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.
I would bet that this is the same Mockingbird who greeted me yesterday. He would occasionally fly straight up a few feet and return to his perch. If I knew songs better , I could tell you what birds he’s imitating, and he seems to have a large repertoire.I made a YouTube video you can see here:
Mockingbird Singing
A couple of Great Blue Herons flew off as I approached the lake, but this Canada Goose, and a large family nearby, continued on in serenity. It was very cloudy, so this shot was at f 6.3. 1/125 ISO 3200, giving the grainy effect.
There were two female Orchard Orioles feeding in this small evergreen bush near the lake.
f6.3. 1/125, IO 2800
This Flycatcher was poised on a branch to catch breakfast in typical Empidonax fashion.
This Tree Swallow posed on a tree branch, instead of a sign, as all the others have done.
This Chipping Sparrow kept picking at the white string you can see, attempting to carry it off, probably for nesting material. It was all tied together, so he wasn’t successful during the time I watched him.