After yesterday’s bonanza, I decided to try Terrapin again. It wasn’t nearly as good, but I got some good pics and a bird I don’t see often.
I spent an hour at CBEC as well, but didn’t see much at all.
I’m seeing more Great Blue Herons now.
This Tree Swallow may be feeding young.
The Ospreys were lazy today.
Snowy Egrets are still a bit sparse.
Snowy Egrets are still a bit sparse.
I haven’t seen many Rose Breasted Grosbeaks, so this was a real treat.
Where to go? There are definitely warblers in the area, but it seems to be a crapshoot. I flipped a mental coin and chose Terrapin, which has been good in previous years.
I chose well. I didn’t find any huge fallouts, but there was a good variety of migrants, and I got a couple of decent images.
I followed this Yellow Warbler for a while to get a decent image.
Several Eastern Kingbirds were flycatching near the parking lot.
A single Orchard Oriole was near the marsh pond.
Several Palm Warblers were feeding near the marsh.
This is a Yellow Rumped Warbler in breeding plumage.
Baltimore Orioles seem to be passing through in numbers.
Two Acadian Flycatchers were feeding in the big field.
This Brown Thrasher wouldn’t come into the open.
This Yellow Warbler is a male.
This Great Crested Flycatcher may stay for the season.
My first Red Bellied Woodpecker in a while.
I’ve only seen a few Catbirds so far this season.
This is a male Magnolia Warbler in breeding plumage.
Three Deer were grazing on the big field near the marsh.
It’s been a while since I posted anything. Between a week of flu and some very cold May weather, I haven’t gotten out much lately.
I’m posting a few pics from short recent trips, and more from a good trip to Lake Artemesia this morning. We’re finally getting a few migrants in decent numbers.
Lake Artemesia.
Red Winged Blackbirds were very active.
A small flock of Cedar Waxwings was roaming the lake.
A few Blue gray Gnatcatchers were foraging near the lake.
This Chickadee may be feeding young.
This Crow was watching over the lake.
This Wood Duck hen was swimming by herself.
I found this Cardinal as I was leaving.
Several Ospreys are feeding at Terrapin.
This Wood Duck drake was at Terrapin.
This Canada Goose was at Governor Bridge a few days ago.
This Least Sandpiper was feeding at Terrapin.
You can see the brilliant orange of a Baltimore Oriole from a long way.
I haven’t been finding much lately. It’s a kind of mini-doldrum between the end of last season and the beginning of Spring migration. There are scattered migrants here and there, but I’m not seeing many of them.
This post includes trips to Artemesia, CBEC and Terrapin.
Ospreys were fishing as well.
This Snowy Egret moved frequently as he foraged.
I was lucky to get any shot at all of this Green heron who came up behind me.
An early morning Great Blue heron.
Another look at The Great Horned Owlets.
Another Eastern Kingbird.
FOS Gray Catbird.
This Red Breasted Merganser was at Lake Artemesia.
Goslings are hatching already!
I found a lone Wood Duck at Terrapin.
This Red Winged Blackbird was at Artemesia.
Re-working an old Tree Swallow.
I was just in time to catch this Bald Eagle fishing, Notice the band on his right leg.
Bullfrog up close.
An early morning moth.
I talked to Graeme last night, and he reported a Common Loon at Lake Artemesia, so I made the trek this morning to see if I could find it. I’ve always liked Loons. I got lucky right away.
Other migrants are starting to show up as well, including Orioles.
I finally got a good look at the Orchard Oriole.
This Red Breasted Merganser flew in while I was circling the lake.
I haven’t posted a Carolina Wren in a while.
Cedar Waxwings have been missing for a while.
Barn Swallows are making nests in the gazebo.
This Green Heron flew into the bushes near me.
This Starling just had a bath.
This Crow looked good in this evergreen.
Today’s prize; the Common Loon.
