Muscovy Duck at Jonas Green Park

I arranged to meet Graeme at Greenbury Point this morning to try out his 1000mm Nikkor lens. It’s awesome, but it will take some practice to get sharp images.
I spent most of the time at Jonas Green, when the pickin’s were somewhat slim, but the light was good and I got some decent shots, including the Muscovy, which is a first for me.Muscovy Duck

Muscovy Duck

Wikipedia:
The Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) is a large duck native to Mexico, Central, and South America. Small wild and feral breeding populations have established themselves in the United States, particularly in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, as well as in many other parts of North America, including southern Canada. Feral Muscovy Ducks are found in New Zealand and have also been reported in parts of Europe.
They are a large duck, with the males measuring about 76 cm in length, and weighing up to 7 kg. Females are considerably smaller, and only grow to 3 kg, roughly half the males’ size. The bird is predominantly black and white, with the back feathers being iridescent and glossy in males, while the females are more drab. The amount of white on the neck and head is variable, as well as the bill, which can be yellow, pink, black, or any mixture of these. They may have white patches or bars on the wings, which become more noticeable during flight. Both sexes have pink or red wattles around the bill, those of the male being larger and more brightly colored.
Although the Muscovy Duck is a tropical bird, it adapts well to cooler climates, thriving in weather as cold as −12°C (10°F) and able to survive even colder conditions.[3][4] In general, Barbary Duck is the term used for C. moschata in a culinary context.”

Dark Eyed Junco

Dark Eyed Juncos were feeding in the grassy areas.

House Finch

House Finch

This female House Finch is the first I’ve seen at the park.

Downy Woodpecker

Several Downy Woodpeckers were flitting about the park.

Double Crested Cormorant

Fooling with Photoshop.

Double Crested Cormorant

Double Crested Cormorant at Dawn.

Crow

This Crow was declaiming loudly from the highest perch in the park.

Ring Billed Gull

Ring Billed Gulls often pass over the park.

Cooper's Hawk

This is likely the same Cooper’s Hawk I spooked yesterday. He may be roosting overnight under the old bridge.

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker at Jonas Green Park

I headed back to Jonas Green this morning for a quick look, and ended up staying for quite a while. Many birds were active and I got a few nice images. I then went to Greenbury Point and walked most of the perimeter with very little action. Sometimes it’s hard to figure this birding stuff out.

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker

I don’t see many Yellow Bellied Sapsuckers.

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

This pale Chipping Sparrow may be a first year bird.

Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinals abound at the park.

Bluebird

Bluebird

Bluebird

Bluebird

The Bluebird population is thriving.

Yellow  Rumped Warbler

Yellow Rumped Warblers aren’t as numerous as they were.

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrow

This White Throated Sparrow was filling up on berries.

Song Sparrow

Song Sparrow

This Song Sparrow landed in a bush right next to my truck.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpeckers were also very active this morning.

Mockingbird

I don’t recall getting two Mockingbirds in one shot before.

Dark Eyed Junco

Dark Eyed Junco

I saw more Dark Eyed Juncos than usual today.

House Sparrow

I liked this House Sparrow’s pose.

Goldfinch

Goldfinch

A small flock of Goldfinches was foraging in the park.

Cooper's Hawk 98

Cooper's Hawk 96

Cooper's Hawk

Cooper's Hawk

I spooked this Cooper’s Hawk when I first arrived.

Bald Eagle at Jonas Green Park.

So, I buy a new camera (Nikon D3200) and the weather turns to crap for three days. Go figure.
I finally got out today, and I went back to Jonas Green in hopes of finding the Peregrine again . He didn’t appear, but two Bald Eagles put on a soaring show, and a few others appeared to make the bitter cold day worthwhile.

Double Crested Cormorant

Several small flocks of Double Crested Cormorants were on the Severn River.

Carolina Wren

Carolina Wren

I heard this Carolina Wren for a couple of minutes before I spotted him.

Cardinal

Cardinal

Several Cardinals were feeding in the bushes.

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Two Bald Eagles, probably a pair, were soaring gracefully at the river’s edge.

Song Sparrow

Song Sparrows were foraging in the woods.

Downy Woodpecker

I almost always find a Downy Woodpecker at the park.

Squirrel

This Squirrel was hanging out on my back fence.

Peregrine Falcon at Jonas Green Park

My new D3200 camera arrived yesterday, and I was determined to try it out, or I wouldn’t have left the house in today’s Arctic weather. Temps must have been in the very low 20s, and the wind chill was significant. I decided to stay local, and Jonas Green Park is quite close, so I stopped there. I was lucky enough to find two accipiters riht away. I then headed to Greenbury Point, where a half hour walk left me without a single image.

Peregrine Falcon

This Peregrine Falcon lives under a nearby bridge, and I was lucky to be in position to get this shot.
Cornell:
“Powerful and fast-flying, the Peregrine Falcon hunts medium-sized birds, dropping down on them from high above in a spectacular stoop. They were virtually eradicated from eastern North America by pesticide poisoning in the middle 20th century. After significant recovery efforts, Peregrine Falcons have made an incredible rebound and are now regularly seen in many large cities and coastal areas.”

Cooper's Hawk

This Cooper’s Hawk was looking for breakfast in the park.

