Blue Jay at Quiet Waters Park

I had to work this morning, so I had only an abbreviated trip to Quiet Waters, where there were virtually no birds to be seen. A Fox appeared on the way over, though.
I only found a few bugs, and they weren’t worth the time to photograph, so, better luck next time.

Fox

I saw this Fox by the side of the road as I was leaving my appointment.

Blue Jay

I think this Blue Jay took pity on me, as he was the only bird I saw worth the effort.

Phladelpha Vireo at Governor Bridge Natural Area

Halcyon days continue. Another dawn foray to Governor Bridge produced a life bird for me, and more than a few warblers were around. I didn’t get many shots, but it was a good day to be a birder.
I found only a few interesting bugs.

Beaver

This Beaver was swimming by dawn’s early light.

 

Solitary Sandpiper

I haven’t seen a Solitary Sandpiper in this spot before.

Philadelphia Vireo

Philadelphia Vireo

The Philadelphia Vireo was first discovered near Philadelphia, hence the name. This is a life bird for me.

Assassin Bug 108

Grasshopper 73

Spider 212

Spider 213

Today’s bugs.

Common Yellowthroat at Wooton’s Landing.

Another day of perfect weather, but the migrants passed me by. I spent quite a bit of time searching the bushes, but the few possibilities I saw were well hidden. I was lucky to get the Yellowthroat.
Very few bugs around also.

Carolina Chickadee

Carolina Chickadees will stay through the Winter.

Eastern Phoebe

There are still a few Eastern Phoebes around.

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

This Common Yellowthroat was the only warbler I spotted today.

Spider 211

The only bug worthy of a photo today.

Northern Paula at Governor Bridge Natural Area

We’re having an amazing run of excellent weather. I got to Governor Bridge early, as usual, and didn’t have to wait long. Birds started appearing right away, and I stayed busy for about two hours.
Insect hunting was slow, and the cooler weather is probably at fault.

White Eyed Vireo

White Eyed Vireo

This White Eyed Vireo was the first bird I saw this morning.

Tennessee Warbler

Tennessee Warbler

Tennessee Warbler

Tennessee Warbler 106

Tennessee Warbler

I’m seeing more Tennessee Warblers than usual.

Northern Cardinal

This Northern Cardinal was enjoying the sunshine.

House Finch

There’s a large flock of House Finches at Governor Bridge.

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroats are still hanging around.

Rose Breasted Grosbeak

The Rose Breasted Grosbeak migration is in full swing.

Blackburnian Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

The Blackburnian Warbler is even more colorful in the Spring.

House Wren

This House Wren was a surprise.

Northern Parula

Northern Parula

Northern Parula

Northern Parula 67

Northern Parula

I saw more Northern Parulas today than at any other time.

Northern Parula

Northern Parula

Scorpionfly 10

Wasp 72

Katydid Nymph 2

Locust Borer 104

Arrow Shaped Micrathena 8

Spider 210

Assassin Bug 107

Today’s bugs.

Rose Breasted Grosbeak at Terrapin Nature Park

It was cool and cloudy this morning, but I decided to return to Terrapin to see if could do as well as last time. It didn’t turn out that way. In fact, It was downright barren of birds, and I was lucky to get the Grosbeak.
Insect were slow as well, but a few spiders were around.

Rose Breasted Grosbeak

Rose Breasted Grosbeak

I had nearly given up when this Rose Breasted Grosbeak landed near me.

Crab Spider 3

Crab Spider 4

Crab Spider 5

Tussock Moth Nymph 5

Insect 644

Leatherwing 5

Insect 643

Today’s bugs.

Sawinson’s Thrush at Governor Bridge Natural Area

What a day! Near perfect weather and birds in abundance. I haven’t seen a Sawinson’s Thrush for a long time, and several warblers posed well. Other birds were cooperative as well.
A weird bug topped the day.

Brown Thrasher

This Brown Thrasher stayed in place for several minutes.

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

I don’t recall seeing this many Magnolia Warblers in past years.

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanagers continue to migrate.

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

Lots of Red Eyed Vireos today.

