I started out at Sandy Point this morning, but the sunrise didn’t look like much, so I went to Jonas Greene Park, then Thomas Point. Jonas Greene had nothing at all, but Thomas Point was better, even though it was way too windy.

I also made a stop at Quiet Waters, but had no luck.

Later, after a nap, I went back to Thomas Point, which was still windy, but way warmer, and found a couple of good ducks.

This Common Goldeneye hen took off as I approached.

This is a female Surf Scoter.

I was surprised to find these Lesser Scaup at Thomas Point, as they haven’t been there in a while.

It was a much warmer, less windy day, and I stayed at Thomas Point longer than usual. The birds weren’t quite as cooperative, but it was pleasant just to sit and watch for a while.

I met some nice ladies who directed me to a place just down the road from the point, and I found some nice birds there as well.

I’m not sure why these Tundra Swans were making such a commotion.

My first Horned Grebe of the season.

I found these Hooded Mergansers at Southbreeze Lane.

I spooked this Great Blue Heron.

This Crow was very noisy.

My Song Sparrow friend continues his quest.

I found a single Long Tailed Duck when I first arrived.

There’s still a few Common Goldeneyes around.

Buffleheads continue to be the most common duck.

This flock of Black Scoters flew in as I was watching some other birds.

My site has been down for two days, which is most unusual. Although the fix was easy, Godaddy did a terrible job of getting me to the right person. They’ve been very good in the past, but they blew a lot of good will with this one.

I’ve  been to Sandy Point, Thomas Point and Quiet Waters recently, and found some good birds in good light. The Red Headed Woodpecker is rare for our area, and a nice find. Ducks are gathering at Thomas Point in much better numbers than last year, and Sandy Point is very active as well.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

Thousands of ducks moving north before sunrise.

Lesser Scaup by dawn’s early light.

The same Song Sparrow who attacks my car regularly.

Tundra Swans foraging near the point.

This Bald Eagle has a small fish.

This is a male Common Goldeneye.

I saw more Red Breasted Mergansers than usual.

Buffleheads always seem slightly comical.

This Yellow Bellied Sapsucker is well camouflaged.

Pileated Woodpeckers are much easier to find.

This Downy Woodpecker made for a four woodpecker day.

It was good to some Hooded Mergansers move in close enough for decent images.

Many Ring Billed Gulls were in the area.

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

It was really cold this morning, so I waited for sunrise before venturing out.

I went straight to Thomas Point in hopes of finding some ducks closer in to the point, and I got lucky.

There was a noisy juvenile Eagle at the point, and several small groups of ducks foraging close to the point. They stayed around for a while, moving in and out, and eventually took off to the South.

This juvenile Bald Eagle was very noisy.

A few Black Scoters were feeding alongside the Buffleheads.

A small flock of Buffleheads stayed nearby.

There was an unusual number of Common Goldeneye hens.

We had a little snow last night, so I left a bit later than usual.

Thomas Point had a few birds, but most were too far out for good images. I think it’s just a matter of staying long enough for them to  move in closer.

I also stopped at Quiet Waters, which was slow, but provided a couple of images.

This Tundra Swan was along the entrance road.

This lone Bufflehead hen was also at Quiet Waters.

This Great Blue Heron was surrounded by Mallards.

These Hooded Mergansers were at Quiet Waters.

This Long Tailed Duck was just close enough.

The Sandy Point sunrise was better than usual this morning. I didn’t see much in the way of good birds, so I set out early for Thomas Point.

It was good to see the point looking a lot more active. Hundreds of various ducks were there, and many were close enough for decent pics. I’m sure I’ll go back soon.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

I haven’t seen Surf Scoters in quite a while.

Two Tundra Swans flew over the point.

These appear to be White Winged Scoters.

A few Lesser Scaup flew off shortly after I arrived.

Buffleheads were very active.

I only saw one Long Tailed Duck.

I wish the Common Goldeneyes had been a little closer.

There’s still not much to see around here, so I went back to Blackwater this morning.

The fog was serious, but the weatherman said it was going to clear, and he was right, but it took a long time.

Birds were relatively scarce this morning, and the light was awful, but I did what I could.

Hooded Mergansers remain very skittish.

Bald Eagles weren’t as plentiful as usual.

There were more Northern Shovelers than usual.

Why are these American White Pelicans always in the same spot?

A few Tundra Swans were feeding in the marsh.

Large flocks of Snow Goose flew over the marsh.

I was undecided as to where to go yet again. I hate going places where there’s nothing to shoot, and I’m not crazy about driving long distances. Something to shoot won out, so I headed to Blackwater, which is about an hour and a half drive.

It wasn’t really great, but it was good enough.  There wasn’t the variety I’ve come to expect at this time of year, but a quick stop at Oakley Street made up for it. The locals feed the ducks there, and you can usually find a good variety of birds, fairly close to shore.

I haven’t seen many Scaup this year.

I saw fewer Bald Eagles than usual.

I don’t often see Downy Woodpeckers at Blackwater.

A lone Bufflehead was feeding with the geese.

This Great Blue Heron was the first bird I saw.

Many Canvasbacks were eagerly waiting for a meal.

Only a few Redheads were present.

The Hooded Mergansers were very skittish.

There are still more Mallards than any other type of duck.

There were only a few Northern Shovelers.

I was at a loss as to where to go this morning, so I went with Sandy Point in hopes of a good sunrise. It was not to be. I got a few birds and a half ass sunrise , then went to Thomas Point.

The Thomas Point birds seem to be staying further out this year, so it’s tough to get good photos.

Dawn at Sandy Point.

Canvasbacks can be sound along Thomas Point Road.

Tundra Swans will be around all winter.

This Ring Billed Gull has found some kind of shellfish.

Seagull silhouette.

These Bufflehead were waiting for the Sun to rise.

I heard a tap, tap, tapping-and when I turned around, this Song Sparrow was pecking at his reflection on the hood of my car.