Baltimore Oriole at Governor Bridge Natural Area

Cool and calm with light winds. A good day for birding, but mighty cool for late April.
I was determined to get back to Governor Bridge for some of the birds I’ve missed, and I found one. I see more trips in the future.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatchers are very busy, everywhere in the park.

Mallard

Mallard

This Mallard and her ducklings were foraging in the big lake.

Spotted Sandpiper

This is the first Spotted Sandpiper I’ve seen at Governor Bridge.

Eastern Towhee

You can hear an Eastern Towhee singing long before you see him.

Swamp Sparrow

I’m having good luck with Swamp Sparrows this year.

Swamp Sparrow

Green Heron

Green Heron

Green Heron

This Green Heron was very elusive.

Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Orioles often forage in the treetops, making close-ups difficult.

Northern Parula at Governor Bridge Natural Area

We’re getting some consistent Spring weather, so I decided to try Governor Bridge, which has been a good warbler place in the past. I found a few, but others found many more, so I’ll be heading back soon.

Red Tailed Hawk

Red Tailed Hawk

Red Tailed Hawk

This Red Tailed Hawk was hunting in the big field near the parking lot.

Mallard

Mallard

This Mallard and her ducklings were foraging in the mud.

Canada Goose

This Canada Goose is nesting in the big lake.

Mourning Dove

I thought this Mourning Dove was a Hawk when I first saw it.

Broad Winged Hawk

Not a great shot, but I haven’t seen many Broad Winged Hawks.

Red Winged Blackbird

This Red Winged Blackbird is a female.

Brown Thrasher

I don’t often see Brown Thrashers on the ground.

White Eyed Vireo

White Eyed Vireos are almost too easy to find lately.

Northern Parula

Northern Parula

Northern Parula

Northern Parula

Northern Parula

This Northern Parula was very cooperative.

Common Yellowthroat at Wooton Wetlands Preserve.

Well, I can’t complain about the weather or the birds today. I missed a couple of nice warblers, but the good light and some cooperative birds made up for it. I’l catch the other ones on another day.

White Eyed Vireo

White Eyed Vireo

White Eyed Vireos seem to be more abundant this year. I’m hearing them everywhere.

Swamp Sparrow

Swamp Sparrows are more cooperative than usual.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatchers are everywhere along the lower trail.

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrow

Why are these White Throated Sparrows still here?

Field Sparrow

Field Sparrow

I only see Field Sparrows rarely.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

I’m looking for warblers, but a Red Bellied Woodpecker will do.

Tree Swallow

Tree Swallows are numerous, but it’s hard to get them in good light.

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warblers were almost commonplace today.

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroats were also around in numbers today.

Osprey at Greenbury Point

If you’d told me I could spend the morning at Greenbury Point without seeing anything of interest, I would have disagreed.
While it wasn’t a complete waste, it was unusually barren.

House Finch

I saw this House Finch right away, which got my hopes up.

Osprey

Osprey

Osprey

Ospreys are doing very well on the Chesapeake Bay. These beautiful birds are almost commonplace in the Spring and Summer.

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’s Wetland Preserve

The good weather had me dithering about where to go, and I settled on returning to Wooton. I know there’s a some good birds there. I didn’t find the Warblers I wanted, but I did well enough.
In the afternoon I went to Truxtun Park and found a few bugs.

Eastern Cardinal

Eastern Cardinal

Eastern Cardinals are now nesting in the park.

Red Shouldered Hawk

Red Shouldered Hawk

This Red Shouldered Hawk put on a good show for me.

Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebirds are thriving everywhere I go.

White Eyed Vireo

White Eyed Vireo

White Eyed Vireos are still treating me well.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatchers are busily building nests.

Chipping Sparrow

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a Chipping Sparrow.

Tufted Titmouse

This Tufted Titmouse posed very boldly.

White Throated Sparrow

This White Throated Sparrow is staying late into the season.

Yellow  Rumped Warbler

I’m not seeing as many Yellow Rumped Warblers as I’d expect.

Swamp Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

This Swamp Sparrow is in breeding plumage.


Insect 101

Bee 18

Today's bugs.

Today’s bugs.

Lizard

I found this little guy under a log.

Flower 10

Flower 11

A few local flowers.

A few local flowers.

Bald Eagle at Wooton’s Wetland Preserve

The morning was windy and cool, which is not a favorite of mine, but I set out anyway.
The wind appeared to be keeping the birds out of sight, and it wasn’t much of a morning except for the Eagle.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatchers were the only really active migrants.

Red Winged Blackbird

I usually skip Red Winged Blackbirds because they’re so common.

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

This Bald Eagle saved an otherwise uninspiring day.

Caterpillar

These Tent Caterpillars have just emerged.

Savannah Sparrow at Greenbury Point

Rain was in the forecast, so I decided to stay close to home this morning. I haven’t been to Greenbury in a while, and the nice weather brought in a few good birds. A very cooperative hawk was a good end to a short trip this morning.

Palm Warbler

This Palm Warbler was the first bird I saw this morning.

Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebirds are doing well at Greenbury.

Savannah Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

This Savannah Sparrow was a nice find.

Red Shouldered Hawk

Red Shouldered Hawk

Red Shouldered Hawk

Red Shouldered Hawk

Red Shouldered Hawk

Red Shouldered Hawk

When I first saw this young Red Shouldered Hawk, he was on the ground, which is unusual. He seemed to be eating something, but I never saw what it was. I was able to follow him to three different perches.

Prothonotary Warbler at Wooton’s Wetland Preserve

Another chilly morning that warmed quickly and brought out the birds. It was hard to choose a place this morning, but I settled on Wooton because of the good reports.
It was the right choice, for a change. There was a lot of activity for a while, and some good birds. I missed a couple more, but I won’t be complaining today.

Green Heron

Green Heron

I took several shots of this Green Heron from a distance, and he let me get quite a bit closer.

White Eyed Vireo

White Eyed Vireo

White Eyed Vireo

This is my week for White Eyed Vireos.

Brown Thrasher

Brown Thrasher

Brown Thrasher

This Brown Thrasher is another singer who ignores the photog when he’s serenading.

Bluebird

There were many Bluebirds out today.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatchers will be plentiful until Fall.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpecker

I saw several Red Bellied Woodpeckers today also.

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

The Prothonotary Warbler is unmistakable, an almost shocking yellow flash in the trees overhead.

Mallard Ducklings at Governor Bridge Natural Area

The days are getting more Spring-like, and warblers are starting to trickle in. There were sightings at Governor Bridge yesterday, so I went to check them out.
Alas, the warblers are showing for everyone but me.
I did get a few acceptable shots, and I’ll keep trying.

Tundra Swan

Tundra Swan

Tundra Swan

These young Tundra Swans seem to be migrating late.

Pied Billed Grebe

Pied Billed Grebe

Cornell:”A small diving bird with a chicken-like bill, the Pied-billed Grebe is common on lakes and ponds across North America. It is rarely seen flying and prefers to sink out of sight when danger threatens.”

Mallard

12 Mallard ducklings. What’s not to like?

White Eyed Vireo

White Eyed Vireo

White Eyed Vireo

This White Eyed Vireo, like many singing birds, let me get quite close.

Canada Goose

This Canada Goose nest is covered in down.