Hi all...
Just checking to see who'll be hanging out a Magee the next couple of weekends. David & I will be there May 11-14. We're camping at Maumee Bay SP. I know Arnie and Shelia will be up there as well.
We'll have lunch fix'ins available and a grill if anyone wants to meet up for lunch on Saturday the 13th.
Terri, I have heard this placed mentioned several times on here and I am beginning to think it is a place I need to visit. I am assuming there are warblers, hence the title, but what else frequents the marsh this time of year?
I'll be going up there May 10-12. Then headed to Ind. to Mom's for Mother's Day weekend. I ditched her last year for Magee. I'd better spend it with her this year! I think Magee always has a fall out May 9, 10 or 11. See you on the boardwalk!
Josh, there are warblers all over the place! It can get a little crowded with people, but it's well worth the trip.
Deb: I'll see you there, no doubt!
Josh: While I think Magee is popular for the warbler opportunities, there's an abundance of photo ops. Some of the NPNers spend time on the lake shore shooting shorebirds. You also see egrets and herons. Other subjects I've photographed there over the last 3 years are owls, soras, Lincoln Sparrows, Hermit Thrush, Orioles, and we usually see a whip-poor-will or two (though they've been too far out to photograph well). Last year we shot a Blanding's turtle and usually see some snakes.
The downside is that the boardwalk will be crowded! Because of that, lots of photographers prefer to shoot from the edge of the parking lot as birds come out to take a look around. I usually chose to handhold my 100-400 IS and meander around the boardwalk. I actually hope for a bit of rain and cool weather...it will cause the birds to "hunker down" and make them more accessible and it scares away some of the birders.
Ottawa NWR borders the Magee Marsh/Crane Creek area and though I haven't spent much time there, I've seen some wonderful images from there.
Hope this helps! Maybe Arnie can offer some other shooting ideas from his visits there.
If you are into bird photography, Magee is well worth the drive. As Terri mentioned it does get crowded during International Migratory day, but there are plenty of places to shoot on the fringe. I'll be up there the next two weekends myself. Here's a link you might find helpful.
http://www.birdingamerica.com/Ohio/mageemarsh.htm
Arnie
Cool! Terri, thanks for acting on this. I will be in Acadia this year for prime birding season.
Josh, this spot is definitely worth the trip. Your 600 will have plenty of company.
If May 11-12 is International Migratory Bird Day, try to get to the upper parking lot by the sportman's center. There will be a raptor display and your can great some stunning portrait shots there. Check the schedule of events.
Writing to all from the Toldeo area. Spent a few hours in the afternoon at Magee Marsh. From what I could tell, the real wave hasn't arrived yet. The only thing I saw in real numbers were Yellow Rumps and Palms. Maybe tomorrow will be a little better.
Arnie
Just a update, Friday at Magee was about the same. Most of the Warblers that were reported by Birders were either up high or hiding in the thicket. Myself and the "usual cast" of Magee photographers decided to call it quits and try our luck next week.
Too bad...
Looking at the extended forecast, there's some wet weather predicted for next weekend. Maybe that'll initiate a fall-out. See you next week!
This past weekend at Magee was a real bust. I didn't even get the camera out Saturday. It was dark, cold and windy to start Saturday although it did clear later in the morning. The only bird I saw on the outside other than the Baltimore Orioles was a Warbling Vireo. As Arnie said....what birds were on the bird trail were either up high, buried in the foliage, or else they were facing the sun. Sunday morning wasn't much better and I left to drive home at 9am. This is the first time that I ever got shutout at Magee. Here's hoping that it gets better for this coming weekend!!!!
My husband and I will get to Magee on Wednesday afternoon. I sure hope it's better than what you folks encountered.
Josh....were you at the parking lot edge for your oriole shot? Did anyone have oranges out? Last year some folks got weird and took all of our oranges away.
Not to fear the oranges were out. Although I only saw one Oriole on one. Some enterprising Birder put out some grape jelly but it was also non-effective.
Lana sorry I missed you last weekend. Maybe we all will be rewarded this weekend. You know it's bad when the locals decide to back up their gear and call it a day.
Looking forward to seeing you all and better birding.
Arnie
Discussion
18 repliesJust checking to see who'll be hanging out a Magee the next couple of weekends. David & I will be there May 11-14. We're camping at Maumee Bay SP. I know Arnie and Shelia will be up there as well.
We'll have lunch fix'ins available and a grill if anyone wants to meet up for lunch on Saturday the 13th.
I'll be going up there May 10-12. Then headed to Ind. to Mom's for Mother's Day weekend. I ditched her last year for Magee. I'd better spend it with her this year! I think Magee always has a fall out May 9, 10 or 11. See you on the boardwalk!
Josh, there are warblers all over the place! It can get a little crowded with people, but it's well worth the trip.
Josh: While I think Magee is popular for the warbler opportunities, there's an abundance of photo ops. Some of the NPNers spend time on the lake shore shooting shorebirds. You also see egrets and herons. Other subjects I've photographed there over the last 3 years are owls, soras, Lincoln Sparrows, Hermit Thrush, Orioles, and we usually see a whip-poor-will or two (though they've been too far out to photograph well). Last year we shot a Blanding's turtle and usually see some snakes.
The downside is that the boardwalk will be crowded! Because of that, lots of photographers prefer to shoot from the edge of the parking lot as birds come out to take a look around. I usually chose to handhold my 100-400 IS and meander around the boardwalk. I actually hope for a bit of rain and cool weather...it will cause the birds to "hunker down" and make them more accessible and it scares away some of the birders.
Ottawa NWR borders the Magee Marsh/Crane Creek area and though I haven't spent much time there, I've seen some wonderful images from there.
Hope this helps! Maybe Arnie can offer some other shooting ideas from his visits there.
I might try to make it up there this weekend or the weekend of May 20th!
JA
If you are into bird photography, Magee is well worth the drive. As Terri mentioned it does get crowded during International Migratory day, but there are plenty of places to shoot on the fringe. I'll be up there the next two weekends myself. Here's a link you might find helpful.
http://www.birdingamerica.com/Ohio/mageemarsh.htm
Arnie
I'll be there this weekend and again next weekend. I can't wait!!!
Lana Hays
http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/OHIO.html
Looking forward to seeing you all on the boardwalk!
I am hoping to make it up there this weekend (if I can talk my wife into going).
I guess we will be up there as well. Sounds like a great time for birding!
Josh, this spot is definitely worth the trip. Your 600 will have plenty of company.
If May 11-12 is International Migratory Bird Day, try to get to the upper parking lot by the sportman's center. There will be a raptor display and your can great some stunning portrait shots there. Check the schedule of events.
Arnie
Arnie
Looking at the extended forecast, there's some wet weather predicted for next weekend. Maybe that'll initiate a fall-out. See you next week!
I came away with some great images. I am thinking about heading back up next weekend.
Josh....were you at the parking lot edge for your oriole shot? Did anyone have oranges out? Last year some folks got weird and took all of our oranges away.
Not to fear the oranges were out. Although I only saw one Oriole on one. Some enterprising Birder put out some grape jelly but it was also non-effective.
Lana sorry I missed you last weekend. Maybe we all will be rewarded this weekend. You know it's bad when the locals decide to back up their gear and call it a day.
Looking forward to seeing you all and better birding.
Arnie