Cape May Warbler

Cape May Warbler

Cape May Warbler

Cape May Warblers are heading to the Caribbean and South America.

Northern Cardinal

This female Northern Cardinal will winter near here.

Swainson's Thrush

Swainson’s Thrush is not particularly striking, but I haven’t seen many.

Rose Breasted Grosbeak

This Rose Breasted Grosbeak is a female.

Blackburnian Warbler

Blackburnian Warblers are very striking in the Spring.

Monkey Slug Moth Caterpillar

This bizarre looking dude is a Monkey Slug Moth Caterpillar.

Warbling Vireo at Terrapin Nature Park

I went back to Terrapin this morning, as it’s always been a good place for Fall migrants. I saw my very first Warbling Vireo, and witnessed an encounter between a Black Rat Snake and a Northern Flicker. Several good birds were around.
Bug hunting wasn’t as good, but I found a few.

Northern Flicker

Northern Flicker

I was standing under a tree full of birds at Terrapin when a Flicker flew in and started making one Hell of a racket. It was actually quite startling, but I couldn’t see enough to tell what was happening. Imagine my surprise when I uploaded and examined the picture and saw a large snake having a disagreement with the Flicker. I left this full size so you can see more.

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warblers seem to be migrating on the eastern shore also.

Osprey

It’s been a while since I photographed an Osprey.

Red Eyed Vireo

The light was wrong for this Red Eyed Vireo .

Goldfinch

This Goldfinch is wearing his Winter plumage.

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpeckers are easier to find in the Fall.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher s were very active.

Blackpoll Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler 6

Not great images, but we don’t see Blackpoll Warblers often.

Beetle 103

Butterfly 36

Spider 209

Bee Mimic 108

Beetle 104

Today’s bugs.

Yellow Breasted Chat at Governor Bridge Natural Area

It was cloudy and cool this morning, with the promise of clearing and warming. The weatherman got it right, but the birds are still scarce. A late Chat made up for it, though.
A few interesting bugs made for a decent day.

Black and White Warbler

This Black and White Warbler was a little distant, but still a nice find.

Brown Thrasher

Brown Thrashers seem to be more common.

Common Yellowthroat

I’m seeing Common Yellowthroats nearly every day.

Yellow Breasted Chat

This Yellow Breasted Chat may be migrating a little late.

Insect 640

Katydid 8

Insect 642

Skipper 19

Insect 641

Caterpillar 191

Katydid 7

Spider 207

Spider 208

Today’s bugs.

House Wren at Governor Bridge Natural Area

After yesterday’s disappointing foray, I went back to Governor Bridge in hopes of finding some migrants. I didn’t get any great images, but at least there were a few good birds around.
Bugs were more cooperative as well.

Monarch Butterfly 102

Wasp 71

Beetle 102

Skipper 18

Ladybug 40

Spider 204

Spider 205

Spider 206

Today’s bugs.

Chestnut Sided Warbler

This Chestnut Sided Warbler stayed in the shade.

Northern Parula

Northern Parulas breed at Governor Bridge.

Brown Thrasher

Brown Thrasher

There was a pair of Brown Thrashers foraging near the pond.

Flycatcher

I saw a lot of Flycatchers.

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroats are fueling up for the trip South.

Cape May Warbler

Cape May Warblers are being seen everywhere.

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warblers are still abundant.

Cardinal

This Cardinal was enjoying the sunshine.

House Wren

House Wren

I don’t see House Wrens very often.

Grasshopper

Grasshopper

This Grasshopper landed on my camera and was very cooperative.

Red Eyed Vireo at Wooton’s Landing

It was just one of those days. Beautiful weather and no birds to speak of at all. I searched Wooton, along with a fellow birder, for 2-3 hours and found hardly anything at all.
I didn’t find much in the way of bugs, either.

Common Yellowthroat

This Common Yellowthroat was foraging in the marsh.

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

This Red Eyed Vireo posed nicely.

Viceroy

Viceroy

This Viceroy butterfly looks similar to a Monarch, However, a viceroy has a black line crossing the postmedian hindwing.