Sharp Shinned Hawk and Ruby Throated Hummingbird

I went back to the Nature Center and Possum Point this morning in hopes of repeating yesterday’s performance. It wasn’t as good, but not a bad day all in all. Temps in the high 70s, low tumidity and slightly cloudy. It became much hotter later, so I didn’t go out this afternoon.

Great Blue Heron in Flight

Great Blue Heron in Flight

I usually go out on the point in the morning, and it’s not unusual to startle a fishing bird, so I was ready for this Great Blue Heron as he flew across the sunlit bay.

Osprey

The Ospreys begin to fish as soon as the Sun rises.

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler

This appears to be a female Yellow Warbler.

Bluebird

This juvenile Bluebird isn’t likely to inspire any poets or song writers until he finishes molting.

Nashville Warbler

I think this is a Nashville Warbler, but I’m checking on it. Wrong again. It’s an American Redstart.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

This was shot at 1/400, but it seems to have stopped this Ruby Throated Hummingbird. It’s my best photo of this bird yet.

Blue Grosbeak

This female Blue Grosbeak will be heading to Central America or the Bahamas soon.

Waterfront

MD state capitol dome and waterfront from Greenbury Point.

Mockingbird

I couldn’t pass up two Mockingbirds in one shot.

American Lady

My Audubon Butterfly App says this is an American Lady

Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Sharp-Shinned Hawk

This Sharp Shinned Hawk flew right over my head.

Red Shouldered Hawk with Snake

Some days are better than others, and this was a good one. I haven’t even reviewed the images yet, but I saw and photographed a number of birds, including one spectacular hawk. Possum Point, Truxtun Park and the Nature Center were the locales. Excellent weather, temps in the 70s and low humidity.

Sunrise

Sunrise at Possum Point. The camera data says this was taken at 6:42 AM. The Bay Bridge is just to the right of this scene.

Osprey

There were many fewer Ospreys than usual, and I suspect this guy will be gone very soon. This is labeled Osprey 103 in my filing system, so I’ll miss these wonderful birds

Chickadee

There were many small birds feeding in the foliage at the Nature Center, including this Chickadee.

Titmouse

I often see Titmice feeding with Chickadees.

Yellow Warbler

I’ve been looking for Warblers for several days, so it was good to find this Yellow Warbler .

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrows seem to be very abundant at the Nature Center.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

The Blue Gray Gnatcatcher is a handsome bird.

Kentucky Warbler

Another warbler, and a first for me. This is a Common Yellowthroat Warbler.

Downy Woodpecker

It’s not unusual for a Downy Woodpecker to ignore even a very close photographer.

Baltimore Oriole

This is a first year Baltimore Oriole.

Unknown Warbler

I think it’s a warbler, and I’m working on an ID.It’s an American Redstart female.

Deer

I was wading through thigh-high grass when I woke this deer, who was probably napping.

Red Shouldered Hawk

If you walk in the woods with a camera long enough you’ll find something like this Red Shouldered Hawk capturing a snake. I was thinking of all the things I could have done to make a better image, but I’ll settle for just being lucky.

Red Shouldered Hawk

In this picture, he’s eyeing the snake, and me, calculating the risk.

Pine Warbler at Patuxent NWR

I got to Patuxent NWR, South Tract, shortly after 7:00 AM, and there was plenty of activity. I stayed a couple of hours and went to North Tract, which was basically a bust. I did get to drive around and get more familiar with the place, which might help on future visits.

Mockingbird

There’s always a Mockingbird holding forth from a high tree or bush.

Pine Warbler

Pine Warbler

This Pine Warbler is the first I’ve ever seen.

Great Blue Heron

I seldom see a Great Blue Heron this deep in the water.

Great Blue Heron

I spotted this Great Blue Heron flying across the marsh.

Green Heron on a Gray Day

I read a report of warblers at Terrapin Nature Park, so I headed out early despite threatening skies and the closure of the Westbound span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. I was lucky that didn’t cost me more time. It did rain, off and on, and it wasn’t much of a day.

