Orchard Orioles at Lake Artemesia

Once again I wasn’t sure where to go, so I waited ’til I was on the road and settled for Lake Artemesia. Maybe I could have done better. I did get a few decent images, but not the variety I’m looking for.

Carolina Wren

This Carolina Wren has a tasty morsel in his beak.

Orchard Oriole

Orchard Oriole

Orchard Oriole

Orchard Oriole

Orchard Oriole

Orchard Orioles are thriving at the Lake.

Robin

This Robin has found a bountiful bush of berries.

Goldfinch

Goldfinch

Goldfinches travel about in small flocks.

Turtle

It was a good day to be a Turtle.

Great Blue Heron

This Great Blue Heron was resting on a lopsided Osprey platform.

Canada Goose

This Canada Goose family was out for an early morning swim.

Reptiles and Mammals

I got out for a while yesterday, but had a very slow day, so I didn’t post anything. Today, I went to the Eastern Shore and did better, but I’m not getting the birds I want. The turtles, rabbits and deer cooperated, but not much else.

Robin

This Robin landed quite close to me.

Cardinal

This Cardinal has found a nice stash of berries.

Goldfinch

Goldfinch

This Goldfinch and his mate were foraging on the ground.

Cowbird

I often pass by Cowbirds, but it was a slow day.


Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing

I don’t usually see Cedar Waxwings in pine trees.

Tree Swallow

Tree Swallow

This Tree Swallow has brought a nice meal for his babies.

Snapping Turtle

Snapping Turtle

I found two Snapping Turtles laying eggs.

Rabbit

I saw at least 25 Rabbits today.

Osprey 188

Osprey

Osprey

Osprey

Osprey

The Chesapeake Bay is a prolific breeding ground for Ospreys.

Snake

Snake

This snake seemed to be looking for a meal.

Wood Duck

These Wood Ducks are resting on top of their nesting box.

Deer

These Deer were not very timid.

Great Blue Heron

This Great Blue Heron was very intent on his fishing.

Cedar Waxwing at Truxtun Park

The weather looked dreadful this morning, but there appeared to be enough time and light for a quick look-see, so I went to Truxtun to see what I could find. A pair of Beavers provided a little amusement, and I saw my first Cedar Waxwing at Truxtun, but the rain began soon thereafter.
Beaver

Beaver

I watched these Beavers gnaw down some foliage and return to their den.


Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

This Red Eyed Vireo was one of the few active birds in the park.


Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing

It’s not hard to find a Cedar Waxwing, but this is the first one I’ve seen at Truxtun.

Northern Parula and More at Wooton Wetlands Preserve

If every day had light like today! If I had any sense, I’d stay home when the clouds and/or fog were too much. Anyway, the light gods were with me today, and a few nice birds cooperated with Dan P. and myself.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatchers are also nesting.


Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing

OK, it’s a lot of Cedar Waxwings. but they were everywhere! In the group of three, they were passing a single berry back and forth to each other. They did this several times.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

I’m annoyed he’s backlit, but it’s my first Ruby Throated Hummingbird of the year.

Northern Parula

Northern Parula

The Northern Parula is a handsome warbler.

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

This Indigo Bunting stayed around long enough for some good pictures.

Orchard Oriole

I couldn’t get any closer to this Orchard Oriole, but he’s here for the record.


Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroats are somewhat elusive at Wooton.


Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

I don’t recall capturing two Red Eyed Vireos in one image before.

Great Blue Heron in Flight

This Great Blue Heron flew overhead early in the day.

Peregrine Falcon at Truxtun Park.

Amid work, rain and high winds, I haven’t had much luck in the last few days. A trip to Wooton was rained out after an hour or so, and yesterday’s high winds discouraged any trips.
I got to Greenbury Point and Truxtun Park today, and, while it was better, I’m not seeing as much variety as I’d like.

Prairie Warbler

Although we found a few nice birds at Wooton, only this Prairie Warbler was willing to pose.

Cooper's Hawk

This apparent Cooper’s Hawk was at Truxtun.

Osprey

This Osprey is probably nesting at Truxtun.

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

I knew I was looking at something different as soon as I saw this Peregrine Falcon. He appears to be carrying a Barn swallow. Very exciting for me, as it’s my first Peregrine.

Great Blue Heron

This Great Blue Heron was fishing at Truxtun.

Yellow Breasted Chat

Yellow Breasted Chat

Yellow Breasted Chat

Yellow Breasted Chat

Just like last year, Greenbury is loaded with Yellow Breasted Chats.

Cardinal

This Cardinal was hanging out with the Chats.

Brown Headed Cowbird

The Brown Headed Cowbird is no one’s favorite, but he’s not bad looking.

Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Kingbirds aren’t very abundant yet.

Pied Billed Grebe at Lake Artemesia

After several slow days I decided to go back to Artemesia and see if my luck continued. It wasn’t as good, but it was an improvement over my recent forays.

Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler

The male Yellow Warbler has completed the nest and is now feeding his mate, who appears to be brooding the eggs.

Turtle

This brightly colored Turtle seems to be used to people passing by.

