Blue Angels at Truxtun Park.

The Blue Angels made their annual visit for USNA graduation last week, and I went to the park near my home to get a closer look.

They make two runs each year, the first being a rehearsal the day before USNA graduation. That  run was in very poor light, and the images were hardly worth viewing. The following day was much better.

Blue Angels 54Blue Angels 42Blue Angels 43Blue Angels 44Blue Angels 45Blue Angels 46Blue Angels 47Blue Angels 48Blue Angels 49Blue Angels 50Blue Angels 51Blue Angels 52Blue Angels 53

Willet at Bombay Hook NWR.

It’s getting to be very late in migration, which means birds will be getting harder to find for a while. In past years I’ve avoided Bombay Hook in late Spring, as the bugs are supposed to be quite fierce. I may have been lucky, but I didn’t have a problem.

I didn’t see much in the way of warblers, but shore birds were present in good numbers. Least Sandpipers were foraging in the thousands.

I found a large bird at Bear Swamp Pool, which I hadn’t seen before, and it’s been ID’d as a Willet, It’s named for the sound of its call.

Purple Martin 2018-9 Purple Martin 2018-8

Purple Martin 2018-7

There’s a large Purple Martin colony at the visitor center.

 

Eastern Kingbird 2018-7

Eastern Kingbirds are nesting at Bombay Hook.

Bald Eagle 2018-37 Bald Eagle 2018-36

Bald Eagle 2018-39

I saw more Bald Eagles than usual today.

Least Sandpiper 2018-4 Least Sandpiper 2018-5 Least Sandpiper 2018-3

Least Sandpiper 2018-6

Thousands of Least Sandpipers were feeding on the mudflats.

Goldfinch 2018-2

Goldfinch 2018-1

Goldfinches are common along the road.

Tree Swallow 2018-23

Tree Swallows are thriving at Bombay Hook.

Black Necked Stilt 2018-5

Black Necked Stilt 2018-6

I found only a few Black Necked Stilts.

Blue Grosbeak 2018-1

Blue Grosbeaks seem to hang out close to the water.

Great Blue Heron 2018-20

Many Great Blue Herons were fishing in the marsh.

Great Egret 2018-12

Dozens of Egrets were foraging in the shallow water.

Snapping Turtle 30

Snapping Turtle 31

This Snapping Turtle was moving quickly though the mud.

 

Orchard Oriole at Blackwater NWR.

It appears we’re going to have a few good days now, so I took off for Blackwater this morning and did well. I was surprised at the lack of wading birds, especially egrets and herons, but there were enough others to keep life interesting.

I spent more time at the visitor center than usual, and it paid off. No matter how many times you visit a place, there’s always more to learn.

Blackwater Dawn 49

Blackwater Dawn.

Eastern Kingbird 2018-5

Eastern Kingbird 2018-6

This Eastern Kingbird was gathering nesting material.

Red Headed Woodpecker 2018-6 Red Headed Woodpecker 2018-5 Red Headed Woodpecker 2018-4

Red Headed Woodpecker 2018-7

The Red Headed Woodpeckers were very active.

Eastern Towhee 2018-3

This Eastern Towhee was at Greenbury Point.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird 2018-1

This Ruby Throated Hummingbird was also at Greenbury Point.

Orchard Oriole 2018-6

Orchard Oriole 2018-7

Orchard Orioles are nesting near the visitor center.

Turtle 79

Snapping Turtle 29

Turtles will be easy to find for a couple of months, as they look for paces to lay theri eggs.

 

Common Loon at Lake Artemesia.

The unsettled weather seems to be ending. We’ve had rain,clouds and serious winds for several days, which kept me almost completely out of action.

I decided on Artemesia as it was a weekend and traffic is considerably lighter as a rule. As I get older, I dislike traffic even more.

Artemesia was good to me, if not a bonanza. The Loon was a nice surprise, and a friend pointed out a couple of snakes, which I seem to miss most of the time. A few other cooperative birds made for a decent morning.

I stopped at Truxtun Park in the afternoon and found a couple of birds as well.

House Sparrow 2018-2

House Sparrow 2018-3

I don’t often pay much time attention to House Sparrows, but this brightly colored Spring male caught my eye.

Canada Goose 2018-29 Canada Goose 2018-28

Canada Goose 2018-26

Canada Goslings are numerous at this time of year.

Canada Goose 2018-25 Canada Goose 2018-24 Canada Goose 2018-23

Canada Goose 2018-27

Several Canada Geese were bathing at Truxtun Park.

Eastern Kingbird 2018-4

This Eastern Kingbird was flycatching at Lake Artemesia.

Wood Duck 2018-33

Wood Ducks with chicks will soon be numerous at Artemesia.

Eastern Kingbird 2018-3

Eastern Kingbird 2018-4

This Eastern Kingbird was flycatching at Lake Artemesia.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher 2018-5

A Blue Gray Gnatcatcher was singing loudly.

Red Winged Blackbird 2018-12

Red Winged Blackbird 2018-13

When you picture a MD marsh, you have to include numerous Red Winged Blackbirds.

