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Tufted Titmouse at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Hugh

Another so-so sunrise and not many birds at Sandy Point. Still, the pre-dawn calm is worth the trip.

Terrapin didn’t have much to offer this morning, but a Titmouse and an Eagle showed off for me.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This Crow flew right at me.

I saw several Eastern Phoebes today.

Great Blue Herons have been scarce at Terrapin this year.

This could be the same immature Bald Eagle I saw yesterday.

Red Winged Blackbirds often perch on the tree.

Three Ospreys were fishing in the marsh ponds.

Juvenile Indigo Buntings may the most non-descript of all birds.

This Tufted Titmouse was showing off.

This is a Sulfur Butterfly.

My favorite Bullfrog was cooperative today.

Bald Eagle at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 21, 2016 by Hugh

We’ve had lousy weather for a couple of days, so It was nice to get out this morning. Sunrise wasn’t much to look at, and, in fact, I didn’t see it rise at all. I got some nice color about a half hour before, though.

Terrapin didn’t give up any interesting warblers, and only a few Egrets and an Eagle made the trip worthwhile at all.

Sandy Point at dawn.

These Snowy Egrets were fishing in front of the blind.

This young Bald Eagle may have been checking out an Egret breakfast.

Great Blue Heron at Sandy Point State Park.

Posted on September 18, 2016 by Hugh

It’s been pretty slow the last couple of days. Cloudy skies and cool, humid days are an improvement, but even yesterday’s cold front didn’t improve the bird scene, and I didn’t see enough to justify a post.

Today wasn’t any better-no warblers and only a few other birds. Even the insects were laying low.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

I found this Common Yellowthroat yesterday at Greenbury Point.

Two Sanderlings were foraging at the Terrapin beach.

Several Forster’s Terns were fishing in the marsh ponds.

This Great Blue Heron was fishing at Sandy Point.

Today’s lone bug.

American Redstart at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 16, 2016 by Hugh

The sunrise at Sandy Point was better than average, and a few Sanderlings posed for me. The

bird population at Sandy Point is increasing, but I haven’t seen much variety yet.

I spooked a couple of Wood Ducks at Terrapin, but there were no other surprises. We’ve had a couple of days of North winds, which should bring in more migrants, but no luck yet.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This Common Yellowthroat was foraging in front of the blind.

I’m not sure of the ID of this very wet warbler.

This is a Magnolia Warbler.

This is the largest flock of Sanderlings I’ve seen.

Two Snowy Egrets flew across the dawn sky.

This Great Blue Heron was fishing at Sandy Point.

American Redstarts often spread their tails like this, perhaps to flush insects. Although I’ve seen it many times, I don’t often get such good images.

Today’s bugs.

Indigo Bunting at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Hugh

I had to work yesterday, and didn’t have time to post, so I’m combining a couple of days.

Today, I didn’t see much at all, but yesterday was a bit better. I was with Karen Caruso, and we spent a couple of hours at Terrapin, then went to CBEC, which was very slow. I’m not sure I got any worthwhile images at all there.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This American Crow was watching us as we passed.

Ospreys seemed to be more active.

A few Blue Gray Gnatcatchers are still around.

American Redstarts are still moving through in good numbers.

This Forster’s Tern was fishing at CBEC.

A flock of Laughing Gulls flew over Terrapin.

These Canada Geese took off just as I arrived.

A flock of Laughing Gulls flew over Terrapin.

A Black Vulture taking a morning rest.

A juvenile Indigo Bunting. Perhaps the most undistinguished of birds.

We found this Frog in the grass at CBEC.

And a few bugs

Blue Grosbeak at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Hugh

The sunrise was better than average this morning, and some feasting Vultures added a little interest.

Terrapin was slower than yesterday, but I managed a couple of decent images anyway. We’ve got a few more weeks of migration, and I expect to do even better soon.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

A dead rockfish attracted many Black Vultures.

I was lucky to catch this Caspian Tern as he passed by.

This Snowy Egret was fishing solo.

Common Yellowthroats are still showing up.

American Redstarts continue to be numerous.

This Blue Grosbeak is a juvenile.

Another cooperative Garden spider.

Today’s Bugs.

Red Eyed Vireo at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 12, 2016 by Hugh

Sandy Point provided a decent sunrise this morning, and had far more birds than usual. I didn’t see anything special, but that has to be a good sign.

Terrapin was very busy, with several warblers, Ospreys, butterflies, herons and egrets. The weather was the best in a long while; in the 70s with a slight breeze and low humidity. September may be the best birding month.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This Snowy Egret wasn’t happy to be interrupted in his fishing spot.

The Ospreys were doing very well this morning.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a Tufted Titmouse.

This is a female Black Throated Blue Warbler.

Common Yellowthroat Warblers may be the most common warblers I see.

This Black and White Warbler was the first bird I saw this morning.

This Great Blue Heron was on the beach at Sandy Point.

This is a male American Redstart.

Red Eyed Vireos have been scarce this year.

And a couple of Monarchs.

Royal Tern at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Hugh

The last few days have been very slow;so slow I didn’t have much to post. High heat and humidity didn’t help much, and early morning clouds prevented much of a sunrise.

Today, there was a foot race of some kind at Terrapin, making it difficult to find any birds at all, so I found a few bugs instead.

A few days of Sandy Point at dawn.

This Snowy Egret was one of the few birds I found today.

This Cardinal seemed to be curious about me.

I expect to begin seeing more Bald Eagles now that the weather is changing.

A few Mallards have begun appearing.

Yet another Sandy Point Sanderling.

Common Yellowthroat Warblers are still passing through.

I’ve only seen a few Royal Terns, and never before at Terrapin.

Old Faithful and friends.

Today’s bugs.

Prairie Warbler at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Hugh

The sunrise was a little better than average, and I tried some tripod shots with the 300mm lens,which turned out OK. No good birds were around at Sandy Point, but some terns might show up soon.

Terrapin was much slower than yesterday. Still, I found a few warblers, and that’s good enough.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This American Redstart is either a female or a first year bird.

This is a Magnolia Warbler.

This bedraggled Carolina Wren is molting.

Many Blue Gray Gnatcatchers were on the move.

Several Cattle Egrets were feeding in the newly mowed field.

This is my second Prairie Warbler of the fall season.

Forster’s Tern at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 5, 2016 by Hugh

I stopped at Sandy Point for an hour and didn’t take a single picture. No birds, no sunrise, not even a colorful sky. Bummer.

Terrapin continues to delight. No new warblers, but a good supply of the old ones. They’re tough little buggers to shoot, as they are constantly feeding and often burrow deep into the trees, looking for insects.

Some terns put on a nice show. They can be as challenging as the warblers, as they move quickly and erratically, and are not at all large.