Tree Swallow

Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows fill the air above the lake.

Pied Billed Grebe

This Pied Billed Grebe is in breeding plumage.

Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow

I don’t often see Barn Swallows at rest.

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwings roam the park constantly.

Spotted Sandpiper

I’m more used to seeing a Spotted Sandpiper in a marsh than at a lake.

Canada Goose

These Canada Goose goslings are completely unafraid of humans.

Mallard

This Mallard was taking her ducklings out to breakfast.

Orchard Oriole

There are many Orchard Orioles at the lake.

Red Shouldered Hawk at Tawes Garden

Between the rainy, cloudy weather and work, I haven’t gottten much done in the last few days. The little time I’ve spent birding has been quite unproductive in terms of migrating birds, which is my focus at the moment.
Here’s a few images form the various places I’ve been recently.

Red Shouldered Hawk

Red Shouldered Hawk

I’ve photographed the Red Shouldered Hawk before. Look closely, and you’ll see he’s eating a frog.

Goldfinch

It’s good to see the colorful Goldfinch is back for the Summer.

Cardinal

Cardinals are plentiful everywhere.

Indigo Bunting

This Indigo Bunting is probably looking for a mate.



Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret 26

Several Snowy Egrets were fishing in this pond.

Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Kingbirds are becoming more numerous.

Cedar Waxwing

This Cedar Waxwing was gathering nesting material.

Beaver

It’s unusual for me to see this much of a Beaver out of the water.

Yellow Billed Cuckoo

I saw a large bird fly into a tree in the parking lot and snapped a couple of quick pictures. I was surprised to see it’s a Yellow Billed Cuckoo.

American Redstart at Governor’s Bridge

I had a small job to do this morning, so I got off to a latish start, but still arrived at Governor’s Bridge by 7:30.
Despite the perfect weather, warblers were a bit scarce. I met a few of the regulars who know much more than I do, and no one was doing really well. Where are the warblers?
I still managed a few decent shots, but it was hard work.
Thanks to Gail M. for all the good spotting.
Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

This Prothonotary Warbler was in the same area of the park as last time. I heard he has a nest there.

Red Eyed Vireo

If you know the song of the Red Eyed Vireo, you’ll hear it every woods around here in the Spring and Summer.

Yellow Breasted Chat

Yellow Breasted Chat

Yellow Breasted Chat

The Yellow Breasted Chat has a truly bizarre song, that always makes me laugh.

Yellow Breasted Chat

The Yellow Breasted Chat has a truly bizarre song, that always makes me laugh.

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

This Indigo Bunting was quite serene, even when surrounded by three photographers.

Northern Parula

Northern Parula

This Northern Parula was somewhat elusive, but patience paid off.

American Redstart

American Redstart

This American Redstart female was also quite elusive.

Pileated Woodpecker at Lake Artemesia

Usually I know how to make the page title, but today I did so well I wasn’t at all sure. The Pileated feeding his young was so spectacular, I went with that, but I think there are several more good images.


Pileated Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Pileated 28

Pileated Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

I was very lucky to find this Pileated with the help of my friend. I’ve seen a lot of Pileated Woodpeckers, but have never witnessed this feeding routine.

Baltimore Oriole

Even in bad light, the adult male Baltimore Oriole is a spectacular sight.

Orchard Oriole

Orchard Oriole

The immature Orchard Oriole is a nice sight also.

Frog

This Bullfrog was quite content to pose.

Turtle

This Turtle was enjoying the sunshine.

Canada Goose

Canada Goose

This Canada Goose family was having a pleasant outing.

Common Loon

Common Loon

Common Loon

I was a little surprised to see a Common Loon fishing in the lake.

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing

A large flock of Cedar Waxwings was flying from tree to tree.

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler

I watched this Yellow Warbler build his nest for quite a while.

Double Crested Cormorant

These Double Crested Cormorants were resting on an unused Osprey platform.

Common Yellowthroat

This Common Yellowthroat Warbler was the first bird I saw his morning.

Wood Duck

Wood Duck

I photographed this Wood Duck from behind a tree.

Great Egret at Terrapin Nature Park

The weather looked very good this morning, so I headed to Terrapin to see if I could find some warblers, which have been in short supply here. I had no luck with warblers, but I found a few birds who posed nicely in the excellent light.

Hermit Thrush

The Hermit Thrush has been a reliable find on my afternoon trip to Truxtun.

Cardinal

I couldn’t pass up this Cardinal in the green foliage.

Great Egret

Great Egret

I haven’t seen many Great Egrets, so this was a nice find. Note the green lores, which only occur during breeding season.

Red Winged Blackbird

Red Winged Blackbirds are numerous in every marsh.

Snowy Egret
Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egrets were also fishing in the marsh pond.

Blue Grosbeak

Blue Grosbeak

Blue Grosbeak

Blue Grosbeak

Blue Grosbeak

The female showed up while the male Blue Grosbeak was singing his courtship song.

Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Kingbirds are becoming regular sights.

Eastern Towhee

Eastern Towhee

I heard this Eastern Towhee long before I saw him.

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

This Indigo Bunting is also looking for a mate.