Mallard 2018-22

A Mallard has temporarily left her nest.

Canada Goose 2018-26

Canada Goslings are numerous at this time of year.

Mallard 2018-21

There’s a few Mallards at every lake.

Common Loon 2018-5 Common Loon 2018-4

Common Loon 2018-6

When I find a Common Loon I always spent too much time trying to get the best look.

Eastern Box Turtle 6

Eastern Box Turtle 5

I found this Eastern Box Turtle crossing the road and gave him a hand.

Turtle 78

This Painted Turtle was sunning at Lake Artemesia.

Black Rat Snake 5

This Black Rat Snake stayed in the same spot for an hour or more.

Rough Green Snake 3

I don’t see Rough Green Snakes often.

Mandarin Duck at a Friend’s House.

A friend posted some photos of a Mandarin Duck she found in her yard, and I was so intrigued I drove over in the rain and commuter traffic to try to get a look.

It paid off. One of these beautiful birds was in Edgewater a few years ago, and I didn’t get a look at the time, so this was a good day.

A couple of other birds made the trip very worthwhile.

Spotted Sandpiper 2018-6

I was lucky to find this Spotted Sandpiper in the rocks near shore.

Mallard 2018-20

I don’t recall seeing a duckling eat a worm before.

Mandarin Duck 2018-2 Mandarin Duck 2018-1

Mandarin Duck 2018-3

A Mandarin Duck, often called the most beautiful of the ducks. Probably an escapee from a zoo, or a pet, as they are natives of Asia.

Dunlin at Bombay Hook NWR.

It’s been slow birding for nearly  a week. We had some rain as well, so I’m getting behind. I managed to get out a little bit, so I’m including a compilation of my trip to Bombay Hook and a few lecent local images.

I’m still not finding warblers like I want to, but at least I’m seeing a few migrants.

Indigo Bunting 2018-3

Indigo Bunting 2018-4

Indigo Buntings are reliable at Greenbury Point.

Great Crested Flycatcher 2018-2 Great Crested Flycatcher 2018-1

Great Crested Flycatcher 2018-3

I’ve always liked Great Crested Flycatchers.

Tree Swallow 2018-21

Osprey 2018-19

This Osprey was at CBEC.

Great Egret 2018-10Great Egret 2018-9Great Egret 2018-8

Great Egret 2018-11

Great Egrets are also here in numbers.

Semipalmated Plover 2018-1

Semipalmated Plover 2018-2

I found these Semi-Palmated Plovers at Terrapin.

Eastern Bluebird 2018-9 Eastern Bluebird 2018-8

Eastern Bluebird 2018-10

I used to see many more Eastern Bluebirds than I’m finding recently.

Yellow Warbler 2018-3

I would have liked better lighting for this Yellow Warbler.

Snowy Egret 2018-2

Snowy Egrets are plentiful now.

Tree Swallow 2018-22

Treer Swallows are thriving everywhere I go.

Sandpiper 2018-1

I don’t often see Least Sandpipers on the road.

Black Necked Stilt 2018-3

A few Black Necked Stilts were feeding on the flats.

Bald Eagle 2018-35

You can usually find a few Bald Eagles at Bombay Hook.

Mute Swan 2018-4 Mute Swan 2018-3

Mute Swan 2018-5

Mute Swans are considered pests, and I don’t see many near the bay any more.

Red Winged Blackbird 2018-11

It wouldn’t be a marsh without Red Winged Blackbirds.

Common Yellowthroat 2018-3

Common Yellowthroat 2018-2

You’ll often find Common Yellowthroats near the water’s edge.

Marsh Wren 2018-2

This Marsh Wren is a first for me.

Eastern Bluebird 2018-9

Eastern Bluebird 2018-8

Eastern Bluebird 2018-10

I used to see many more Eastern Bluebirds than I’m finding recently.

Dunlin 2018-1

Dunlin 2018-2

I’ve seen Dunlins before, but not this close.

Eastern Box Turtle 6

Eastern Box Turtle 5

I saw this Eastern Box Turtle crossing the road, and gave him a hand.

Blackpoll Warbler at Wooton’s Landing.

After yesterday’s good luck, it made sense to try Wooton again. It wasn’t as good, but I found a few good birds that made it worthwhile.

As is often true during migration, I found a couple of other birders at Wooton, and both Dave and Brad were very helpful. They can hear warblers much better than I can.

I made a short stop at Sands Road, as I often do when visiting Wooton.

I’m already wondering where to go tomorrow.

Indigo Bunting 2018-2

I found this Indigo Bunting at Sands Road Park.

Yellow Warbler 2018-2

This Yellow Warbler led me a merry chase before I got a decent image.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher 2018-4

There seem to be fewer Blue Gray Gnatcatchers than in previous years.

Orchard Oriole 2018-4

This Orc hard Oriole was also at Sands Road.

Yellow Billled Cuckoo 2018-1

This Yellow Billed Cuckoo was the first bird I found this morning.

Blackpoll Warbler 2018-1

Blackpoll Warbler 2018-2

I seldom see Blackpoll Warblers, even during migration.

