Barnegat Jetty, New Jersey

Merry Christmas!

I have wanted to visit Barnegat Jetty for several years.  Last Christmas I ventured down to Barnegat for the first time and I plan on doing so again this week.  

There are many species of birds and wildlife that call the jetty home during the winter.  Harlequin Duck, Long Tailed Duck (formerly Oldsquaw), Common Loon, Red Throated Loon, Red Breasted Merganser, Surf Scoter, Black Scoter, Common Eider, and Brant. Shorebird species include; Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstone, Black Bellied Plover, and Sanderling . I have been told that Harbor Seals have also been seen at the jetty.  The stars of the jetty for me are the Harlequin Ducks.

These ducks are difficult to come by during the winter unless you travel to coastal Maine where a large portion of the North American population spends their winter.

I was lucky to be able to capture some decent images given this was my first time to the jetty.  Swimming images are fairly common but I am told that ducks on the rocks and good flight captures are tough to come by.  I really like the flight capture above.

One word of caution.  The Jetty is a dangerous place.  You need to do your homework before you head out onto the rocks.  And please, take a friend along, this is not a place to be alone.

Images captured with Nikon D700, 600mm f/4 on Lexar Digital Film

I wish all our readers a happy holiday season and much prosperity in 2013.  I hope you are all able to spend quality time with loved ones over the coming days.

Happy Birding!