It was the first nice day in a week, but it didn’t improve the birding much. Terrapin is still very slow, and CBEC isn’t much better. I guess I’ll have to learn to be more creative with what’s there.
Only a few Canada Geese are still in the area.
This Great Horned Owl chick is thriving.
Eastern Kingbirds are getting common.
A pair of Wood Ducks seem to be nesting in the marsh pond.
A few tree Swallows are always flying over the marsh.
I saw this Green Heron fly across my path, and was lucky to relocate him in the woods.
It was another gray, dreary and threatening morning, but I don’t have much else to do, so I decided to give it a try.
Terrapin was almost devoid of birds, so I didn’t stay long. CBEC was only slightly better, but a few geese made it somewhat interesting.
This Ruddy Duck is in breeding plumage.
Snowy Egrets are appearing more often.
A pair of Ospreys always seems to breed at CBEC.
Several Canada Geese appeared to be bathing and grooming.
The weatherman originally called for rain this morning, but we got a cloudy and cool sky instead, so I gave Lake Artemesia a try.
It started out OK, with a couple of Wood Ducks and a few other migrants, but fizzled out after an hour or so. Still, I think migration is in full swing now, and we’re going to have a few good weeks.
My first birds this morning were a pair of Wood Ducks.
I haven’t seen many Downy Wood peckers lately.
I’m seeing Blue Gray Gnatcatchers in most areas now.
These Bufflehead hens seem to be staying in the area very late.
Several Palm Warblers were foraging in the trees.
Many Yellow Rumped Warblers were around as well.
I don’t see many Northern Rough Winged Swallows at Artemesia.
This Field Sparrow was a mild surprise.
Eastern Kingbirds seem to have arrived in most areas.
This is a female Baltimore Oriole.
The weather has been sucky and migrating birds scarce. I’ve been getting out most days, but finding interesting birds has been a challenge.
Today was a little better, but it was very cloudy, which makes for lousy light. I ran into a couple of interesting people and spent as much time yakking as taking photos.
A butt shot of the Great Horned Owl returning to the nest.
Another visit to the Great Horned Owlet.
A few Ruddy Ducks are still hanging out at CBEC.
One more look at the Cackling Goose. The Asst. Director tells me this bird was a rescue last year, and is doing well.
This Wood Duck was swimming at Terrapin.
These Canada Geese seem to be nesting at CBEC.
A female Red Winged Blackbird in good light.
I found this Eastern Towhee at Governor Bridge.
Blue Gray Gnatcatchers have returned.
It’s nice to see a Tree Swallow on a natural perch.
Several Ospreys are fishing in the marsh ponds.
A lone Snowy Egret was fishing at Terrapin.
This Muskrat was swimming in the marsh at Terrapin.
I wanted to get to Bombay Hook once more before the weather got too warm, and today looked to be a good chance.
There were plenty of birds to choose from, including many eagles and my first Black-necked Stilt. Â There were hundreds of Sandpipers as well.
Many photographers were there as well, and they seemed to be very interested in the eagles.
I wanted to get to Bombay Hook once more before the weather got too warm, and today looked to be a good chance.
There were plenty of birds to choose from, including many eagles and my first Black-necked Stilt. Â There were hundreds of Sandpipers as well.
Many photographers were there as well, and they seemed to be very interested in the eagles.
Sunrise at Bombay Hook.
Many Turkey Vultures were feeding alongside the road.
Hundreds of small Sandpipers were foraging in the marsh.
I only found one Snowy Egret.
This Belted Kingfisher was very cooperative.
Green Winged Teal seem to like foraging in the mud.
This Eastern Kingbird was a nice surprise.
Many Great Blue herons were feeding in the marsh.
I saw only a few Black Ducks.
I often find Killdeer in the road.
10 or more Bald Eagles were fishing in the marsh.
Great Egrets were well represented.
There is a Black Crowned Night Heron rookery in Bear Swamp Pool.
I’ve been looking for a Black-necked Stilt for quite a while.
