One thing I’m learning is that I  didn’t have enough faith in my local spots. I’m finding decent birds in good enough numbers without getting more than 5 miles from home. I don’t have a good marsh bird spot around here, but it’s not that far to CBEC or Terrapin.

I suspect the CA fires are still having an effect on our skies, as the morning light is often gray and dreary. I did catch a decent sunrise or two, though.

I’ve spotted several warblers, a couple of Tanagers and vireos and the usual suspects.

We had decent morning colors on a couple of days.

The Red Bellied Woodpecker has a distinctive call, and it’s one of the first I learned.

Northern Flickers are on the move.

This Carolina Wren posed very nicely.

Magnolia Warblers are even more striking i Spring.

I’m posting this lousy image because the Scarlet Tanager is a cool bird.

I used to see more Red Eyed Vireos than I do nowadays.

This Common Yellowthroat Warbler is headed for the tropics.

Rose Breasted Grosbeaks are attractive even in poor light.

Many Mockingbirds reside at Greenbury Point.

Cardinals are also well represented.

There are always at least a few Goldfinches in the area.

Many Flycatchers passed through in the last week.

It’s not unusual to see a Black and White Warbler upside down.

I’m sticking with Greenbury Point for a while, as it’s been a quite decent birding spot and it’s close to home. Everything I’m reading suggests the next month or two are going to be very dangerous, with many more cases of COVID.

Yesterday was decent,  with warblers and sparrows, and today’s RB Nuthatch was a nice surprise, as I haven’t seen one in a few years. I also went to Wooton to find the Anhinga, but he wasn’t in.

There’s not much at Possum Point yet, but the sunrises have been decent.

Sunrise at Possum Point.

This is a juvenile Indigo Bunting. He’s heading to the Caribbean for the Winter.

This Palm Warbler is also headed for the tropics.

You can find Chestnut Sided Warblers in Central America in the Winter.

Blue Gray Gnatcatchers winter in Florida or Central America.

Stupid Flycatcher. There are several Empidonax Flycatchers, and they are hard to tell apart. Some say Flycatchers prove there is no God.

This Red Breasted Nuthatch was a real treat.

Song Sparrows may spend the Winter.

This is a Lincoln’s Sparrow, and we only see them during migration. He’s heading for the southern US or Central America.

I had a couple of decent hours in when I ran into Dan Haas, premiere birder, and we hooked up for a further tour of the area.  He was successful in attracting many additional birds, and we were both got lucky in that so many birds were in the area.

I started with a very early Cape May Warbler. This is a bird I only see during migration, and it’s very attractive. Other warblers  were in abundance, and we found a Yellow Throated Vireo, a bird I’ve seen only once before. A Least Flycatcher was a lifer for me.

I ended up with about 40 species on this very rewarding day.

Self Portrait.

Possum Point Dawn.

There were many Flycatchers in the area.

I would have liked better light for this Yellow Throated Vireo.

The Black and White Warbler is a favorite of all.

There were several Cape May Warblers foraging in the bushes.

This is a Marsh Wren Dan was able to tease out with a recording.

Common Yellowthroats seem to breed in the area.

I don’t see Red Eyed Vireos as often as I used to.

A late juvenile Ruby Throated hummingbird.

Several Carolina Chickadees were playing in the foliage.

Several Black Throated Green Warblers showed themselves.

We saw several House Wrens.

This is a Magnolia Warbler.

Northern Parulas are colorful even in the Fall.

A late Osprey had a successful fishing trip.

This is a female Indigo Bunting.

A very nice Cape May Warbler.

I liked the colors on this female Cardinal.

It was unusually busy at Greenbury /Possum Points this morning. More people than I’ve seen in 7-8 years.  A pandemic/holiday effect, I suppose. Not exactly a huge crowd, but it was noticeable.

I’ve been sticking with Possum and Greenbury Points for a while now. It’s really just like anywhere else-some days are better than others.  With migration really at a high point, I’ve got good chances for another few weeks.

Today’s Redstart was a treat (I confess to preferring the males) and there was enough activity to keep me interested for a while. That’s been the pattern several times. Yesterday a flock of migrants included Orchard Orioles and Red Eyed Vireos.

I did OK today. Other birders saw more species than I did, so it’s looking promising.

Sunrise at Possum Point.

Many American Goldfinches live at Greenbury Point.

This Garden Spider was hanging out at the Garden Center.

Female or juvenile American Redstart.

Snowy Egret on the rocks at Possum Point.

It’s been nearly three weeks since I posted anything, a record, I think. I’ve been getting out most days, quitting early in the heat, but not finding much inspirational.  I’m also trying to save money on expenses, and the car eats a lot of gas.

Today was much better, and I think we’ll have good luck for a while, as migration seems to be well under way.

I’ve never seen a YC Night Heron in MD before, and there were several other Herons as well as a Baltimore Oriole.

Morning at Possum Point.

Most years I see many Eastern Kingbirds at this time of year.