 

Little Blue Heron at Wooton’s landing.

I heard a good report about Wooton, so I made the trek and got there around sunrise. I saw a Fox run into the bushes, and a quick look around suggested there were some birds to be found.

I spent about 2 hours on the lower trail and searching the pond near the river, and got some good results. I suspect there were many more interesting birds than I found, but the foliage gets thick in places, and the birds are quick. I’ll probably go back very soon.

Prothonotary Warbler 2018-3

Prothonotary Warbler 2018-2

Several Prothonotary Warblers were feeding near the marsh ponds.

Indigo Bunting 2018-1

I found this Indigo Bunting at Sands Road.

Orchard Oriole 2018-3

This Orchard Oriole was also at Sands Road.

Orchard Oriole 2018-2

Common Yellowthroat 2018-1

Wooton is a good place to find Common Yellowthroats.

Yellow Rumped Warbler 2018-4

A few Yellow Rumped Warblers are still lingering.

Solitary Sandpiper 2018-1

Two Solitary Sandpipers were feeding in the pond near the river.

Tree Swallow 2018-20

These Tree Swallows are preparing to mate.

Yellow Warbler 2018-1

This is a female Yellow Warbler.

Little Blue Heron 2018-2 Little Blue Heron 2018-1

Little Blue Heron 2018-3

Today’s prize: I have seen only a few Little Blue Herons, and most of them were juveniles. This is my second adult.

 

Black Billed Cuckoo at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

Migration is well under way, but the warblers continue to evade me. I’ve been lucky enough to find a few interesting migrants, but others are finding pockets of warblers that I’m not.

I got out to some old spots in the last few days, and birds were relatively scarce in general. It’s still relatively early, though, so I may get lucky soon. In the meantime I’ll settle for the few good birds that came my way.

Tri-colored Heron 2018-1

I found this Tricolored Heron at CBEC this morning. It’s rare for this time of year.

Green Heron 2018-3

Green Herons are noisy birds who will announce their presence if alarmed.

Least Sandpiper 2018-1

A small flock of Least Sandpipers was foraging at Terrapin.

Veery 2018-1

I found this Veery at Truxtun Park. A rare bird for me.

Red Eyed Vireo 2018-1

I didn’t see many Red Eyed Vireos last year.

Swamp Sparrow 2018-1

This Swamp Sparrow was at Governor Bridge.

Magnolia Warbler 2018-1

My only good warbler so far this year, a male Magnolia Warbler.

Black Billed Cuckoo 2018-2

Black Billed Cuckoo 2018-1

The Black Billed Cuckoo is somewhat threatened. They nest north of here. I’ve only seen two of these birds, and the other was at Governor Bridge, a hundred yards from this one.

Baltimore Oriole at Buddy Attick Lake Park.

The dearth of migrants has continued for several days, now, along with so-so weather. Today was a big improvement, but warblers are still among the missing, so far.

I’ve managed a few outings, recently, but haven’t had enough good material for a post. I’m including several days of photos today.

The Chat, the Oriole and the Gadwall were all good finds and may bode well for the future.

Lake Artemesia 103

Lake Artemesia.

Mallard 2018-19

There’s always a few Mallards around.

Wood Duck 2018-31

This Wood Duck has 8-9 chicks.

Eastern Kingbird 2018-1

This is only the second Eastern Kingbird I’ve seen this year.

Gadwall 2018-3

It’s quite unusual to see a Gadwall around here at this time of year.

Pied Billed Grebe 2018-5

 

Pied Billed Grebe 2018-6

This Pied Billed Grebe seems to be a little late to migrate.

Canada Goose 2018-20 Canada Goose 2018-19

Canada Goose 2018-22

I’ve seen several Canada Geese with goslings.

Yellow Breasted Chat 2018-1

I found this Yellow Breasted Chat at Greenbury point.

Tree Swallow 2018-19

This Tree Swallow was gathering nesting material at CBEC.

Brown Thrasher 2018-1

A Brown Thrasher at CBEC.

Catbird 2018-1

My FOS Gray Catbird.

Osprey 2018-17 Osprey 2018-16

Osprey 2018-18

The CBEC Ospreys are still nest-building.

Purple Martin 2018-5

This Purple Martin is at Blackwater.

Orchard Oriole 2018-1

An Orchard Oriole singing for a mate.

Red Winged Blackbird 2018-10

Red Winged Blackbirds are singing in every marsh.

Bald Eagle 2018-32 Bald Eagle 2018-34 Bald Eagle 2018-31

Bald Eagle 2018-33

These Bald Eagles were enjoying the morning Sun.

Yellow Rumped Warbler 2018-3

Yellow Rumped Warblers have mostly left the area.

Palm Warbler 2018-7

Palm Warblers were everywhere for a few days.

House Sparrow 2018-1

I don’t often post House Sparrows.

Cardinal 2018-8

Cardinals seem to be singing from every tree.

Fox 95 Fox 96 Fox 97

Fox 98

This Fox has found a Muskrat for breakfast.