Bald Eagle at Possum Point

Slow birding for a couple of days. I went to Quiet Waters and Thomas Point yesterday and saw virtually nothing. Today I tried Possum Point first, then Thomas Point and didn’t so a whole lot better. Quite a change from the abundance of the last two years.

Bufflehead

I saw this Bufflehead at Thomas Point yesterday.

 

Ring Billed Gull

This Ring Billed Gull was at Possum Point.

Double Crested Cormorant

Double Crested Cormorant

You can usually see Double Crested Cormorants flying in and out of the cove in the morning.

 

Herring Gull

Another noisy Herring Gull.

 

Bald Eagle

This Bald Eagle was quite distant.

Gadwall at Thomas Point

It was a promising morning, warm enough and fairly clear skies. Possum Point was disappointing, with no ducks at all, and very few birds of any kind.

Thomas Point was much more active, with hundreds of ducks flying  about and a coupe of good photo ops.

The theory is that the coming bad weather will bring us more birds. We’ll see.

 

Herring Gull

Herring Gulls are often quite noisy.

Gadwall

I haven’t seen many Gadwalls at Thomas Point.

 

Ruddy Duck Ruddy Duck

Ruddy Duck

I don’t often get flight shots of Ruddy Ducks.

Double Crested Cormorant

This Double Crested Cormorant was the only image I got at Possum Point.

 

Tundra Swan

 

Tundra Swan 93

 

Tundra Swan

There are probably 30-40 Tundra Swans wintering in the area.

Canvasback

A large flock of Canvasbacks flew off shortly after I arrived.

Bufflehead at Thomas Point

It was a glorious Winter day, with temps in the 50s and clear skies, but a serious lack of cool birds.

I found a few at Possum Point, then went to Thomas Point. where there were fewer ducks, quite far from shore.

 

Bufflehead

Only a few Buffleheads were present.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpecker

This female Red Bellied Woodpecker was very intent on finding breakfast.

Song Sparrow

Song Sparrows thrive at Thomas Point.

Ring Billed Gull

I’m not a gull fan, but the Ring Billed Gull is beautiful in flight.

Possum Point

Dawn at Possum Point.

Carolina Wren at Thomas Point

Very foggy this morning. I had to work, so I got to Possum Point late, but it was a waste of time as the visibility was so poor.

A quick trip to Thomas Point turned up a few birds,  but nothing of note.

 

Carolina Wren

Carolina Wrens are not camera shy.

Tundra Swan

You usually find Tundra Swans in shallow water.

Ring Billed Gull

Ring Billed Gulls often fly quite close to me.

Song Sparrow

Song Sparrow often forage in the rocks along shore.

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrows are regulars at Thomas Point.

Sanderling at Sandy Point

The morning was surprisingly clear, given that snow was forecast.
I had to work near Sandy Point, so I made a quick stop on the way home. There were very few ducks, but a small flock of Sanderlings flew in as I was leaving, and landed virtually at my feet.

Ring Billed Gull

You’ll almost always find a Ring Billed Gull at Sandy Point.

Lesser Scaup

Lesser Scaup

Lesser Scaup

Lesser Scaups were the only ducks I saw.

Sanderling

Sanderling

Sanderling

Sanderling

Sanderling

Great Blue Heron at Possum Point

There was a lot of ice on the water this morning, which surprised me. I was hoping it would concentrate the ducks, but there weren’t as many as previously. A few flew out of the cove, but I couldn’t get good images.
A quick stop at Jonas Green Park turned up a couple of birds.

Ruddy Duck

This Ruddy Duck was foraging within 15 feet of me.

Possum Point
Possum Point 7

Possum Point

Looking West from Possum Point.

Black Backed Seagull

A favorite hangout for Black Backed Seagulls.

Bald Eagle

I saw this Bald Eagle at Jonas Green Park.

Great Blue Heron

I haven't seen many Great Blue Herons lately.

Peregrine Falcon at Possum Point

It was very cloudy this morning, and there wasn’t much activity at the point. I spent some time watching a raft of Ruddy Ducks, and was rewarded with a raiding falcon.
I also stopped at Thomas Point, where the ducks seem to be returning, but not close enough for good photos yet.

Surf Scoter

My first Surf Scoter of the year flew right over my head.

Ruddy Duck 77

Ruddy Duck

Ruddy Ducks will often let you get very close.

Ruddy Duck

Ruddy Ducks will often let you get very close.

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Wikipedia:The peregrine is renowned for its speed, reaching over 320 km/h (200 mph) during its characteristic hunting stoop (high speed dive), making it the fastest member of the animal kingdom.' An exciting find for me. It's only the fourth Peregrine I've seen.

Canvasbacks at Possum Point

It was sunny and warm enough this morning, and I decided to give Possum Point another try. It wasn’t as good as yesterday, but I got a few decent images and the Canvasbacks were a first for the year.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

I had to chase this Red Bellied Woodpecker for a while.

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

The Bald Eagles continued fishing this morning, but didn't stay as long.

Tundra Swan

This Tundra Swan was the only bird I found at Thomas Point.

Redhead

Redhead

The Redheads are still foraging near the marina.

Canvasback

I almost missed this flock of Canvasbacks, who flew low out of the cove.

Bald Eagles at Possum Point

Where to go? It’s a daily decision, and there’s usually no obvious answer. I know I’ll be out 3-4 hours, and I prefer short travel times, but I’ll sometimes go further.
In any case, I chose Possum Point this morning, and it was the right choice.
I was greeted by the resident Hermit Thrush, then was treated to a fishing showcase by two Eagles. A few more ducks rounded off a very nice morning.

Redhead

Redhead

Redhead

These may be the same Redheads I saw a few days ago.

Ruddy Duck

Ruddy Ducks have been missing f or a while, so It was nice to find a few.

Common Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye

I saw my very first Common Goldeneye at Possum Point about three years ago.

Turkey Vulture

The Turkey Vulture is another bird I usually ignore, but this one flew right over my head.

Double Crested Cormorant

Double Crested Cormorants are common here, but they fly quickly, so you have to be ready when they take off.

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle 343

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

I saw two Bald Eagles when I arrived, and it was a thrill to see them fishing so close to my position.

Hooded Merganser at Thomas Point

It was cloudy this morning, but sunshine was promised and eventually came.
I started at Quiet Waters, which was dead except for two foxes on the ice, who scampered away before I could get there.
Thomas Point was slow also, but the mergansers were a welcome sight.

American Crow

I got this image while sitting in my truck

Bufflehead 169

Bufflehead

There were more Bufflehead than usual.

Tundra Swan 88

Tundra Swan

Tundra Swan

Tundra Swan

I usually see Tundra Swans in the cove, but these were at the point.

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrows are abundant in the brush.

Ring Billed Gull

Ring Billed Gulls are nearly always feeding near the point.

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebes usually feed right at the point.

Hooded Merganser

6 Hooded Mergansers were feeding in the cove.