American Crow at Quiet Waters Park

It was raining when I awoke, so I didn’t get out until 10:00, for a very brief trip.
The crew at Quiet Waters had defoliated my favorite bug spot, so I didn’t find very much at all. A passing crow posed briefly.

Black Billed Cuckoo

I took this lat Fall at Governor Bridge and recently had occasion to look at it again. The tail and breast are wrong for a Yellow Billed Cuckoo, which I didn’t notice in my haste. It’s a Black Billed Cuckoo, and a life bird for me.

American Crow

I usually pass up crows, but this one was close, in good light.

Beetle 88

Common Buckeye 3

Insect 564

Insect 565

Caterpillar 117

Bee 48

Today's bugs.

Today’s bugs.

Caterpillars at Governor Bridge Natural Area

It looked like a promising morning, slightly cloudy and cool enough. I got to the park early, and spent a couple of hours looking for birds, with no significant luck.
Oddly the bug hunting was slow as well. I’m still kicking myself for missing a couple of nice snakes.

This beetle landed on a car in the parking lot.

This beetle landed on a car in the parking lot.

 

Tussock Moth Nymph 2

Dragonfly 132

Today's bugs.

Today’s bugs.

Prairie Warbler at Sands Road Park

The cool weather continued today, and my plan was to return to Governor Bridge, but the truck wanted to go to Wooton, so we compromised on Sands Road. This park is a huge open field surrounded by trees and shrubs, and I was very surprised to see that someone had mowed the entire field, which must be at least a quarter mile in diameter. That made walking much easier than walking through the tall grass.

Blue Grosbeak

This female Blue Grosbeak was foraging near the edge of the field.

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

I saw several Common Yellowthroats.

Northern Cardinal

This Northern Cardinal was greeting the morning with a song.

Field Sparrow

I’ve seen several Field Sparrows at Sands Road.

Prairie Warbler

Prairie Warbler

Prairie Warbler

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a Prairie Warbler

Flower 78

Flower 77

Miscellaneous images.

Miscellaneous images.

Grasshopper 53

Beetle 81

Beetle 82

Insect 539

Common Whitetail 5

Ant 20

Beetle 79

Fly 43

Fly 44

Fly 45

Insect 540

Insect 541

Broad Headed Sharpshooter 14

Praying Mantis 31

Praying Mantis 32

Damsel Fly 26

Damsel Fly 25

Insect 542

Caterpillar 104

Today's bugs.

Today’s bugs.

Red Eyed Vireo at Governor Bridge Natural Area

The current cold front has provided near perfect weather for birding. The clear skies inspired me to start with birds this morning, and it worked out OK. I got a few decent shots of some nice birds.
The bug hunting was oddly slow, but I do have a bug I haven’t seen before.

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

I haven’t gotten close to a Red Eyed Vireo in quite a while.

White Eyed Vireo

White Eyed Vireo

White Eyed Vireo

White Eyed Vireos are still around in good numbers.

Indigo Bunting

I saw two pairs of Indigo Buntings this morning.

Broad Headed Sharpshooter 13

Dragonfly 128

Ant 19

Insect 538

Grasshopper 52

Dragonfly 127

Ant 19

Dragonfly 126

Insect 538

Grasshopper 52

Dragonfly 127

Insect 539

Insect 540Poison Ivy Sawfly

Today's bugs.

Today’s bugs.

Centipede at Quiet Waters Park

I stayed close to home again this morning. After a couple of hours at Truxtun, I went to Quiet Waters and poked around my favorite spots. I actually though the small centipede was a caterpillar, until I got a close look in the computer.

“NATURE rarer uses yellow
Than another hue;
Saves she all of that for sunsets,—
Prodigal of blue,

Spending scarlet like a woman,
Yellow she affords
Only scantly and selectly,
Like a lover’s words.”

Emily Dickinson

Flower 71

Flower 73

Flower 72

Insect 499

Moth 72

Insect 500

Insect 501

Two Lined Spitttlebug 3

Beetle 70

Beetle 68

Beetle 69

Broad Headed Sharpshooter 9

Caterpillar 97

Insect 502

Insect 503

Insect 504

Fly 32

Insect 505

Assassin Bug 7

Caterpillar 98

Caterpillar 99

Insect 506

Leafhopper 18Today’s bugs.

