什麼

    赤肩鵟 (Buteo lineatus)

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 25, 2022 10:24 EST

    描述

    This is the female. See https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/108052584 for the male and a series of mating photos.

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    什麼

    赤肩鵟 (Buteo lineatus)

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 25, 2022 10:24 EST

    描述

    This is for the male on the right in the first photo... and on top in the next photos :) See https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/108052582 for the female's observation

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    什麼

    横斑林鴞 (Strix varia)

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 25, 2022 10:26 EST

    描述

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 25, 2022 10:36 EST

    描述

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    什麼

    綠頭鴨 (Anas platyrhynchos)

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 25, 2022 10:36 EST

    描述

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 25, 2022 10:39 EST

    描述

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

    照片/聲音

    什麼

    大藍鷺 (Ardea herodias)

    觀察者

    williamwisephoto

    日期

    2月 25, 2022 10:02 EST

    描述

    Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

    • Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
    • Sunrise 6:45 am; Sunset 6:04 pm
    • Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 19 minutes (+2m 4s)
    • Moon: 31.1% Waning Crescent

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