Dark Eyed Junco at Quiet Waters

Early morning rain was discouraging, but I had an appointment anyway. I was pleasantly surprised to see bright sunshine when I got home, so I headed to Quiet Waters to take a quick look. There were plenty of birds, and a few bugs as well.

Bluebird

Bluebird

The soft song of the Bluebird can be heard many places in the park.

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrows were foraging in small flocks.

Tufted Titmouse

This Tufted Titmouse was feeding in the trees and on the ground.

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

Ruby Crowned Kinglets

Ruby Crowned Kinglets were very active.

Dark Eyed Junco

Dark Eyed Junco

Dark Eyed Junco

My sister will be glad to see these Dark Eyed Juncos.

Double Crested Cormorant

Double Crested Cormorant

Double Crested Cormorant

This Double Crested Cormorant took off as soon as I spotted him.

Deer

Deer

I was surprised at the complacency of this deer.

Ladybug 9

Insect 80

Today's Bugs.

Today’s Bugs.

Cooper’s Hawk at Greenbury Point

Yet another fine Fall day, even if it does make you wonder if it’s a bit too warm for this time of year. Quiet Waters is closed on Tuesdays, but gas is still expensive, so I went to Greenbury Point, which is only a few miles.
I found a nice variety of birds, and noticed that the Navy has done some extensive land clearing in order to remove some invasive plant species. They destroyed a lot of good habitat, but it may be good in the long run.

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrows will be with us until Spring.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

I often see Red Bellied Woodpeckers in this large tree near the Nature Center.

Field Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Field Sparrows lost a lot of habitat in the clearing process.

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Phoebe

This Eastern Phoebe has found a nice meal.

Cowbird

There were several Cowbirds soaking up the rays in a large tree.

Cooper's Hawk

I saw several Cooper’s Hawks and a Bald Eagle when I first arrived.

Carolina Wren

This Carolina Wren was singing loudly.

Bluebird

Bluebird

Bluebird

Bluebird

Bluebird

The Navy has put a lot of effort into promoting the Bluebird population.

Yellow  Rumped Warbler

Yellow  Rumped Warbler

Yellow  Rumped Warbler

Yellow  Rumped Warbler

Yellow Rumped Warblers are present in large numbers.

Yellow Throated Vireo at Quiet Waters Park

Another perfect Fall day. It was about 45 degrees when I left the house around 7:30, and steadily warmed to the high 50s. I didn’t have much luck early, but the area around Holly Pavillion was quite active. The Vireo was an unexpected find, and a few other birds posed nicely.
A quick search turned up no bugs at all.

Blue Jay

Blue Jay

Blue Jay

This Blue Jay seemed curious about what I was doing.

 

 

Yellow  Rumped Warbler

Yellow  Rumped Warbler

Yellow Rumped Warblers are so common at the moment that I’m only looking at the ones who are close.

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrows forage in small groups.

Yellow Breasted Chat 61 Yellow Breasted Chat 60 2

Yellow Breasted  Chat 59

This Yellow Breasted Chat is a late migrant.

Song Sparrow

Song Sparrows are the sparrow I see most often.

A Trio of Sparrows at Quiet Waters Park

I went to QW yesterday without finding much, and today was only a little better. Gorgeous weather isn’t enough, it seems.

Song Sparrow 36

Song Sparrow

 

Chipping Sparrow 39

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

The Chipping Sparrow grows on you.

 

Blue Jay

Blue Jay

Several Blue Jays were feeding in this tree.

Song Sparrow

I usually see more Song Sparrows than any other.

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrows can be found in many small flocks.

Today's Bug.

Today’s Bug.

Blue Headed Vireo at Quiet Waters Park

Blackie, our adopted stray cat, awoke me at 4:00 this morning, so I had to kill 3.5 hours until sunrise. Pigged out on online pool.
I went back to Quiet Waters to save some gas money and see if it was as good as yesterday. It was. Lots of birds were feeding where the sun first hit the treetops, and Holly Pavillion was as active as yesterday.
Bug hunting was near fruitless.

Yellow  Rumped Warbler

Yellow  Rumped Warbler

Yellow Rumped Warblers ignore the photographer when they’re feeding.

 

 

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrow

A small pool of water attracted White Throated Sparrows as well as many other birds.

 

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpecker

This Red Bellied Woodpecker landed in a bush quite close to me.

