A Pair of Young Ospreys

A very nice day for a change. Somewhat overcast, in the 70’s with low humidity.
I went back to Possum Point in search of migrants, but no luck so far.

Eastern Kingbird

This Eastern Kingbird was shot in low light. f6.3 1/500 ISO 1600
It’s well focused, but grainy, and is a consequence of a relatively slow lens.

Deer

This is the youngest/smallest deer I’ve seen anywhere I’ve been.There were two about this size.

Caspian Tern

The Caspian Tern is so sleek he reminds me of a jet fighter.

Bay-Bridge

Another try for a decent Chesapeake Bay Bridge shot

Osprey

Osprey

The feathers on these Ospreys appear to be very new. They may be young of the year.

Downy Woodpecker

Downys were scarce for a while, and now I’ve seen them two days in a row.

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

There were four Indigo Buntings feeding from this plant. I have consistently found these birds in this spot for weeks.

Catbird

I’ve seen many Catbirds lately and they seem to be feeding a lot, possibly in preparation for migration.

Eastern Wood Peewee

The distinctive call of the Eastern Wood Peewee makes them easy to find, but they are harder to photograph.

Indigo Buntings and Orioles

I was off early to Possum Point despite the threatening weather. As it turned out, the day was sunny and relatively mild. As usual, I went to the point first, circled around to the boat ramp, then decamped to the Nature Center.

Osprey

Osprey

Osprey

I was lucky to capture these Ospreys flying in tandem.

Great Blue Heron

This Great Blue Heron was overseeing the boat ramp.

Eastern Kingbird

I almost always see these Eastern Kingbirds at the top of a plant, where they look for insects to catch.

Great Crested Flycatcher

This Great Crested Flycatcher was resting between meals.

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Earlier this year I saw Downy Woodpeckers almost every time I went out, but they’ve been scarce lately.

House Finch

This appears to be a young House Finch.

Bluebird

There are many Bluebird boxes at the Nature Center, and they’ve helped produce a bumper crop.

Indigo Bunting (Female)

I found this Blue Grosbeak female in almost the same spot as a month ago.

Orchard Oriole (Female)

I see female Orchard Orioles frequently, but the males are much rarer.

Chipping Sparrow

The Chipping Sparrow is a cheery bird.

A Good Day at Possum Point

A cooler day, slightly cloudy but promising. I headed off early to Possum Point and the Nature Center, with a later stop at Truxtun Park and Hillsmere Elementary. Possum Point was very productive.

Double Crested Cormorant

Double Crested Cormorant

Double Crested Cormorant

Double Crested Cormorants are still present and very active.

Caspian Tern

Caspian Terns are frequent visitors. They are both graceful and beautiful.

Ring Billed Gull

This Ring Billed Gull flew right over my head.

Common Wood Nymph

This Common Wood Nymph is the first I’ve seen.

Osprey

Osprey

The Ospreys will be migrating soon, and I won’t be able to get more images.

Belted Kingfisher

The sailboats in the marina provide perches for many birds, including this Belted Kingfisher.

Green Heron

Green Heron

Green Heron

This juvenile Green Heron was the highlight of my day. It’s only the second one I’ve seen this year.

Chipping Sparrow

Several Chipping Sparrows were very actively feeding.

Orchard Oriole

I was lucky to get this female Orchard Oriole who only stayed around for a few seconds.

Yellow Breasted Chat

I haven’t seen a Yellow Breasted Chat for several weeks.

Chickadee

Chickadee

You can often get quite close to a Chickadee when they are feeding.

Red Admiral at Sandy Point

I arrived at Sandy Point State Park just as they opened at 7:00 AM. I searched, mostly in vain, for birds for the next two hours. Even the usual decent points were almost totally devoid of birds. That’s the way it goes some days.

Red Admiral

I haven’t seen many of these Red Admiral butterflies.

 

Deer

I was greeted by 6-8 deer, grazing peacefully.

Black Vulture

Sandy Point is home to a large colony of Black Vultures.

Baltimore Oriole

This first year Baltimore Oriole was a nice find. It’s only my second of the year.

Great Blue Heron

This juvenile Great Blue Heron was fishing right on the beach.

