Hi everyone,

This is a message to anyone out there with a camera who visits the
waterfowl congregation at the Crown Point Bridge, or any other large
waterfowl group elsewhere. I'd like to challenge folks to take a moment and
snap several photos covering as much of the flock as you can, and upload
your photos to a place (flickr, vermont birding facebook group, etc.) where
other birders can view them and enjoy the fun of carefully scanning each
bird for something fun. Or if you're like Ian and other ebirders, it can
help to determine species ratios. I've noticed myself that when I take
photos of dense areas of the flock, there's always something to be seen
that I didnt notice while in the field. For example, this morning I made a
quick stop hoping for a photo of a Canvasback. Looking back through my
photos on the computer reveals there were in fact 9 Canvasbacks in just one
frame (I had only counted 5 through my scope). Photos also revealed several
mallard x black duck hybrids, one of which was even banded. You never know
what might pop up in a photo that eluded you in the field. Its easy to miss
a bird in all that commotion!

-Tyler Pockette