Sunrise at Sandy Point was a little better than average this morning, and I found a couple of ducks as well. Not a bad start.

Terrapin Nature Center continues to be below average, with nowhere near the diversity of previous years. Kent Narrows was no better. This once reliable spot has been nearly deserted this year.

CBEC was a bit better, but I’m not seeing the diversity of previous visits.

It’s a weird year, and I don’t know why.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This Great Blue Heron was fishing near the blind at Terrapin.

This Scaup drake and a hen were at Sandy Point.

In previous years I didn’t see Tundra Swans in the lake.

The only ducks at Terrapin were Mallards.

This is the third time I’ve seen Northern Pintails at CBEC.

The snow is gone and the unseasonably warm weather is back. There’s been an ongoing, minor dispute about early morning access to Sandy Point, which has been resolved. The park isn’t really open until 7:00 AM, except for fishing, so I’ve been slipping under the radar for a while. Park management has finally agreed that photography is as legit as fishing, so I’m good to go.

I was a bit late for the best part of sunrise this morning, but it turned out OK.

There wasn’t much at Possum Point, but I found a few small birds. Jonas Green and Thomas Point are still practically devoid of interesting waterfowl.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This Mockingbird greeted me at the point.

A few White Throated Sparrows were foraging in the grass.

I saw several Downy Woodpeckers.

Since there’s not much to see locally, I made the trek to Blackwater this morning. It’s in Cambridge, which is about a 90 minute trip.

I’ve been there many times, and this may have been the least productive trip of all. There were no more ducks there than here, and that’s unusual at this time of year. I assume the warm weather has something to do with it.

I saw a number of eagles, but none were willing to pose. Lots of Mallards, Snow Geese, Canada Geese and a few distant American White Pelicans. A single Kestrel stayed around long enough for an image.

A somewhat disappointing trip, but better than I’ve been doing around here.

Entrance to the visitor Center at Blackwater. My first visit here was over 40 years ago.

The observation platform.

You’ll see Canada Geese anywhere you go on the Eastern Shore.

American White Pelicans rest in this exact spot every year.

A few American Wigeons were also at Oakley Street.

A small flock of Canvasbacks was hanging out at Oakley Street.

American Kestrels are often found on roadside wires.

Several Great Blue Herons were fishing in the marsh.

Thousands of Snow Geese were resting in the marsh.