Momma Wolf Spider at Governor Bridge Natural Area

I was thinking of going to Woooton this morning, but made a last minute change and went to Governor Bridge.
It was cool this morning, with good light, and a few birds cooperated.
I started bug hunting early, and found some nice stuff right away, including a spectacular spider and a nice Black Racer.

Eastern Phoebe

It seems to me I’m seeing fewer Eastern Phoebes than last year.

Eastern Towhee

It took a while to locate this Eastern Towhee even though he was singing loudly.

Red Eyed Vireo

I saw several Red Eyed Vireos foraging in pairs.

Blue Grosbeak

Blue Grosbeaks breed at Governor Bridge.

Common Yellowthroat

This Common Yellowthroat was also serenading.

Grasshopper 25

Grasshopper 24

Grasshopper 23

Dragonfly 51

Insect 187

Insect 189

Insect 188

Harvestman 3

Today's bugs.

Today’s bugs.

Black Racer

Black Racer

This Black Racer is probably the same one I’ve seen twice before.

Wolf Spider

Wolf Spider

This is the largest Wolf Spider I’ve seen in MD.
Wikipedia:”Wolf spiders resemble Nursery web spiders (family Pisauridae), but wolf spiders carry their egg sacs by attaching them to their spinnerets (Pisauridae carry their egg sacs with their chelicerae and pedipalps). Two of the Wolf spider’s eight eyes are large and prominent, which distinguishes them from the Nursery web spiders whose eyes are all of approximately equal size. This can also help distinguish them from grass spiders.”

White Eyed Vireo at Governor Bridge Natural Area

The good weather ended abruptly yesterday, and today wasn’t much better. Gray and cloudy isn’t a recipe for good birding and so it went. Only a few birds were about, and it was hard to get a pose from them.
The cool weather slowed the bugs down and allowed me some good images.
White Eyed Vireo

White Eyed Vireo

This White Eyed Vireo was looking for breakfast.

Insect 183

Insect 182

Crane Fly 1

Moth 24

Moth 23

Insect 181

Grasshopper 22

Praying Mantis 24

Spider 108

Insect 180

Spider 107

Crane Fly 2

Ladybug 16

Damsel Fly 6

Insect 186

Insect 185

Today's bugs.

Today’s bugs.

Wood Ducks at Governor Bridge Natural Area

It was partly cloudy and cool this morning, and I didn’t have plan, so I headed to Governor Bridge to try to do as well as last time. The birds weren’t as cooperative, but there were plenty of bugs to look at.

Turtle 33

Turtle

This turtle might have been looking for a place to lay eggs.

Indigo Bunting

There are many Indigo Buntings at Governor Bridge.

Northern Cardinal

I’m not sure how this Northern Cardinal got so wet.

Wood Duck

Wood Duck

Wood Duck

Wood Duck

Wood Duck

Wikipedia:”Their breeding habitat is wooded swamps, shallow lakes, marshes or ponds, and creeks in eastern North America, the west coast of the United States and western Mexico. They usually nest in cavities in trees close to water, although they will take advantage of nesting boxes in wetland locations if available. Females line their nests with feathers and other soft materials, and the elevation provides some protection from predators.[5] Unlike most other ducks, the wood duck has sharp claws for perching in trees and can, in southern regions, produce two broods in a single season—the only North American duck that can do so.”

Insect 174

Insect 176

Insect 170

Insect 171

Spider 106

Grasshopper 20

Insect 172

Grasshopper 21

Moth 21

Insect 173

Moth 22

Insect 178

Insect 177

Today's bugs.

Today’s bugs.

Flower 18

And a couple of flowers.

And a couple of flowers.

Scarlet Tanager at Governor Bridge Natural Area

The perfect weather continued today. I had thought thought stay closer to home today, but I felt inspired by the weather, so I set out for Bowie.
I was very pleasantly surprised to find the Tanager right away, and few others posed as well.
Bug hunting was productive also.

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireos are heard throughout the parks.

Common Yellowthroat

This Common Yellowthroat looks a bit bedraggled.

Blue Grosbeak

Blue Grosbeaks should be easier to find from now on.

Wood Duck

I don’t often find Wood Ducks in the water at Governor Bridge.

Cedar Waxwing

I found small flock of Cedar Waxwings.

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

This Scarlet Tanager came back to the same tree several times. The yellow one is a female.

