White Crowned Sparrow at Terrapin Nature Park

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Hugh

Good weather and good birds for a change. Terrapin was jam packed with small, migrating birds today, some too close to photograph. I actually used my smaller lens on a few, as they were too close. The only difficulty today was choosing which bird to capture, and then second-guessing my choice.

A hawk likely left this Northern Flicker feather ( And many more) on the beach path.

Golden Crowned Kinglets are much less common than their Ruby Crowned cousins.

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

I found Common Yellowthroats well into November last year.

Flycatchers aren't as common as they were last week.

If I'd been a little faster, I'd have a better image of this Snowy Egret

I like the look of a Chipping Sparrow.

My sister will welcome the return of the Dark Eyed Junco.

Yellow Rumped Warblers are more colorful in the Spring.

Song Sparrows will be common all Winter.

The White Throated Sparrow is another Winter resident.

This first Winter White Crowned Sparrow doesn't have his adult coloration yet.

Downy Woodpecker at Governor Bridge Natural Area

Posted on October 19, 2014 by Hugh

A disappointing day. Windy and cold, and not much action at all.

This Tufted Titmouse was feeding along with a flock of Chickadees.

Downy Woodpeckers can be found in just about any park.

Today's bugs.

Northern Harrier at Sands Road Park

Posted on October 18, 2014 by Hugh

Another day of good weather, and I had planed to got to Quiet Waters,but it gets crowded on the weekend, so I decided to give Sands Road another try. For an ideal place, it’s been bit hit and miss. I didn’t find a lot of birds, but there were a few new ones.
A butterfly showed up as well.

Sands Road is a good place for Field Sparrows.

The Song Sparrow is the sparrow I see most often.

Swamp Sparrows often stay deep in the brush.

I haven't seen a Ruby Crowned Kinglet since the Spring.

This Golden Crowned Kinglet is also a first of season bird.

Several Flycatchers were foraging alongside the sparrows.

Not a great shot, but I don't see many Northern Harriers. This is a female.

I spotted this Sulfur Butterfly as I was leaving.

Red Bellied Woodpecker at Terrapin Nature Park

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Hugh

Perfect weather returned today, so I took a chance on Terrapin. While I didn’t see anything unusual, the light was very good, and a nice variety was on hand.

I saw a lot of Ruby Crowned Kinglets, but it was tough to get a decent shot.

Three Snowy Egrets were fishing in the marsh pond.

These Mallards flew right over my head.

Northern Flickers are more numerous now.

Many Yellow Rumped Warblers were foraging near the beach.

This Flycatcher was feeding vigorously.

Red Winged Blackbirds have been scarce lately.

I was lucky to get shot of this distant Cooper's Hawk.

This male Red Bellied Woodpecker seemed to be sunbathing.

Great Egret at Wooton’s Landing

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Hugh

I decided to try Sands Road again this morning, despite the clouds and light sprinkles. It was disappointing, with very little activity, so I went up the road to Wooton, which wasn’t much better.

Swamp Sparrow

Yellow Rumped Warblers can be found everywhere now.

This Great Egret was foraging solo.

Swamp Sparrow at Greenbury Point

Posted on October 14, 2014 by Hugh

I hadn’t been to Greenbury Point in a while, and I noticed yesterday that Possum Point was re-opened, so I gave it a try this morning.
There wasn’t a lot of action at the point, but I found a few birds in the brush.
A brief look for bugs didn’t produce anything of note.

This Field Sparrow was enjoying the sunshine.

This Common Yellowthroat will winter in Central America, Mexico or the Bahamas.

This Song Sparrow will probably stay for the Winter.

I believe this is the first Swamp Sparrow I've seen at Greenbury Point.

Palm Warbler at Sands Road Park

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Hugh

After a couple days of ugly weather it was good to get out again. I read a report that Sands Road was good, so I went there early this morning. Others read the same report, so I was surprised to see 5-6 cars, as I usually have the place to myself. The birds were present in numbers and very active. I may go back very soon.

This Northern Mockingbird greeted me as I entered the park.

I saw a lot of sparrows, including this Chipping Sparrow.

This Common Yellowthroat is an adult male.

Dozens of Palm Warblers were feeding in the weeds.

Black Throated Green Warbler at Terrapin Nature Park

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Hugh

The bird drought ended today. While it wasn’t a bonanza, at least I got a few decent shots, and I saw some nice birds that didn’t pose. I expect things to get better from now on.
The sunshine brought out a few nice bugs, as well.

I'm seeing more Northern Mockingbirds lately.

Yellow Rumped Warblers will be easy to find for a while.

This Canada Goose was with a small flock.

This is a female Red Bellied Woodpecker.

This may be the same late migrating Osprey.

This Black Throated Green Warbler is heading South.

Today's bugs.

Great Egret at Wooton’s Landing.

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Hugh

Another day of perfect weather but damn few birds. I did see a couple of interesting subjects, but I wasn’t in a position to get a decent shot. I don’t recall a string of bad luck as long as this one.

You can usually count on a Carolina Chickadee when the other birds are scarce.

This Great Egret was the only wading bird I saw.

Swamp Sparrow at Governor Bridge Natural Area

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Hugh

The skies were gloomy this morning, but the weatherman promised clearing later, so I went off early. He got it right, and a few migrants showed up to make the morning worthwhile.
Bugs are getting harder to find.