About Hugh

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Tricolored Herons at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.

Posted on August 15, 2019 by Hugh

Ebird has a deal going where you make 20 visits to the same place in a month and you win some kind of prize, so I’m going for it. August can be a slow month, so at least this gives me a plan for the next week or so. CBEC has been steadily improving, so it may work out well.

There were many Egrets today, but the stars were the two Tricolored Herons, who finally gave me a chance to get a decent shot. I expect we’ll be seeing a few warblers before the month is out.

I stopped at Kent Narrows, also, but the place was overrun with fishermen.

Ebird checklist https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59004620

CBEC Dawn.

The Forster’s Terns were fishing well within camera range today.

Many Great Egrets were fishing in Lake Knapp this morning.

Only a few Great Blue Herons were present.

Snowy Egrets were well represented.

In the last several years I’ve noticed that Eastern Kingbirds seem to form small groups before migrating.

I finally got a good look at this Tricolored Heron.

Black Crowned Night Heron at Kent Narrows.

Posted on August 14, 2019 by Hugh

I drove right past Sandy Point this morning, as there was no visible light on the horizon.

Kent Narrows was the same, but there were a couple of birds fishing who allowed me to get some portraits.

From there I went to CBEC. There was no interesting sunrise color there, either. but 3 Tricolored Herons flew in while I was there. Many Geese and many Egrets were a nice sight.

I ran into three separate Turkey families, and learned a little more about their behavior.

If I were a better photographer, I would have seen the possibilities of the background colors.

So, Turkeys forage in trees and they like to take dust baths! This is an interesting hobby.

I saw two Chickadees this morning.

These Canada Geese seem to be having a restful morning.

Three Tricolored Herons flew in at dawn, and there wasn’t enough light to get a good shot.

This Great Blue Heron was fishing at Kent Narrows also.

I’ve seen this Black Crowned Night Heron at Kent Narrows several times.

Yellow Warbler at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.

Posted on August 11, 2019 by Hugh

It’s still August, and the birding doldrums continue as usual. Migration is happening at least a little, because some birds, like Chats, have disappeared, and a few new ones are starting to appear, like Sandpipers.

I’ve been sticking to a routine: Check out Sandy Point for sunrise pics, possible migrating birds, Kent Narrows for a backup, then CBEC for a finale. Sometimes I check out Greenbury Point, as well.

Turkeys have been a frequent treat-I have more Turkey images this year than in all other years combined. Kingbirds, Terns, Ospreys and others are active at the moment, and I can feel a few warblers in the near future.

CBEC Dawn, looking across Lake Knapp.

Early morning Ospreys.

Canada Geese at dawn.

These Eastern Kingbirds are moving through the area.

Many Eastern Kingbirds are on the move.

As soon as the mudflats appear, you can count on sandpipers like these Least Sandpipers.

Least Sandpipers do this wing flap thing often as they are feeding.

A Blue Jay feather.

I know they roost in trees, but I was surprised to see this.

My first flight shot of a Robin.,

Great Crested Flycatchers seem to be on the move.

This Snowy Egret is looking for a meal.

There are many Brown Headed Nuthatches at CBEC, but getting close enough for a pic can be damnading.

A juvenile Red Headed Woodpecker in poor light.

These young Ospreys seem to be doing well.

BCEC is a real Mockingbird haven.

These Wood Peewees are passing through.

This Ruby Throated Hummingbird is fueling up for migration.

I see several Green Herons every day.

Brown Thrashers are thriving.

This is a juvenile Eastern Towhee.

This Yellow Warbler was a surprise.

I found several Eastern Box Turtles this week.

White Ibis at Bombay Hook NWR.

Posted on August 6, 2019 by Hugh

I left home around 4:30 to get to Bombay Hook near sunrise. There was a light fog most of the way, which makes for a delightful drive. For even more fun, the main road to the refuge has no lane markings, and the road blends right into the fog. I’ve actually written the Delaware Highway Department about this, but never got an answer.

Birds to the left of me… There were many hundreds of birds in Raymond Pool, including all the usual suspects and a White Ibis and a Tricolored Heron. Many Terns were fishing.

I made the loop three or four times, and chatted with a few fellow photographers. There was good light and good action all morning.

I always spend too much time trying to get a good Tern shot.

These are juvenile drake Wood Ducks.

This Seagull has found a nice fish,.

Many GLossy Ibises were feeding alongside the other wading birds.

Several Laughing Gulls were fishing with the Terns

Hundreds of Great Egrets were visible.

American Avocets were very active.

Two Mute Swans were slowly paddling about.

Many Great Blue Herons were foraging in the area.

A single Blue Grosbeak was singing by the roadside.

American Avocets were feeding quickly.

This was White Ibis was close enough, but the light was difficult.

Forster’s Terns at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.

Posted on August 1, 2019 by Hugh

I’ve got more Turkey images this year than all previous years combined. I spoke to the CBEC Admin today, and she says there’s another flock, with smaller chicks that I haven’t seen yet. Entertaining birds.

The Osprey chicks are fledging, and I may have seen a first flight yesterday. I’ll check tomorrow to see if they’re both flying. Brown Thrashers and Great Crested Flycatchers were also very active today. The Red Headed Woodpeckers were having an aerial in the pines, which was fun to watch.

I’ve gotten three cool birds there in the last week, so maybe my luck will continue.

Dawn, looking across the lake.

This Osprey flew just about the right path to get a shot.

I encountered this flock of Wild Turkeys twice as I circled the lake.

This Mockingbird has found a good breakfast.

I’ve never encountered this many Brown Thrashers (About 6-8) in close proximity before.

This Great Crested Flycatchers popped up a couple of times.

It appeared to me that the bird on the left had his first flight today.