Harvestman 2

Insect 164

Insect 163

Insect 162Crane Fly Close Up.

Insect 161

Insect 160

Insect 159

Insect 158

Insect 157

Insect 156

Insect 155

Insect 154

Today's bugs.

Today’s bugs.

Cedar Waxwing at Schoolhouse Pond

It was another perfect morning, so I decided to head back to Schoolhouse Pond to try and see something different. It was not to be. Some good birds have been seen there, but nothing special today.
I stopped at Governor Bridge on the way home and found a few bugs.

Great Blue Heron

Several Great Blue Herons were fishing in the lake.

Mallard

This Mallard hen was protecting her duckling.

Chipping Sparrow

I usually see Chipping Sparrows on the ground.

Tree Swallow

Tree Swallows were actively hunting all over the lake.

Cedar Waxwing

Two flocks of Cedar Waxwings were fly hunting near the lake.

Largemouth Bass

This fisherman caught a nice Largemouth Bass.

Moth 17

Insect 151

Dragonfly 47

Dragonfly 49

Zebra Swallowtail 9

Insect 152

Dragonfly 50

Today's bugs.

Today’s bugs.

Beaver

This Beaver was enjoying an early morning swim.

Northern Black Racer

I was surprised to this large Northern Black Racer in this bush.

Orchard Oriole at Wooton Wetlands Preserve

Another perfect Spring day and I was at Wooton by 6:30. I had the whole place to myself for most of the morning.
I found a few birds on the lower trail, then spent some time with the bugs on the upper trail.
In the afternoon I went to Quiet Waters and found a few more bugs.
Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

This Prothonotary Warbler landed quite near me.


Wood Duck

Lousy light, but this is my first Wood Duck with young.

Flycatcher

Flycatcher

Someday I’ll figure out which Flycatcher this is.

Orchard Oriole

Orchard Oriole

I’m not seeing as many Orchard Orioles as last year.

Moth 16

Insect 147

Insect 148

Insect 149

Spider 104

Beetle 6

Caterpillar 65

Spider 105

Today's bugs.

Today’s bugs.

Common Loon at Lake Artemesia

The weather was nearly perfect today, so I set out for Lake Artemesia early.
I didn’t find as many species as I’d hoped, but I saw a few nice birds.
Bug hunting was limited.

American Coot

The American Coot is a Rail, with weird feet.

Robin

My neighbor found this Robin’s nest.

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwings were feeding throughout the park.

Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow

Barn Swallows were feeding on the lake.

Tree Swallow

Tree Swallow also like the lake.

Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Kingbird

My best Eastern Kingbird of the year.

Common Loon

Common Loon

Common Loon

I usually find Common Loons by themselves.

Praying Mantis 23

Insect 156

Leafhopper 14Broad Headed Sharpshooter

Butterfly 18Eastern Blue Tailed Butterfly

Today's Bugs.

Today’s Bugs.

Yellow Billed Cuckoo at Governor Bridge Natural Area

I had planned a trip to LAke Artemesia this morning, but it began raining shortly after I left.
I pulled into Governor Bridge to wait out the rain, which took about 45 minutes.
The birds were active, and I found a few good ones.
The bug hunt was slow.

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrows can be found in the big field.

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warblers are nesting at several places.

Cedar Waxwing

I haven’t gotten a good look at a Cedar Waxwing in a while.

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireos are one of the most common birds in our area.

Yellow Billed Cuckoo

Yellow Billed Cuckoo

I heard this Yellow Billed Cuckoo before I saw him.

Snake

I saw this snake in exactly the same place yesterday.

Turtle

This Turtle was in no hurry.

Insect 154

Dragonfly 46

Insect 155

Today's bugs.

Today’s bugs.

Blackpoll Warbler at Governor Bridge Natural Area

Another chilly morning. I had planned to go to Greenbury Point, but the USNA graduation week crowd made me change my mind.
There was a fair amount of early activity, but it was overcast and the birds were high in the foliage. I did manage a few decent shots anyway.
The bug hunt was slow until the Sun came out in mid-morning.

Indigo Bunting

This Indigo Bunting was at the big lake.

Orchard Oriole

Orchard Orioles are regulars at Governor Bridge.

Blackpoll Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler

This Blackpoll Warbler was a nice find, as I haven’t seen many.

Caterpillar 64

Insect 151

Leaqfhopper

Leafhopper

Insect 153

Today's bugs.

Today’s bugs.