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.
![Mockingbird Mockingbird](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Mockingbird-8.jpg?resize=584%2C522&ssl=1)
This Mockingbird was the first bird I saw this morning.
![Carolina Wren Carolina Wren](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Carolina-Wren-18.jpg?resize=584%2C445&ssl=1)
This Carolina Wren was singing loudly, greeting the morning, and was a very willing subject.
![Carolina Wren Carolina Wren](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Carolina-Wren-19.jpg?resize=584%2C200&ssl=1)
For a brief while, I had two Carolina Wrens in the viewfinder.
![Carolina Wren Carolina Wren](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Carolina-Wren-20.jpg?resize=584%2C568&ssl=1)
A classic Carolina Wren shot.
![Robin (juvenile) Robin (Juvenile)](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Robin-17.jpg?resize=584%2C548&ssl=1)
This juvenile Robin was foraging in what appeared to be newly planted grass.
![Sparrow Sparrow](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Sparrow-2.jpg?resize=584%2C674&ssl=1)
I’m not sure which Sparrow this is, but I like the shot.
![Cardinal Cardinal](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Cardinal-42.jpg?resize=584%2C472&ssl=1)
This female Cardinal was a little camera-shy.
![Bluebird Bluebird](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Bluebird-22.jpg?resize=584%2C539&ssl=1)
This Bluebird was quite distant in the low light.
![Blue Winged Warbler Blue Winged Warbler](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Blue-Winged-Warbler-1.jpg?resize=584%2C457&ssl=1)
I’m not sure of this ID (Again). This little guy was very active, and I was able to follow him for several minutes.Update:It’s a female Orchard Oriole.
![Canada Goose Canada Goose](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Canada-Goose-10.jpg?resize=584%2C309&ssl=1)
This family of Canadian Geese was out for a walk. Later, I saw them foraging in the tall grass.
![Sparrow Sparrow](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Sparrow-3.jpg?resize=584%2C409&ssl=1)
It was nice of this Sparrow to pose so neatly.
![Great Crested Flycatcher Great Crested Flycatcher](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Great-Crested-Flycatcher-28.jpg?resize=584%2C373&ssl=1)
This Great Crested Flycatcher is a little too bright, so he’s just here for the record.
![Butterfly Butterfly](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Butterfly-4.jpg?resize=584%2C488&ssl=1)
This butterfly was feeding right outside the visitor center at North Tract.
![Dragonfly Dragonfly](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Dragonfly-2.jpg?resize=584%2C290&ssl=1)
I couldn’t pass up this Dragonfly who stopped for a while right in front of me.
![Blue Gray Gnatcatcher Blue Gray Gnatcatcher](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Blue-Gray-Gnatcatcher-3-.jpg?resize=584%2C412&ssl=1)
This Blue Gray Gnatcatcher was at the pond near the North Tract bridge. He flew around quite a bit, but kept returning to the same tree.
![Blue Gray Gnatcatcher Blue Gray Gnatcatcher](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Blue-Gray-Gnatcatcher-4.jpg?resize=584%2C443&ssl=1)
Another look at the Gnatcatcher.
![Butterfly Butterfly](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Butterfly-61.jpg?resize=584%2C442&ssl=1)
Maybe it’s a moth. Someday I’ll find the time to ID these guys.
![Tree Swallow Tree Swallow](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Tree-Swallow-2.jpg?resize=584%2C517&ssl=1)
The Tree Swallow is an elegant looking bird.