Palm Warbler

Palm Warbler

I believe this is the first Palm Warbler I’ve seen at Quiet Waters.

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Phoebes are abundant at the moment.

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpeckers are found everywhere in the park.

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

The Chipping Sparrow might be best described as “Handsome.”

Field Sparrow

Field Sparrows are less numerous than other sparrows.

Blue Headed Vireo

This Blue Headed Vireo is a late migrant.

Today's Bug.

Today’s Bug.

Black Throated Blue Warbler at Quiet Waters Park

Junco 37

I awoke to the promised rain this morning, and glumly faced the chores that I’ve been avoiding. After a few cups of coffee, and a bout of online pool, however, the Sun popped out. I quickly gathered my gear and headed for Quiet Waters Park, which is quite close to home.
I was really looking for early ducks when I noticed a lot of small birds near one of the pavilions, and settled in to watch. There was more variety than I expected, including the above warbler and the year’s first Dark Eyed Junco.
I stopped at a promising patch of weeds on the way out and found a few bugs, also.

Eastern Towhee

Eastern Towhee

Eastern Towhee

Eastern Towhee

Eastern Towhee

This pair of Eastern Towhees will be heading South soon.

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Phoebe

This Eastern Phoebe will also be leaving soon.

Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinal

This pair of Cardinals will be with us all year.

Blue Jay

Blue Jay

Blue Jay

I don’t often get such good looks at a Blue Jay.

Black Throated Blue Warbler

Black Throated Blue Warbler

The Black Throated Blue Warbler is one of my favorites, and I was afraid I’d go all Fall without seeing one.

Yellow  Rumped Warbler

In the Spring, the Yellow Rumped Warbler is much more colorful.

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrow

These White Throated Sparrows will probably be with us ’til Spring.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

The Red Bellied Woodpecker is easier to spot when the leaves fall.

Dark Eyed Junco

Dark Eyed Junco

Dark Eyed Juncos are just arriving from Canada and points West.

Fly 5

Assassin Bug 6

Insect 76

Insect 75Today’s Bugs.

Red Tailed Hawk at SERC

I had an appointment this morning, so I didn’t get to SERC until 10:00. Although the weather was quite nice, the birds just didn’t cooperate. I suspect I was too late for the best action.

Golden Crowned Kinglet

A small flock of Golden Crowned Kinglets was foraging high in the pine trees.

Red Tailed Hawk

Red Tailed Hawk

Red Tailed Hawk

This Red Tailed Hawk was looking for a meal in the large field.

Butterfly 19

Butterfly 18

Today's Bugs.

Today’s Bugs.

Ruby Crowned Kinglet at Wooton Wetlands Preserve

It was the coolest morning of the Fall thus far, and sunshine was promised, so I flipped a coin and went back to Wooton. I walked the entire upper trail without seeing much, but did better when I reached the ponds. I spent quite a bit of time trying to get a Kinglet hovering as he gleaned from the bottoms of the leaves, and found plenty more Yellow Rumps ( known as “Butter Butts” to the insider).

Palm Warbler

Palm Warblers are quite beautiful.

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrows will be with us ’til Spring.

Northern Flicker

Northern Flickers are travelling in small flocks now.

Chickadee

Chickadees are a treat to watch.

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

Ruby Crowned Kinglets often hover under a leaf as they search for bugs.

Yellow  Rumped Warbler

Yellow  Rumped Warbler

Yellow Rumped Warblers are very active when feeding.

Flycatcher

This Flycatcher is probably an Eastern Phoebe.

Viceroy

This Viceroy butterfly is staying a bit late.

Field Sparrow at Kinder Farm Park

The weatherman got it right-clear skies and sunny, with a slight breeze. I had decided to go investigate some good birds reported at Kinder, and I got there around 7:00 AM.
I didn’t find anything exciting, but I found some sparrows I hadn’t seen in a while, and a couple of other birds.

Yellow  Rumped Warbler

Yellow  Rumped Warbler

Yellow  Rumped Warbler

Our Yellow Rumped Warbler friend is found everywhere I go.

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

Ruby Crowned Kinglets are also easy to find nowadays.

Cowbird

The much maligned Cowbird.

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrows are just arriving from Canada.

Song Sparrow

Song Sparrow

The Song Sparrow is one of our most common sparrows.

Field Sparrow

Field Sparrows are easily identified by their pink bill.

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

I haven’t seen may Chipping Sparrows this year.