Several Forster’s Terns were feeding in the lake. It’s a spectacular sight if you get the right vantage point.

I encountered this young buck at close range.He had his back to me, but took off like a rocket when he saw me.

Tricolored Heron at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.

Posted on July 31, 2019 by Hugh

The love affair with CBEC continues. The Tricolored Heron flew in as I was walking nearby, otherwise I might have missed it. Terrible light for a photo, but a rare bird.

Otherwise, it was a usual kind of day with Ospreys learning to fly, Egrets fishing in the lake and Red Headed Woodpeckers loudly calling.

I made a brief stop at Greenbury Point on the way back. I did hear a Yellow Billed Cuckoo, but there wasn’t much else interesting.

Dawn at Kent Narrows.

Looking across the lake.

Osprey nest at dawn.

If you arrive at dawn, you may find some Wild Turkeys.

There’s at least two small groups of Wild Turkeys at CBEC.

The Great Crested Flycatchers at CBEC have always been hard to photograph.

I caught this Chipping Sparrow as he took off.

These first year Ospreys will be flying very soon.

Occasionally, a Crow will pose for you.

I don’t often see a Red Headed Woodpecker in a live tree.

This is a female Red Winged Blackbird.

I’ve heard there are Pine Warblers at CBEC, but I seldom see them.

A few Great Egrets have been visiting.

Hopefully, this Tricolored Heron will pose in better light next time.

This Fox greeted me at dawn.

Yellow Throated Warbler at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.

Posted on July 29, 2019 by Hugh

Hot, humid weather has continued. Any day that includes a life bird is likely to be a good day. The YT Warbler has eluded me for years, so even a poor image will do.

I’ve been spending most of my time at CBEC because it’s open early and has a good variety of birds. The warbler was most unexpected, and other birds have been appearing, so it’s been a worthwhile journey.

I’ll include several days worth of images here, as I’m a bit behind on posting.

I’ve been stopping at Kent Narrows to check out the dawn horizon.

A family of 4 Red Headed Woodpeckers is nesting near the boat racks.

This Red Winged Blackbird is grooming her feathers.

The owners tell me there are several Turkey families at CBEC.

There’s at least 4 Green Herons foraging at CBEC.

4 Canada Geese seem to be spending the Summer at CBEC.

Only a few Snowy Egrets have been apearing.

This is only the second Orchard Oriole I’ve seen at CBEC.

A single Great Egret flew over the lake.

2 Osprey chicks have successfully fledged.

Several Eastern Kingbirds are busy feeding in the treetops.

It’s a poor image, but my first look at a Yellow Throated Warbler.

This Fox and I rounded the corner simultaneously.

An original scarecrow protects the garden.

Wild Turkeys at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.

Posted on July 26, 2019 by Hugh

I started at Sandy Point again, and quickly decided it was going to be a dull sky. It’s the hour before dawn that makes the best photos, so I headed to Kent Narrows in hopes of better conditions. I found a more attractive sky and a nice Heron.

I got to CBEC around dawn, and looked around for the Turkeys, who weren’t in sight. When I got to the end of the path near the grandstand, I saw a Turkey tail disappear around the corner, and walked rapidly toward the area. I got another glimpse, but began to think I had been unlucky, when I saw the Turkeys and a distant figure, who turned out to be Diana, fellow birder and photographer. We spent several minutes photographing the birds, who were unusually cooperative. These are the minutes that make the heat, the early hours and the frequent frustration worthwhile. I suspect if we were all privileged to see nature in action, it would be a better world.

We circled the lake and found the Red Headed Woodpecker and several other birds, including Brown Headed Nuthatches, who have been scarce recently.

I’m including images from other outings in the past week or so.

Dawn at Kent Narrows.

It’s quite dark at Kent Narrows when I arrive, and this Black Crowned Night Heron is living up to his name.

Yellow Breasted Chats will be heading South soon.

The Greenbury Indigo Bunting isn’t usually this cooperative.

Ebird flagged this Red Headed Woodpecker as “infrequent”.

Great Crested Flycatchers are often hard to find at CBEC.

This Cardinal photo illustrates how bright the Sun was.

Wild Turkeys! It’s always a treat to find these birds.

A poor look at an Eastern Kingbird.

Brown Headed Nuthatch, a little too far away.

Two Snowy Egrets were fishing in the lake.

A dozen Canada Geese were hanging out with the Egrets.

Diana Linnekin, MD Nature photographer.

Wading Birds at Bombay Hook NWR

Posted on July 24, 2019 by Hugh

It’s been two weeks since I posted anything here. This is the worst time of year for birding in MD. Most birds have finished nesting, some are even heading South by now. The Tree Sparrows at CBEC seemed to vanish overnight.

It’s also been damn hot, and I’ve been quitting early for several days.

In any case, I found a few decent birds, and here’s the images.

The marsh is filled with the sound of Red Winged Blackbirds.

Many Purple Martins are still nesting.

Many Great Egrets were visible in the pools.

I counted 40 or more Glossy Ibises.

The center bird appears to be a Little Blue Heron.

I saw only one Eastern Kingbird today.

Two Great Crested Flycatchers were foraging in the marsh.

This Great Blue Heron seems to have lost his head.

American Avocets started showing up an hour after dawn.

Many Forster’s Terns were feeding in the pools.

Seaside Sparrow at Bombay Hook NWR.

Posted on July 10, 2019 by Hugh

I was ready for another trip, so I headed to Bombay Hook this morning in hopes of more shorebirds. I did find a few, but they’re not here in numbers yet.

I found a few birds yesterday I’m including here.

I managed to get a much better image of the Seaside Sparrow, and I found few reflections and some flowers.

All in all, a decent expedition.