Some pictures from the trip
OK, as promised, a few digiscoping shots from my day trip to Lake Mattamuskeet. All these shots were using a Canon S100/Celestron Regal F-ED 80 scope/factory 20-60 zoom EP.
Great Egret. These were all over the place, so plenty of opportunity for good shots.
Tundra Swans. According to the statistics the staff at the refuge posted, there are 25,000-35,000 of these wintering here this year. From everything I can find, only Tundra, not Trumpeter, Swans winter at the lake, although the range of the Trumpeter Swan has evidently been changing in recent years. I didn't see any that I could definitively ID as Trumpeters. These were about 200 feet away.
Near the visitor center there is a short, boardwalk nature trail. It winds through a cypress swamp, and was absolutely filled with woodpeckers. In addition to the Pileateds (I saw 5 at one point), there were Downy, Hairy, Red Bellied, and Northern Flickers. This Pileated was about 150 feet off, through some thick understory brush.
Immature Tundra Swan.
Northern Pintails.
All in all, a very good day.
--dave