I didn’t see Great Crested Flycatchers as often as in previous years.

This Baltimore Oriole is migrating South.

There are still many Ospreys in the area.

I’ve been seeing 3-4 Green Herons every morning.

Goldfinches will probably be around all year.

Thi Chipping Sparrow was at Quiet Waters.

I’ve heard Belted Kingfishers at CBEC many times, but they’re tough to photograph.

Juvenile Yellow Crowned Night Heron, called “rare” by Ebird.

It was raining when I awoke at 3:30 AM, so I went back to bed and left the house around 7:00 . I was headed for Possum Point, but the car wanted to go back to CBEC, so that’s where we ended up.

The skies were clear and blue, and there were plenty of birds about. Egrets, Herons, Terns, Ospreys and Sandpipers were all foraging in the lake. I’m guilty of ignoring the passerines at this time of year.

I had a pleasant couple of hours before heading home, where I edited some of the photos and had a nice nap.

Morning in The Marsh.

A single Tri Colored Heron was feeding with the Snowys.

Forster’s Terns feed in small flocks.

This young Osprey will be fledging soon.

Snowy Egrets are also numerous.

Not much of a picture, but I don’t see Belted Kingfishers at CBEC very often.

Many Great Egrets feed at Lake Knapp.

This Green Heron took off in the early morning light.

This rabbit was very small.

Deer often graze along the lake edge.

Graeme and I went to CBEC early this morning to catch the sunrise and give some photos to the Center for use in their upcoming fundraising auction. We were able to catch Dr. Wink at home and left the framed photos with her.

We got the best look yet at the Tri Colored Heron who’s been hanging around, as well as some good egrets and Ospreys.

I’ve got plenty of CBEC shots to include, as the weather has been OK all week.

Morning in The Marsh.

The Snowy Egrets at CBEC seem to find plenty of food.

Forster’s Terns are still feeding daily.

This is a relatively rare Tri Colored Heron. They’ve been regular visitors for two or three years.

A Great Egret flies over the lake.

The Osprey chicks are growing fast.

I found this Yellow Warbler at Greenbury Point.

This Caspian Tern was imitating a Skimmer at Lake Knapp.

I’ve seen a lot of turtles recently.

Graeme, observing from the blind.

Dr. Wink at CBEC.

I’ve been sticking with the CBEC routine for several weeks now, and it’s interesting to watch the cast of characters change as the water level drops and it gets warmer. Some birds have raised this year’s family, and are out searching for new areas to feed in.

Many Sandpipers have appeared, I’ve seen Avocets, Ibises and a single Little Blue Heron. Will a TriColored Heron be next?

A few sunrise photos also turned out well this week.

Morning in The Marsh.

I think this is a Starling with a nice bug.

This nest contains two Osprey chicks.

Snowy Egrets near dawn.

Killdeer have just begun appearing.

Lesser Yellowlegs are feeding in the flats.

Least Sandpipers are regulars.

20 or more Canada Geese seem to be spending the Summer.

The first time I saw Terns feeding in a flock, diving headlong into a school of small fish, I was hooked.  Master flyers, master fisherbirds, what’s not to like?

I’ve spent a lot of time since then trying to get good images, and it ain’t easy. Terns don’t understand straight lines, and they are quick! Anyway, here’s my latest efforts.

A few other birds were around as well, and CBEC might be getting much better soon if the water level keeps dropping and there’s some mud for the Sandpipers.

Sunrise in the Marsh.

I’ve heard a lot of Wood Ducks at CBEC, but I don’t see them often.

Many Egrets dine all summer at CBEC.

There are many Chipping Sparrows at CBEC.

I saw this bird out of the corner of my eye, and snapped a shot while I was watching the Terns. It was a surprise to see later that it’s a Bald Eagle!

I spent way too much time with these Forster’s and Least Terns who were just a little too far away.

Diamondback Terrapins are laying eggs now.

CBEC is a good place to find Eastern Box Turtles.

Egrets to the left of me… Great Egrets outnumber Snowys about two to one at Lake Knapp. I’ve seen as many as 9 Great Blue Herons at one time, which Ebird says is unusual. Mallards and Canada Geese make up the rest of the lake birds. The usual Blackbirds, Cardinals and other passerines make up the rest in the warm months.

On most days I circle the lake clockwise from the parking lot, usually pausing to try for a sunrise image at the North end of the Lake. I walk from the parking lot to the end of the trail in darkness, accompanied by birdsong. Cardinals, Chats and Mallards are noisy at this time.

When I figure out where the birds are congregating,  I move to the location and start taking pictures. I’ve been using a tripod lately to  get better shots and perhaps get a video or two. When the Swallows are active, I’ll stop on the entrance road to try for a flight shot.

CBEC Sunrise.

When a single bird finds a good spot, he may be joined by others.

This young Red-winged Blackbird was looking for a handout.

Great Egrets are much bigger than Snowy Egrets.

CBEC has always been a good place to find Eastern Box Turtles.