Brant at Sandy Point State Park

The weather seemed iffy last night, but I awoke to nearly cloudless skies and decided to visit Sandy Point, where some decent seabirds have been seen lately. I’m not really a seabird guy, but it seemed like a pilgrimage I should make.
The Brant was easy enough to find, and I wandered through most of the main part of the park and found a few other birds as well. A young beaver gave me my best photos of this species yet.

Beaver

Beaver

Beaver

Beaver

This Beaver was in a small pond near the marina and was much less shy than most.

Red Tailed Hawk

Red Tailed Hawk

I saw this Red Tailed Hawk as I was leaving the park.

Red Winged Blackbird. 59Red Winged Blackbird

Ring Billed Gull 22Ring Billed Gull

Northern Flicker

Northern Flicker

I don’t see a lot of Northern Flickers in the open like ths one.

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

This Downy Woodpecker, like most, isn’t shy when he’s foraging.

Brant

Brant

Brant

Cornell:
“An abundant small goose of the ocean shores, the Brant breeds in the high Arctic tundra and winters along both coasts. The Brant along the Atlantic have light gray bellies, while those off the Pacific Coast have black bellies and were at one time considered a separate species.”

Northern Harrier at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctury

It was the kind of gray, gloomy and threatening day that was a toss-up, but I went to Jug Bay anyway. The web site said they were “Inundated” with dabblers, but I sure didn’t find them.
A couple of birds cooperated, but it was nearly a complete waste of time.

Tundra Swan

Tundra Swan

Tundra Swan

I saw one small flock of Tundra Swans.

Northern Harrier

Northern Harrier

This Northern Harrier was the best bird of the day.

Bluebird

This Bluebird was hanging out near the feeders.

Black Duck

Black Duck

This Black Duck was the only dabbler I saw.

Bald Eagles and More at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.

It’s been a long day. Blackwater is a 3 hour round trip, and I stayed about 4 hours, so I’m just going to post a few images and finish up tomorrow. It was a bit early for the best birds, so I’ll probably go back in a few weeks.

Yellow  Rumped Warbler 129

Yellow  Rumped Warbler 128Yellow Rumped Warbler

Sparrow 11Savannah Sparrow

Northern Pintail 18Northern Pintail

Northern Harrier 23

Northern Harrier 22

Northern Harrier 21Northern Harrier

Bald Eagle 189Bald Eagle

Seagull 2Seagull

Northern Shoveller 19

Northern Shoveller 18Northern Shoveler

Great Blue Heron 144

Great Blue Heron 142Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle 190

American White Pelican 4American While Pelican

American Coot 19American Coot

Dark Eyed Junco at Governor Bridge Natural Area

The weatherman as calling for rain today, but it looked mighty fine to me, so I set out for Thomas Point. That was a major disappointment. Nary a duck to be seen, and hardly any small birds were willing to pose.
I decided to try Governor Bridge, and it wasn’t much better, ‘though it was so warm I had to remove my jacket. I know we’ve had warm days in November, but this latest streak strikes me as unusual.

Starling

I’m not a Starling guy, but they do have some nice colors.

Song Sparrow

Song Sparrows hang out in the rocks at Thomas Point.

Dark Eyed Junco

Dark Eyed Junco

You’ll often find Dark Eyed Juncos in the gravel paths.

Bufflehead

Buffleheads are the only ducks at Thomas Point right now.

Bluebird 149

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrows are still flocking everywhere I go.

Winter Wren at Governor Bridge Natural Area

Anyone with common sense would have stayed home today. Gray and gloomy skies with a threatening look held very little promise, but I went anyway.
I found a few birds right away, but went close to an hour before finding a few more candidates. I’m glad I went, but I’ll think twice next time.

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrow

This White Throated Sparrow was foraging near the lake.

Dark Eyed Junco

Dark Eyed Junco

I saw more Dark Eyed Juncos than previously.

Field Sparrow

This Field Sparrow was a nice find.

Carolina Wren

This Carolina Wren was one of the few bird who posed in good light.

Winter Wren

Winter Wren

This is only the second Winter Wren I’ve found.

Brown Creeper at Jug Bay Wetlands Center

I wasn’t sure where to go today, until I remembered Jug Bay opens early on Fridays. I thought the winter birds would have started arriving in larger numbers by now, but I was wrong. Still, I found a few nice birds and the light was good.
I’ll go back in a couple of weeks and see if things improve.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpeckers were seen in several places.

Pileated Woodpecker

I found this Pileated Woodpecker at Quiet Waters yesterday.

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Herons are a little harder to find in the Fall.

Golden Crowned Kinglet

I was lucky to get a shot of this fast moving Golden Crowned Kinglet

Northern Flicker

Northern Flickers are easier to find now.

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpeckers are very entertaining as they forage in the branches.

Northern Cardinal

This Northern Cardinal posed in a colorful place.

Brown Creeper

I don’t often get decent light for a Brown Creeper.

Bald Eagle

I saw two immature Bald Eagles this morning.

American Coot

American Coot

This American Coot was foraging by himself.

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker

This Yellow Bellied Sapsucker was the first bird I saw this morning.

Tundra Swan

Tundra Swans are just arriving in our area.

Red Tailed Hawk

Red Tailed Hawk

Red Tailed Hawk

Red Tailed Hawk

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