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Ruby Throated Hummingbird at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on July 2, 2016 by Hugh

I met Graeme early at Lake Artemesia and we walked the area for about three hours. It was a better day than some, and we found a few good birds.

A few Wood Ducks are still around, a hummingbird posed briefly, and a few others cooperated.

Views of Lake Artemesia.

We saw Goldfinches in several places.

A Great Blue Heron often perches on this unused Osprey platform.

Red Winged Blackbirds are very common, but attractive in the right setting.

This Eastern Kingbird was flycatching in the lily pads.

There are fewer young Wood Ducks.

Mimosa attracts Ruby Throated Hummingbirds when it’s blooming.

In the Gazebo.

Tom and his dog Sam were taking a stroll around the lake.

Tree Swallow at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Hugh

Sandy Point was a bust once again, so I headed to Terrapin. I did find a few interesting birds, but they weren’t into posing for me.

CBEC is still hosting half the biting flies of the northern hemisphere, so I rushed through the worst part and spent some time at the lake. The wading birds are still among the missing, and not much else is going on there. I got a few quick images, including a turtle laying eggs and called it a day.

Views of the Marsh Pond at Terrapin.

It’s not easy to get a good image of a Crow.

I was lucky to catch all three Mallards in one image.

This Osprey was the only mage I got at Terrapin.

The Tree Swallow activity has slowed down.

I’ve heard Great Crested Flycatchers at CBEC, but this is the first I’ve seen.

A few Least Terns were fishing in the lake.

This Painted Turtle had just finished laying her eggs and was covering the hole.

Purple Martin at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on June 29, 2016 by Hugh

After a few slow days I decided to try a sure thing, and went back to Artemesia.

In truth, it wasn’t very exciting. The nesting period is about over, and birds are harder to find. I did see a few, but spent most of my time with the Purple Martins, who are still feeding young.

Lake Artemesia.

Maylin and her mother were feeding the ducks.

Robins are still plentiful.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Wood Ducks without chicks.

A small flock of Goldfinches was feeding on the island.

I haven’t seen a Blue Gray Gnatcatcher in a while.

I saw five Green Herons this morning.

Purple Martins are tough on the dragonfly population.

Two Beavers were out for a morning swim.

This Daisy was all by itself.

Red Fox at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.

Posted on June 27, 2016 by Hugh

I did the same routine again today;Sandy Point for a decent sunrise, then Terrapin and CBEC.

There weren’t a lot of birds at Sandy Point, nor Terrapin. Unusually slow.

CBCE was a little better, but the biting bugs were very thick. I found a few ordinary birds, then encountered a very tame Fox in the parking lot. He was quite calm, even though there were quite a few people around.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This Northern Flicker was singing for 10 minutes.

This Osprey was perched along the entrance road.

This Ruby Throated Hummingbird appears to be a female.

I often see Least Terns fishing at CBEC.

It’s unusual to have a Fox cooperate so well.

Tree Swallows at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.

Posted on June 26, 2016 by Hugh

I took a chance on Sandy Point again this morning, and got some decent images. There were a few more birds than usual, but still not a lot.

Terrapin was still slow, but I did find a few birds and a snake skin.

CBEC was an improvement. I spent some time with the Tree Swallows, then circled the lake. Wading birds are still in short supply, but things are improving.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

The Marsh Pond at Terrapin.

I often skip Mourning Doves, but I liked the look of this pair.

Common Terns often fish at CBEC.

Wood Ducks have been scarce at Terrapin this year.

I spent 45 minutes with the CBEC Tree Swallows.

CBEC is overrun with Rabbits.

Discarded snake skin.

Today’s Bug.

I don’t see a lot of Muskrats.

Cow Nosed Ray at Jonas Green Park.

Posted on June 24, 2016 by Hugh

Sandy Point offered only an unbroken gray wall of clouds, so I went right to Greenbury Point. I had an appointment this morning, and only had a short while to look around. There wasn’t much to see, and I didn’t get any images worth posting.

A quick stop at Jonas Green was equally frustrating, but I got an unusual look at a ray.

My appointment in downtown Annapolis was at a friend’s house who has a beautiful flower garden, so I took advantage of a break to get a few photos.

This Cow Nosed Ray was fishing near shore.

A view from Jonas Green.

I found this Song Sparrow at Jonas Green.

Today’s flowers.

Eastern Kingbird at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Hugh

Sandy Point wasn’t great, but I got a couple of sunrise photos before heading to Terrapin. Terrapin as disappointing, with very few interesting birds.

CBEC was better, but the bugs were numerous and fierce. If there hadn’t been a decent breeze, I would have left much sooner.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

I found this Indigo Bunting at Greenbury Point yesterday.

I couldn’t get a clear look at this Snowy Egret.

This Green Heron was just close enough for a picture.

You’ll always find Barn Swallows at CBEC in the Summer.

This Redhead should be far west and north of here.

A nice pose for this Red Winged Blackbird .

These Ospreys are nesting at Greenbury Point.

This Osprey flew by at CBEC.

I love the hairdo on this Cardinal.

This Eastern Kingbird was fiercely protecting his nest.

I saw three Diamondback Terrapins today.

I couldn’t pass up this full Moon.

Views of the marsh pond at Terrapin.

Yellow Breasted Chat at Greenbury Point.

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Hugh

I tried the Sandy Point sunrise again, and it was a bust. I hadn’t been to Greenbury in a while, so I gave it a try.

It wasn’t completely dead, but there wasn’t much to see, including bugs. Many birds have finished nesting now, so the activity level has dropped dramatically.

Views of Greenbury Point.

Cardinals look good with a green background.

This Great Blue Heron flew overhead as I was walking the trail.

Many Ospreys nest at or near the point.

These Mallards were heading to the bay.

Yellow Breasted Chats nest at Greenbury Point, but are heard more often than they’re seen.

Today’s only worthwhile bug.

And a flower.

Orchard Oriole at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Hugh

I ran into Graeme at the lake this morning, and we made the rounds looking for bugs and birds. Bugs were scarce, but the birds were a bit better.

There wasn’t anything new, though, and I fear we’re entering the birding doldrums that often occur in early summer.

Views of Lake Artemesia.

Red Winged Blackbirds are numerous at the lake.

This female Goldfinch was in the shade.

I got one try at this Mockingbird before he flew off.

I just barely caught this flight of 6-8 Snowy Egrets flying over the lake.

This Eastern Kingbird can be found at the same spot every day.

It’s odd to see a Wood Duck on the asphalt trail.

This Mallard hen was hanging out with the Wood Ducks.

Several Wood Ducks with young are easy to find.

I was ready for this Green Heron when he took off.

I’m still surprised at how close you can get to a Barn Swallow.

This is as close as I’ve gotten to the Orchard Orioles at the lake.

Graeme and I interrupted this turtle while she was trying to lay eggs.

Today’s flowers.

A Buggy Day at Governor Bridge.

Posted on June 18, 2016 by Hugh

I met Graeme early at Governor Bridge and we spent a few hours looking for bugs. We did see a few birds, but they were either uninteresting or too far away.

A couple of turtles broke up the day, and we found a few nice flowers. The milkweed plants provided some of the best bugs.