Wilson’s Warbler at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Hugh

It was cloudy this morning, so I didn’t get to Terrapin until nearly 7:00. It started clearing up right away, so my timing was good.

There was plenty of migrant activity, but they were moving quickly and I didn’t get as many good images as I wanted. There were very few wading birds, which seems a little odd to me.

I stopped by Sandy Point on the way home and found a few Terns, which are beginning to be a favorite.

Seagull, goofing on the beach.

This Laughing Gull was bathing at Sandy Point.

Only a few Royal Terns are at Sandy Point.

About 10 Caspian Terns are spending time at Sandy Point.

This Barn Swallow was flying in an oval pattern, so I was able to get some flight shots.

I found this Brown Thrasher at Terrapin.

This Red Eyed Vireo is probably a migrant.

American Redstarts are still appearing in large numbers.

The poor light make this Yellow Warbler look too dark.

This is only my second Wilson’s Warbler, and the last one was at Terrapin as well.

Bald Eagle at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on September 4, 2017 by Hugh

It’s still slow around here-I went to Terrapin yesterday and didn’t get a single image worth looking at. I found a few Terns at Sandy Point, but that’s nothing new. The bug hunt at Quiet Waters was much better.

The weather was near perfect, but Blackwater hasn’t picked up much, despite the cooler weather. I was hoping to find some migrants, but I didn’t have any luck.

It was still a good day, and I got a few photos worth looking at.

This is another juvenile Red Headed Woodpecker.

Blackwater is very popular with Forster’s Terns.

This Green Heron was content to sit and soak up the Sun.

I haven’t found a Common Yellowthroat in quite a while.

Only a few Great Egrets remain at Blackwater.

I turned just in time to see this Bald Eagle catching a small fish.

Yesterday’s bugs.

This Five Lined Skink was more cooperative than most.

Red-necked Phalarope at Sandy Point State Park.

Posted on September 3, 2017 by Hugh

We’ve had a little rain the last couple of days, so I haven’t been able to get out in the morning, my preferred time for photography.

I did manage to find a few bugs in the afternoon, and then I got an email about a rare bird at Sandy Point yesterday, so I made the trip despite the rain and traffic.

The Red-necked Phalarope was right where he was reported to be, and very cooperative,so I got some nice images. I don’t usually chase these rarities, but this one was close and worth the effort.

There are still 20 or so Caspian Terns at Sandy Point.

This sequence shows a Royal Tern apparently picking up, then dropping a stick.

This Red-necked Phalarope was foraging in small circles, as described by the Audubon guide. Audubon: “Phalaropes reverse the usual sex roles in birds: Females are larger and more colorful than males; females take the lead in courtship, and males are left to incubate the eggs and care for the young. Red-necked Phalaropes nest around arctic tundra pools and winter at sea. During migration they pause on shallow ponds in the west, where they spin in circles, picking at the water’s surface. However, most apparently migrate offshore, especially in the east. Despite their small size and delicate shape, they seem perfectly at home on the open ocean.”