About Hugh

Later

Green Winged Teal at Bombay Hook NWR.

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Hugh

The promise of good weather made me take a chance on Bombay Hook, and it worked out OK. I didn’t see as many species as I wanted, but the light was good, and a few birds cooperated.

This Killdeer seemed to be solo.

I found this juvenile Bald Eagle as I was leaving.

Northern Pintails are the most numerous species.

Northern Shovelers are plentiful as well.

Many Tundra Swans seem to be staying for the Winter.

There were quite a few Black Ducks.

Quite a few Buffleheads were foraging in the marsh.

Several thousand Snow Geese were sleeping in the marsh.

These Dunlin (?) were just a bit too distant.

Red Winged Blackbirds were displaying everywhere.

I was hoping to find more Green Winged Teals than I did.

Cooper’s Hawk at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Hugh

I went to Eastern Neck NWR a couple of days ago and it was a major disappointment. I’ve heard good things for years, but a 70 mile trip didn’t appeal, and I picked exactly the wrong time. I got only a couple of images, and nothing exciting.

Yesterday I stayed local and didn’t find much at all.

Today was back to Backwater, which was much more productive. Eagle were abundant, a few hawks showed up and a few ducks as well, and the weather was perfect.

Northern Shovelers are still abundant.

On a calm day you can get some wonderful reflections like this Great Blue heron.

The American White Pelicans are still hanging out.

This Horned Grebe was at Thomas Point.

Buffleheads also at Thomas Point.

This Canvasback was at my friend’s house.

These Scaup were the only interesting birds I found at Eastern Neck.

A view of Eastern Neck NWR.

Many Eagles were active today.

Hooded Mergansers were more cooperative than usual today.

Tundra Swans are still numerous.

I was lucky to spot this Cooper’s Hawk by the side of the road.

Bald Eagle at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Hugh

I got to Blackwater around dawn, looking forward to a good day after yesterday’s wind storm. The light wasn’t all that good, but I did find a few birds early.

I went around Wildlife Drive four times, and found my owl again, as well as a few ducks.

Blackwater Dawn.

The American White Pelicans are still hanging out.

This Cooper’s Hawk was the first bird I saw this morning.

Many Tundra Swans spend the winter.

This Red Shouldered Hawk was just a little too far away.

This Screech Owl seems to stay in the same tree for quite some time.

Hooded Mergansers seem to fly off as soon as I find them.

6 American Coots were foraging in the marsh.

I found this American Kestrel along the road.

Another perfect Great Blue Heron reflection.

This Bald Eagle was enjoying breakfast, when a juvenile came along to see if he would share.

Red Headed Woodpecker at Quiet Waters.

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Hugh

I started at Sandy Point, where the sky was gray from stars to horizon. I didn’t see any interesting birds either, so I went to Thomas Point Road.

I stopped at a couple of places and found a few swans and ducks, then I went to Thomas Point.

The ducks are still a bit too distant, and the numbers aren’t getting any better, so I left and went to Quiet Waters in hopes of finding the Red Headed Woodpecker again, and I got lucky.

I caught this Tundra Swan just as he landed.

I was looking for Redheads mixed in with the Canvasbacks.

This Bufflehead swam right in front of me.

It’s unusual to find a Red Headed Woodpecker in AA county.

Screech Owl at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on February 6, 2017 by Hugh

It was a perfect day for Blackwater, and I got there early. The eagles weren’t as active as previously, but there were plenty of ducks and Snow Geese to make up for it.

I made a quick stop at Oakley Street on the way back, and it didn’t disappoint.

This is a Canvasback hen.

This Great Blue heron is perfectly reflected.

Good light makes all the difference to this American Wigeon image.

It’s not hard to find an American Kestrel perched on the roadside wires.

The Hooded Mergansers at Blackwater spook easily.

Many Northern Shovelers were foraging in the marsh.

This Lesser Scaup was at Oakley Street.

A large flock of Snow Geese was feeding by the side of the road.

The Hooded Mergansers at Blackwater spook easily.

This Screech Owl’s camouflage is perfect.

Peregrine Falcon at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on February 4, 2017 by Hugh

I met Graeme at Lake Artemesia this morning, and we quickly found there were very few birds around. Very unusual for this time of year.

After a trip around the lake, we set out for Thomas Point, only to find the bird club had overrun the place and scared off all the birds.

We then stopped at my friend’s house and got a few decent pics, even though it was getting late.

There were more Ring Necked Ducks than anything else today.

There were only a few Canada Geese around today.

Tundra Swans gave us our best opportunities today.

This Canvasback took off as we arrived.

I don’t see many Peregrine Falcons, and I’ve never seen one at Artemesia before.

Lesser Scaup at Thomas Point.

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Hugh

It was cloudy early, so I went to the grocery store and got that chore done. By the time I finished, the sun had come out and I went to Thomas Point.

It’s been pretty consistent lately; a few good birds just a little too far out for good images.

I then stopped by my friend’s house and spent some time with the Swans and Canvasbacks.

There’s usually a few Buffleheads around.

With so many Canvasbacks, it can be hard to find the few Redheads.

There’s usually 50 or so Tundra Swans present.

There were hundreds of Canvasbacks swimming back and forth.

There were only a few Scaup mixed in the crowd.

Northern Harrier at Bombay Hook NWR.

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Hugh

I’ve been meaning to get to Bombay Hook for a while, and the stars finally aligned. It’s about 150 miles round trip, and usually well worth it.

I was expecting more shorebirds and sandpipers, but it may be a little early yet. There were plenty of ducks, and they were close enough for decent images, so it was a good day.

A few Buffleheads were present also.

I didn’t notice this Green Winged Teal until I looked closely at the images.

There are many Northern Pintails in residence.

This is a female Gadwall, a bird I haven’t seen often.

There were large numbers of Northern Shovelers also.

I was surprised to find this lone Common Merganser.

I saw more Black Ducks than I’ve ever seen elsewhere.

A few American Coots were feeding alongside the ducks.

I found this Northern Harrier as I was leaving.

Buffleheads at Thomas Point.

Posted on February 1, 2017 by Hugh

I tried Sandy Point this morning, but the sunrise was really bland.

I tried a couple of places along Thomas Point Road, and did better, but the light wasn’t much.

The point actually had a good variety of birds, but not in any great numbers. I hung around for a couple of hours looking for action shots, then headed home.