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
Julkaistu maaliskuu 7, 2022 03:40 IP. käyttäjältä williamwisephoto williamwisephoto

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Helmikuu 25, 2022 09:29 EST

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Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

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Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

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Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina.

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Helmikuu 25, 2022 09:37 EST

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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



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    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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    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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    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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    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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    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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    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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    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

    Kuvat / Äänet

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    ©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

    Kuvat / Äänet

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    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

    Kuvat / Äänet

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    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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    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

    Kuvat / Äänet

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    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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    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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    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

    Kuvat / Äänet

    Mitä

    Ruostehiirihaukka (Buteo lineatus)

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    Helmikuu 25, 2022 10:24 EST

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    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

    Kuvat / Äänet

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    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

    Kuvat / Äänet

    Mitä

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    Havainnoija

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    Päivämäärä

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    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

    Kuvat / Äänet

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    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

    Kuvat / Äänet

    Mitä

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    Havainnoija

    williamwisephoto

    Päivämäärä

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    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

    Kuvat / Äänet

    Mitä

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    Havainnoija

    williamwisephoto

    Päivämäärä

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    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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