Barnegat Outing Update!

We had our Nature eScape at Barnegat this weekend and for such short notice and some "brisk" weather there was quite a turnout!

The plan was to meet in the field at around 2pm, some people arrived earlier, some a little later. The sun was nice despite some cold temps and we were able to photograph Sanderlings, Brants, Purple Sandpipers, Harlequins, Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Loons, Mergansers, Ruddy Turnstones - among others.

We had a really enjoyable dinner and slide show presentation Saturday evening.

Thanks to everyone who participated to make this outing a success! I'm looking forward to the Barnegat image posts.

Heather,

Sorry I missed it. One question --- Is EJ alive or just a frozen block of ice from Arizona?

Heather and Greg, thanks for pulling this together so quickly! It was a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you all got (especially E.J.'s in-flight gannets ).

E.J., Heather, Greg, Tony, Mark and Jimmy, thanks for sharing your slide shows!

E.J. did much better than I did, and I'm from New England! Sorry we didn't get to see you, Bob, hopefully next time.

Thanks much to Heather and Greg for pullling this together. It was nice meeting folks who until now were mostly faceless names, and catching up with others. A handful of us went back out this morning, some being luckier than others with their opportunities and/or results. Was certainly colder than yesterday afternoon. It also was nice to have a chance to share some images with the group (even if it was the "old-fashioned" way), since I have not yet gotten into posting on the image galleries. Thanks for your indulgence (those who attended).

I think Wil posted a good shot that's worth 1,000 words...

http://www.naturescapes.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=8066

Glad I went -- cold but I did walk away with a few images I am happy with.
My only regret is not getting out there on the Jetty for some flight shots ... I'll be trying again in a few weeks if anyone is interested in meeting there.

BrianS wrote:I'll be trying again in a few weeks if anyone is interested in meeting there.

I'd be interested depending on the weekend. I've got a trip scheduled at the beginning of February so I can't make it then.

Anthony Medici wrote:

BrianS wrote:I'll be trying again in a few weeks if anyone is interested in meeting there.

I'd be interested depending on the weekend. I've got a trip scheduled at the beginning of February so I can't make it then.

Just doing some long term forecast looking and we are supposed to have a warm up after this weeks cold snap. I think I am pretty available for another go at it any weekend between now and Feb...maybe a Jan 31 weekend date would be a good target -- give the rocks a chance to thaw.

I think this time around I might try traversing the rocks and ice with my gear in my backpack so as to keep the weight lower to the ground.
I am still embarrassed having gotten stuck on the rocks A special thanx to Heather and I believe Rich who helped me and my gear down off the jetty.

It was coooooooooooollllllllllllllllldddddddddddd but fun. There were only a couple of people Saturday morning when it was the coldest - 1 minute outside and any exposed piece of flesh was in pain. The rest of the time it was just real cold but everyone survived. A lot of fun was had by all at dinner on Saturday night.

Really wanted to be there, but I don't deal with the cold as well as I used to. And since I had just been to Barnegat on New Year's Eve, I decided that staying in the warm house was the better thing to do. Perhaps I need to be more dedicated

Looking forward to the next opportunity where I can possibly participate in one of these get togethers.

Ken Kovak wrote:Really wanted to be there, but I don't deal with the cold as well as I used to. And since I had just been to Barnegat on New Year's Eve, I decided that staying in the warm house was the better thing to do. Perhaps I need to be more dedicated

Looking forward to the next opportunity where I can possibly participate in one of these get togethers.

Hey there Ken -- might be a few heading back before the ducks leave mid-feb; I placed a post in the mid-atlantic group to see if anyone else is interested.
I know I'll be going, Tony is interested in going (before Homer of course ) and I would guess a few others will want to try and get there before the ducks are gone till next season.

I too, would like to thank Greg, Heather, and E.J. for putting this trip together. I was unable to make the other Mid Atlantic trip and really had a good time. It was nice to finally put some faces to the names.
I'm with Brian and would like to get back to try for the ducks as I was another one not willing to brave the ice covered rocks. Seems like in the next few weeks we should have a break in this weather pattern which might make the jetty more user friendly.
It might be worthwhile to check the tides as Heather said she had better luck when the water was higher up on the jetty.