There was a ferocious storm last night, hugh winds and heavy ran such that there were a lot of power outages and the governor may declare a state of emergency. We got an automated phone call to conserve water until July 2, as the power is out at the water plant and they are running on a generator.
I was especially concerned about my flycatcher nest, so I went to Truxtun Park to check up on it. There were downed trees to the left and right, but she and the chicks were fine. Mother Nature is a powerful force.
Monthly Archives: June 2012
June 29, 2012
I returned to Patuxent Wildlife Refuge, planning a short day as it was already hot at 5:30 AM. The entrance gate was still closed, even though it’s supposed to open at sunrise. I entered through the exit gate. Later, I found out from an employee that the guy responsible for opening at sunrise has Fridays off. OK.
Tree Swallow at Patuxent NWR
I arrived at Patuxent Wildlife Refuge, South Tract, about 6:00 AM and had the place to myself. The plan was to stay until 8:00 or so, then get a look at North Tract, which I haven’t visited before. It was a cool morning, but warmed up very quickly, so I only stayed at North Tract about an hour.
Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge
I decided to visit Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge this morning. I called ahead to verify hours and places, and was misdirected by the biologist who answered the phone. A staff member at the North Tract directed me to the South Tract, which opens at Sunrise, my preferred birding time. I met a couple of interesting birders, including a guy from New Zealand who knows Lucy Lawless, star of the greatest TV series of all time.
Blue Gray Gnatcatcher
I got an email last night saying my Great Crested Flycatcher on the nest is an Acadian Flycatcher, so I’ve changed the text accordingly. Taking a closer look, I can see the person was right, and I’ve been seeing too many Great Crested Flycatchers lately. If you look up Flycatchers, you’ll see how many of them are very similar, but this little guy is 2-3″ too short.
I started the day at Possum Point, limping from a slightly sprained ankle due to an encounter with a hole at Truxtun Park yesterday. I didn’t stay long at Possum Point, but elected to go by Truxtun, where the walking would be less strenuous. Tomorrow I’m going to the North Tract at Patuxent Wildlife Refuge as I’ve heard good things about it.
Red Shouldered Hawk at Truxtun Park
Another typical Summer day. a litttle cooler after a short rainfall last night.
I got to Truxtun Park early, and got a few decent shots.
I had to leave Truxtun Park for a computer repair, and it was convenient to stop by Hillsmere Elementary afterwards, where I captured this Chipping Sparrow feeding on grass seeds.
Nesting Acadian Flycatcher at Truxtun Park
A typical June day, with temps in the eighties early in the day. I left the house around 5:30 AM and went to Possum Point, The Nature Center at USNA and Truxtun Park.
This Yellow Breasted Chat greeted me early on.
This female Cardinal was co-habiting this shrub with a female Goldfinch.
These two Grackles are probably planning the day’s activities.
I’ve grown to like the House Finch.
A female Goldfinch posed for several minutes, even as several joggers went by.
It would be difficult to escape the sound of Male Cardinals serenading.
This Osprey flew off his perch just as I snapped the shutter.
I’ve been watching this nesting Acadian Flycatcher for nearly two weeks, and the incubation period is about the same. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some chicks very soon.
Possum Point
Possum Point is a fishing/.hiking area set aside by the US Naval Station at Greenbury Point, the old site of submarine communication antennas. It’s probably worth multiple billions to developers, so it’s amazing some lobbyist or other crook hasn’t bought the proper politician to erect something tacky and soul destroying. I understand some mionor amenities are to be added, such as “Cabins” and a picnic area, so this ideal birding, hiking and fishing area will eventually be at least partially ruined.
The blue marker indicates Possum Point.
Why Birds?
I’ve always had an interest in nature, and spent a great deal of my youth fishing, swimming, biking and generally exploring the outdoors. I lived in 14 houses by the time I was 14, in places that include Mississippi, Maryland, New York, Florida and Ohio. My father was a college professor, and got better jobs as he got more experience.
I got involved in bird watching in my 30s, and more or less stopped in my 40s due to pressure of life and work.
Recently, my doctor told me to lose some weight, change my diet and get more exercise (I spend a lot of time in front of the TV or the computer and repair computers to supplement my retirement income).
I don’t like to exercise for the sake thereof, so I took my trusty Nikon L120 to the local park and began photographing the local birds. Since then I’ve upgraded to a Nikon D3100 with two telephoto zoom lenses, a Nikkor 70-300 and a Sigma 150-500. These lenses have enabled a huge improvement in my pictures, and I’ve also lost 30 pounds.
This Carolina Wren was one of my favorite early photos.
Update, 6/7/20 :I’ve now got two Nikon D7100s, a big improvement.
In almost all cases, images are posted the day they’re taken, in the order I shot them. I intend to post many of my favorites, usually with some dialog about the circumstances, location and information about the bird in question .
To see the full size image, just right-click and select”Open In New Tab”.