Black Throated Green Warbler at Governor Bridge Natural Area

Posted on September 28, 2013 by Hugh

Sunny mornings always seem to be the best, and today was no exception. A large flock of warblers showed up around 7:30, including many Black Throated Greens, Magnolias, Blackburnians and Chestnuts were there as well, and Red Eyed Vireos were plentiful. Although I’ve seen a few Ruby Crowned Kinglets, these are my first decent images.The bugs treated me well also.

Although I’ve seen a few Ruby Crowned Kinglets, this is my first image of the season.

Blackburnian Warblers are still migrating.

It’s my blog and I can post as many Black Throated Green Warblers as I want.

Red Eyed Vireos were feeding right alongside the warblers.

Chestnut Sided Warblers are marked differently in the Fall and Spring.

I only saw two Rose Breasted Grosbeaks.

Today’s bugs.

Regina Finds a Northern Flicker at Governor Bridge Natural Area

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Hugh

Excellent weather continued today, and I got to Governor Bridge around dawn. I was determined to check out the lake area at sunrise, as recommended by Dave, and I ran into Regina, the best bird spotter in PG county. We met up again in the canoe launch area and found a few good birds together. A Flicker, a Cuckoo and a Scarlet Tanager were the highlights.
Later, I went after some bugs and experimented with my new (used) Nikon 55mm Micro lens. I see many interesting hours ahead with this old but very capable lens.

This spider is quite small. I took this with my new toy, A Nikon 55mm f2.8 Micro lens.

Marbled Orbweaver

Red Footed Cannibal Fly

Here’s the bugs.

This Northern Parula took off as I snapped the shutter.

This may be an Acadian Flycatcher.

We were a little surprised to see this Scarlet Tanager.

Blue Gray Gnatcatchers are so prolific I’ve been passing them by, but I liked this pose.

I’ve gone weeks without seeing a Yellow Billed Cuckoo, but this guy was very prominent today.

I’d like to have gotten closer to this Baltimore Oriole.

This Red Bellied Woodpecker was in his usual tree.

Regina spotted the yellow tail feathers on this Northern Flicker, and we had to wait a while to see his head.

I was really hoping to see more migrating warblers, so this Common Yellowthroat was a welcome sight.

Red Eyed Vireos are still easy to find.

Northern Parula at Governor Bridge Natural Area

Posted on September 8, 2013 by Hugh

Early Fall weather in Maryland seems to be ideal for the birdwatcher. A nearly cloudless sky and moderate temperatures made for comfortable walking and good light.
While not as prolific as yesterday, Governor Bridge is still hosting many migrants and not a few bugs. I missed some warblers who were feeding in dense cover, but I’m OK with the day’s haul.

I was lucky to catch this Yellow Billed Cuckoo as he took off.

White Eyed Vireos are usually hard to find.

This Magnolia Warbler was feeding rapidly.

I had to get help identifying this first year Northern Parula.

I had a good day with the bugs.

American Redstart at Terrapin Nature Center

Posted on August 29, 2013 by Hugh

The weatherman promised sunny skies a couple of days ago, but I awoke to gray and gloomy skies. I really wanted to get to Terrapin, so I vacillated until 8:00 or so and then went, despite the lousy skies.
I didn’t break any records, but I found a few decent birds and will go back soon.

I haven’t seen a Cedar Waxwing in a while, and this one appeared as I was leaving.

These Flycatchers are tough to ID.

This Osprey was fishing in the marsh pond.

Several Snowy Egrets were fishing in the marsh pond also.

This Scarlet Tanager was a nice find.

I’m not seeing as many Downy Woodpeckers as last year.

This Mockingbird landed right in front of me.

I’m still looking for a good male American Redstart. The tail fanning is typical behavior of these birds as they forage.

Eastern Towhee at Wooton’s Landing

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Hugh

Yet another perfect day weather wise. I got a late start, and got my first image around 8:00 AM. While it wasn’t as productive as yesterday, I still got a few decent shots and had an enjoyable walk.

