Stephen Ingraham (who?)

the unofficial site for birders and digiscopers using Zeiss equipment.

Cape May Autumn Weekend / The Bird Show

Cape May, New Jersey is undoubtedly one of the places every birder has to visit once...and having visited once...it is place most birders will want to visit again. Evidence is readily available in the continued popularity of the Cape May Autumn Weekend. The combination of the late fall migration, with a few winter birds already settled in, and crisp days, and one of the best vendor shows in the birding community, always draws a crowd of birders from the major metropolitan areas within a day's drive. Add John Wood's Raptor Project, with live birds and flying demonstrations to draw the local families, and it is a unique mix.

Every year nationally known birding experts and writers come to present workshops. This year featured Pete Dunne, Ken Kaufman, David Sibley, and a host of others.

A brief photo tour will help to give you the flavor. As always, clicking on bird images will open a larger version.

The Convention Hall right on the Beach is home to the vendors and the Raptor Project.	Everything from bird art to birding software and high end optics draws a crowd.
John Wood's Raptor Project packs the house.	It is an excellent opportunity to shop for optics, books, and other birding aids at the CMBO tables.
On the Morning Flight platform. More about Morning Flight.	The Hawk watch at Lighthouse State Park
The lighthouse from the boardwalks behind the hawkwatch.	Perfect weather (at least two of the days) and an ideal location for digiscoping with the new ZEISS DC4 Camera/Eyepiece.
American Wigeon on the ponds behind the hawkwatch.	Further around the loop trail.
Mute Swans seem to spend most of the day preening.	Neil Fifer, well know digiscoper from Hong Kong and Australia, trying to catch a Northern Harrier in flight.
My own best flight shot.	Even the Mallards are worth a closer look.
Digiscoping the hedgerows by the parking lots...great numbers of late migrants.	White-throated Sparrow behind the hawkwatch platform.
Yellow-rumped Warbler: there were 100s of thousands passing through.	Eastern Wood-pewee