This centipede was out in the open, which is unusual in my experience.

This centipede was out in the open, which is unusual in my experience.

Fed Ex Doesn’t Care About Your Package

This package has been in front of my door for four days. It was delivered to the wrong address (We are 1021, the address says 1121).
We have: Called the recipient and left a message. This is the second time her packages have been left at our door, and she didn’t do anything about it last time.
We have also called Fed Ex 3 times, and they have yet to act.
When I said I’d post it on the web, they said, “Go ahead”. I have gone ahead.
Fedex

Swamp Sparrow at Wooton Wetlands Preserve

It looked like another near perfect day, and I set out early for Wooton. I found a few good birds right away, so I tried the upper trail after traversing the lower trail twice. A waste of time, but good exercise I suppose. A big beaver provided some excitement.
The afternoon trip to Quiet Waters was a blank. Too damn many people.

Beaver

I just barely got a look at this large Beaver as he crossed the path.

Swamp Sparrow

There are always Swamp Sparrows at Wooton, but they seldom pose so well.

Goldfinch

First Goldfinch of the season.

Yellow  Rumped Warbler

Yellow  Rumped Warbler

Yellow Rumped Warblers are coming into breeding plumage.

Canada Goose

Canada Goose

This Canada Goose was protecting his mate from another Goose.

Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebirds are getting easy to find.

White Throated Sparrow

Many White Throated Sparrows were foraging in the grass.

Prairie Warbler

It’s not a very good image, but I only got one chance at this Prairie Warbler.

Turtle

Another cooperative turtle.

Pileated Woodpecker at Quiet Waters

The weather gods continue to please, even if the birds are less cooperative. I seet out erly gor Governor Bridge in hopes of finding some warblers, but it didn’t happen. I did find a couple of migrants, but pickings were slim.
After a nap, I went to Quiet Waters, which also slow, I found a few birds and bugs.

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

This Ruby Crowned Kinglet is a first for this year.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, another first.

White Eyed Vireo

I was lucky to get this White Eyed Vireo.

Eastern Towhee

THis Eastern Towhee was singing loudly from the top of a bush when I arrived, and when I left two hours later.

White Breasted Nuthatch

White Breasted Nuthatch

This White Breasted Nuthatch is nesting in Quiet Waters.

Pileated Woodpecker

This Pileated Woodpecker landed nearby while I was watching the Nuthatch.

Spider 96

Cocoon 1

Ladybug 12

Insect 100

Today's bugs.

Today’s bugs.

Red-Throated Loon at Jonas Green Park

The promise of good weather had me out at dawn, heading for Jonas Green. Horned Grebes were everywhere, in breeding plumage, along with a few Buffleheads and one spectacular Red-Throated Loon, a life bird for me.
I then went to Quiet Waters, where the magic cove wasn’t as productive as before, but it still produced some good birds.

Gadwall

Gadwall

This Gadwall was in the small pond adjacent to Jonas Green.

Song Sparrow

Song Sparrow

This Song Sparrow, like many birds at this time, is looking for a mate.

Common Loon

Common Loon

This Common Loon, like many, disappeared soon after I got this picture.

Canvasback

This Canvasback hen will be heading West soon.

Canada Goose

This Canada Goose will probably breed in the area.


Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe 41

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebes are quite striking in breeding plumage.

Red-Throated Loon

Red-Throated Loon

Red-Throated Loon

Red-Throated Loon

I knew this Red-Throated Loon was different when I saw him, but I wasn’t sure of the ID.
Cornell:”The smallest of the loons, the Red-throated Loon breeds at high latitudes in North America and Eurasia. It is distinctive among loons not only in size, but also in behavior, vocalizations, locomotion, and other aspects of life history.”

Ant

This Ant is tiny, and he was moving.

Bud

Bud

A neighborhood bud.

Snail

I know nothing about Snails.