Great Crested Flycatcher

This Great Crested Flycatcher was active early.

Eastern Kingbird

The Eastern Kingbirds are still around, but they’ll be heading to South America soon.

Red Winged Blackbird

Red Winged Blackbird

These Red Winged Blackbirds and a few hundred companions, were hanging out at the marsh.

Unknown

I’m working on an ID for this little guy.

Carolina Wren

Carolina Wren

This ratty looking Carolina Wren was singing loudly from the highest available branch.

Orchard Oriole

There seems to be many more female Orchard Orioles than males.

Blue Grosbeak

This Blue Grosbeak will be heading South soon also.

Blue Grosbeak

This is a female Blue Grosbeak .

Black Vulture

I’ve seen Black Vultures almost everywhere I’ve been.

Green Heron

This Green Heron seemed more skittish than some.

A Slow Day at Sandy Point

I got up early on a very threatening day and headed to Sandy Point State Park. The morning was alternately sunny and very dark, and birding was very slow.
Some day I’ll figure out how this works.

Ring Billed Gull

This Ring Billed Gull was among many circling the marina, along with Ospreys and Cormorants.

Eastern Wood Peewee

This Eastern Wood Peewee was one of the few small Passerines in sight.

Starling

There are hundreds of Starlings at Sandy Point, and I usually pass them by, but it was a slow day.

Great Blue Heron

This Great Blue Heron was fishing on the jetty, and I like the look, so I left him in silhouette.

White Breasted Nuthatch

White Breasted Nuthatch

This White Breasted Nuthatch was travelling with a friend, which is unusual in my experience.

Mallard

This is a juvenile Mallard.

Eastern Kingbird

This Eastern Kingbird was hanging out in the parking lot.

Robin

Sometimes a bird seems totally indifferent to the presence of the photographer, and this Robin is a good example.

Butterfly

Some butterflies have extraordinary colors.

Cardinal

This Cardinal was in my back yard.

Yellow Billed Cuckoo in the Heat

I had to work this morning, so I didn’t get to the Nature Center until noon, and it was disappointing. Temps were close to 90 with high humidity and a slight breeze. I can usually count on seeing many birds, but they were all holed up in the shade, and I got only a few shots.
Note to self:No birding at noon on hot days.

Starling

I’ve always seen large flocks of Starlings at Greenbury Point, and now I know where they hang out: in the support beams of the large radio towers.

Great Crested Flycatcher

This Great Crested Flycatcher was one of the few birds out in the heat.

Yellow Billed Cuckoo

I noticed a newly created path at the Nature Center last week, but hadn’t taken the time to investigate it until today. I had pretty much given up on the day, so this Yellow Billed Cuckoo was a very nice surprise.

Indigo Bunting (Female)

Indigo Bunting (Female)

This female Indigo Bunting was eating rapidly.

Kingbirds and Grosbeaks

Another perfect weather day, so I went to Possum Point and got a few seabirds, then on to the Nature Center where there was a lot of activity, and one apparent Warbler I haven’t looked at yet. This afternoon I stopped at Truxtun Park and found a few birds.

Fox

This Fox was by the roadside and ignored me in my truck. I got a few shots, but the light was poor and I was too dumb to try a lower shutter speed or use the flash.

Double Crested Cormorant

Double Crested Cormorant

Double Crested Cormorant

Several flocks of Double Crested Cormorants flew overhead.

Great Blue Heron in Flight

I was lucky to capture this Great Blue Heron in flight.

Double Crested Cormorant

I often see seabirds like this Double Crested Cormorant sitting on this piling.

Downy Woodpecker

This Downy Woodpecker was on the peninsula at Possum Point, and I seldom see small birds there.

Osprey

There’s a large dead tree on Possum Point that is a favorite perch for Ospreys.

Osprey

Osprey

This Osprey has had a successful hunt.

Chipping Sparrow

This Chipping Sparrow let me get quite close and seemed indifferent to my presence.

Yellow Billed Cuckoo

I don’t see many Yellow Billed Cuckoos, and when I do they are often obscured like this one.