I’m a bird guy, but who could pass up these colorful butterflies?

It was tough to get a clear shot at this fast moving Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Several Eastern Phoebes were foraging in the same area.

Some day I’ll get a decent picture of one of Wooton’s Green Herons.

This Goldfinch landed quite near me and posed for a while.

I saw several Indigo Buntings this morning.

Catbirds can found almost anywhere in the park.

This Eastern Towhee was the first bird I saw this morning.

Eastern Phoebe at Wooton Wetlands Preserve.

Posted on July 13, 2013 by Hugh

Work and weather have conspired against me once again, but I did get out for a few hours over the last few days. The birding doldrums are on us, but here’s a few images that are passable.

This is Blackie, the abandoned cat we’ve adopted. She stays outdoors, but drops by for a daily meal.

These Beetles found a way to pass the time after yesterday’s rain.

Common Yellowthroat Warblers are still singing.

I see Cardinals very often.

I had ID’d this as a Monarch, but the experts tell me it’s a Viceroy.
Wikipeida:”The Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) is a North American butterfly with a range from the Northwest Territories along the eastern edges of the Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada mountains, southwards into central Mexico.
Its wings feature an orange and black pattern, and over most of its range it is a Müllerian mimic[1] with the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). The viceroy’s wingspan is between 53 and 81 mm.[2] It can be distinguished from the Monarch by its smaller size and the postmedian black line that runs across the veins on the hindwing.[2″

“The Eastern Phoebe is a small passerine bird. This tyrant flycatcher breeds in eastern North America, although its normal range does not include the southeastern coastal USA. It is migratory, wintering in the southernmost USA and Central America. “

The Spicebush Swallowtail is present most places I go.

This Great Blue Heron was unusually complacent, remaining in place even as a jogger went by.

There are many Yellow Breasted Chats at Wooton, but they seem to be more reclusive than at other places.

Painted Bunting on the WBA Trail.

Posted on July 7, 2013 by Hugh

The MD Birding Email List has reported the Painted Bunting several times, so I took a chance and drove to Glenn Dale to get a look. This bird is well North of his usual range, and is a nice find.
I stopped at Governor Bridge on the way home, but it was pretty quiet.

This House Finch was foraging high in the treetops.

This Tufted Titmouse repeatedly slammed the caterpillar against the branch before eating it.

A family of Red Bellied Woodpeckers was hanging out at this dead tree.

This remarkably colored Painted Bunting shouldn’t be much further North than North Carolina.

Common Yellowthroat Warbler at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Hugh

The day looked iffy when I awoke, but the Sun was shining a little around 6:00, so I took a chance and headed out.
It wasn’t a spectacular day, but I found a few birds in good light.

I heard this Common Yellowthroat Warbler singing, and knew he was quite close, but it still took a few minutes to locate him.

This Western Tiger Swallowtail was feeding constantly.

This family of Canada Geese was swimming in one of the small ponds.

Cedar Waxwings are plentiful but they don’t always pose well.

This si the first female Ruby Throated Hummingbird I’ve photographed at Governor Bridge.

Eastern Phoebes continue to cooperate.

I was lucky to find this Robin framed in the foliage so well.

Killdeer at Swan Creek

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Hugh

After running some errands, I headed up to Swan Creek near Baltimore Harbor in hopes of seeing the Phalaropes reported there. I actually did get to see them, but they were little more than faraway blobs in a spotting scope.
I did a quick walk around under the gray, threatening skies, and got a few pictures, but nothing great.
I’ll try it again some day.

You could cover this tiny Frog with a quarter.

I don’t have a name for this Dragonfly yet.

This Osprey was not happy that we were near her nest.

I was lucky to get close to this Killdeer .

Orchard Orioles at Lake Artemesia

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Hugh

Once again I wasn’t sure where to go, so I waited ’til I was on the road and settled for Lake Artemesia. Maybe I could have done better. I did get a few decent images, but not the variety I’m looking for.