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
Posted on 07 de março de 2022, 03:40 PM by williamwisephoto williamwisephoto

Observações

Fotos / Sons

What

Ganso-Do-Canadá (Branta canadensis)

Observador

williamwisephoto

Data

Fevereiro 25, 2022 09:29 AM EST

Descrição

Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

Fotos / Sons

What

Tartaruga-Mordedora (Chelydra serpentina)

Observador

williamwisephoto

Data

Fevereiro 25, 2022 09:32 AM EST

Descrição

Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

Fotos / Sons

What

Garça-Branca-Grande (Ardea alba)

Observador

williamwisephoto

Data

Fevereiro 25, 2022 09:37 AM EST

Descrição

Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

williamwisephoto

Data

Fevereiro 25, 2022 09:37 AM EST

Descrição

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



  • Fotos / Sons

    What

    Garça-Real-Americana (Ardea herodias)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Data

    Fevereiro 25, 2022 09:44 AM EST

    Descrição

    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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Mergulhão-Caçador (Podilymbus podiceps)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Data

    Fevereiro 25, 2022 09:44 AM EST

    Descrição

    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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Biguatinga (Anhinga anhinga)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Descrição

    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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Corvo-Marinho-d'Orelhas (Nannopterum auritum)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Data

    Fevereiro 25, 2022 09:48 AM EST

    Descrição

    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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Pica-Pau-Mosqueado (Colaptes auratus)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Data

    Fevereiro 25, 2022 09:58 AM EST

    Descrição

    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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Pato-de-Rabo-Alçado-Americano (Oxyura jamaicensis)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Data

    Fevereiro 25, 2022 09:59 AM EST

    Descrição

    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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Aligátor-Americano (Alligator mississippiensis)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Descrição

    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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Aligátor-Americano (Alligator mississippiensis)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Descrição

    ©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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Mariquita-Coroada (Setophaga coronata)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Data

    Fevereiro 25, 2022 10:03 AM EST

    Descrição

    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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Mergulhão-Caçador (Podilymbus podiceps)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Data

    Fevereiro 25, 2022 10:04 AM EST

    Descrição

    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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Íbis-branco Americano (Eudocimus albus)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Data

    Fevereiro 25, 2022 10:05 AM EST

    Descrição

    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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Tartaruga-Mordedora (Chelydra serpentina)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Data

    Fevereiro 25, 2022 10:22 AM EST

    Descrição

    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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Tartaruga-da-Flórida (Trachemys scripta)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Data

    Fevereiro 25, 2022 10:22 AM EST

    Descrição

    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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Bútio-Ruivo (Buteo lineatus)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Data

    Fevereiro 25, 2022 10:24 AM EST

    Descrição

    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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Bútio-Ruivo (Buteo lineatus)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Data

    Fevereiro 25, 2022 10:24 AM EST

    Descrição

    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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Coruja-Barrada (Strix varia)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Data

    Fevereiro 25, 2022 10:26 AM EST

    Descrição

    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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Mariquita-Coroada (Setophaga coronata)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Data

    Fevereiro 25, 2022 10:36 AM EST

    Descrição

    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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Pato-Real (Anas platyrhynchos)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Data

    Fevereiro 25, 2022 10:36 AM EST

    Descrição

    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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Mariquita-Coroada (Setophaga coronata)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Data

    Fevereiro 25, 2022 10:39 AM EST

    Descrição

    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

    Fotos / Sons

    What

    Garça-Real-Americana (Ardea herodias)

    Observador

    williamwisephoto

    Data

    Fevereiro 25, 2022 10:02 AM EST

    Descrição

    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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