Great Crested Flycatcher

This Great Crested Flycatcher was eating cherries.

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

I went several weeks without seeing a Downy Woodpecker and now I’m inundated.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatchers were plentiful and active.

Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Kingbird

I saw more Eastern Kingbirds than usual, and they seemed to be forming flocks.

Blue Grosbeak

Blue Grosbeak

I didn’t know this was a Blue Grosbeak until I uploaded it to my computer.

Indigo Bunting

It takes a little luck to get a pair of birds like these Indigo Buntings.

Goldfinch

These Goldfinches seemed to be foraging for gravel.

Red Eyed Vireo

I thought I’d found a warbler, but I believe this is a Red Eyed Vireo.

Great Blue Heron

This Great Blue Heron was fishing at Truxtun Park.

Cardinal

It’s been a while since I posted a Cardinal.

Carolina Wren

This is one ratty looking Carolina Wren .

Chickadee

Titmouse

This Titmouse was part of a very noisy mixed flock of Chickadees and Titmice.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpeckers have been in short supply lately also.

Foaling Season

I returned to Terrapin Nature Park this morning in hopes of repeating yesterday’s success, but it wasn’t to be. The weather was warmer and clearer, but the bird gods were not on my side.

Deer

Deer

Yet another young deer, so my guess at foaling season must be right. I’ve now seen these in three different places.

Great Crested Flycatcher

I saw several Great Crested Flycatchers feeding in the marsh.

Red Winged Blackbird

Red Winged Blackbirds are still present in large numbers, and can be heard constantly singing in the marsh.

Red Winged Blackbird

This young Red Winged Blackbird appears to be getting his red epaulets.

Chickadee

It’s always fun to watch Chickadees feeding.

Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vultures often get a negative reaction, but they are an essential part of the ecology.


Dragonfly

This Dragonfly is new to me.

Blue Grosbeak

I tried to get closer to this Blue Grosbeak, but he flew away as I approached.

Turkey Vulture

I was amused to see all three of these Turkey Vultures drying their wings in unison.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

The female Red Bellied Woodpecker isn’t as gaudy as her red headed mate.

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpeckers seemed to be more common in the Spring.

Osprey and Green Herons

The grapevine said there are Warblers at Terrapin Nature Park, so I crossed the bridge early in hopes of finding a few. I met some birders who saw a Chestnut Sided, but the best I could do was a Yellow. I did manage to get some other good shots, though.

Green Heron

Green Heron

Green Heron

This Green Heron was overlooking the marsh, and allowed me to get quite close. He flew off with a series of loud squawks. I saw him several more times at the marsh.

Osprey

Osprey

The Ospreys were very active, and several were fishing the marsh pond.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

I was lucky to spot this Ruby Throated Hummingbird .

Chickadee

Chickadee

This Chickadee was foraging in the marsh grass.

Common Tern

Common Tern

Common Tern

I believe this is a first year Forster’s Tern. There were many fishing in the marsh pond.

Carolina Wren

The colors on this Carolina Wren seemed unusually bright.

Rabbit

Some of the rabbits at Terrapin Park seem unusually tame.

Blue Grosbeak

This appears to be a female Blue Grosbeak.

Osprey

Osprey

Osprey

It’s amazing to watch these birds dive headlong into the water. This one missed his fish.

Spicebush Swallowtail

There were hundreds of butterflies around, including many of these Spicebush Swallowtails.

Orchard Oriole

The Orchard Oriole is often a willing subject.

Yellow Billed Cuckoo

I haven’t seen many Yellow Billed Cuckoos out in the open like this.

A Slow Birding Day

Virtually a wasted day. I walked the entire perimeter of Sandy Point State Park and saw virtually no small birds. Seabird numbers seemed low also.
Later, I stopped at Truxtun Park and Hillsmere Elementary with the same result. I don’t know the reason for such days.

Deer

Deer

Yet another very young deer. I don’t know anything about deer, but this seems to be the foaling season.

Osprey

Osprey

This Osprey was at Truxtun Park. In the many hours I’ve spent at Truxtun, I’ve never seen an Osprey perch here before.