Mockingbird

Every Mockingbird in the state was at Sandy Point today.

Great Blue Heron

I almost always see the Great Blue Heron fishing in shallow water, so it strikes me as odd to see them perched in a tree.

Great Crested Flycatcher

I’m still a big fan of the Great Crested Flycatcher.

Western Tiger Swallowtail

There were many Western Tiger Swallowtails feeding on these bushes.

Catbird

Two Catbirds were feeding rapidly, and I assume they are fueling up for migration.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

The Blue Gray Gnatcatcher seldom stays still for long.

Invisible Heron

The day looked promising, much cooler and slightly cloudy, and I arrived early at Patuxent Wildlife Refuge, South tract. There was a lot of activity among the small birds, and I saw a distant hawk and a Blue Heron, but no other waterbirds. I met Graeme, and we went to Lake Artimesia, which, again, had a dearth of waterbirds excepting an Egret, a Heron and some ducks. Later, we stopped at Greenbelt Park to look for a Barred Owl Graeme knew about, but he didn’t appear and no other birds were evident, so we didn’t stay long.
All in all, it was a strange day and birds were relatively scarce.

Red Tailed Hawk

This Red Tailed Hawk was really too far away, and the light was too low for a decent shot, but I like hawks, so here he is.

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrows always seem to be very active.

Orchard Oriole

This Orchard Oriole struck an awkward pose.

Sparrow

I’m not sure which Sparrow this is.

Great Egret

We saw this Great Egret fishing at several places in Lake Artemesia.

Wood Duck

I’m working on an ID for this duck. It’s a Wood Duck.

Mockingbird

Even on a slow day you can count on a Mockingbird to pose.

Cedar Waxwing

There was a small flock of Cedar Waxwings at the lake.

Great Blue Heron

I saw this Great Blue Heron land from across the lake, and was amazed that this 4′ bird was invisible from a distance.

Deer

This young deer was remarkably comfortable around people.

Western Tiger Swallowtail on a Rainy Day

Want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans.
Today I scheduled a meetup with Graeme at Patuxent, and the rain began to fall as soon as I got a mile from home. Apparently it rained more West of here, but that brief shower was all we got. I went to Truxtun Park and Hillsmere Elementary instead. Terrible heat and humidity continue, fogging up my glasses and the viewfinder.

Great Blue Heron

This Great Blue Heron was one of the few visible birds at Truxtun Park.

Osprey

This Osprey is eating his breakfast on top of one of the poles that hold the ball field lights.

Western Tiger Swallowtail 9

Western Tiger Swallowtail

There were many Western Tiger Swallowtails at Hillsmere Elementary. If I were a better blogger I’d find out what the flowers are.

Skipper

Skippers are not as gaudy as butterflies.

Bluebird

This juvenile Bluebird is growing some new feathers.

American Redstart in Shadyside

I tried a new place today, an unopened state park in Shadyside, and it was disappointing. It looks like great habitat, but it’s badly overgrown and infested with bugs of all kinds. I’m glad I went, and I got a couple of good shots, but I won’t be back soon.
In the afternoon I stopped at Hillsmere Elementary school and found a few birds including a Red Shouldered Hawk. I’m partial to hawks.

Wood Thrush

Wood Thrush

Wood Thrush
Wood Thrush

Wood Thrush

I haven’t seen many Wood Thrushes, so this was a nice surprise.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

I haven’t seen many Blue Gray Gnatcatchers pose in the open like this.

American Redstart  (Female)

American Redstart  (Female)

I’m looking for Warblers beginning their Fall migration, but this female American Redstart may be a Summer resident.

Catbird

This Catbird seemed to be singing to the morning Sun.

Mockingbird

This Mockingbird has found a tree full of treats.

Great Crested Flycatcher

I”ve gotten several good shots of the Great Crested Flycatcher this year, but they’re still one of my favorites.

Cedar Waxwing

The Cedar Waxwing is always a treat.

Red Shouldered Hawk

I always feel privileged to see a hawk, and this Red Shouldered Hawk is no exception.

Red Shouldered Hawk

Red Shouldered Hawk

Sometimes a hawk will fly off and land nearby, close enough for a few more shots.

The Purple Martins are Leaving

Cloudy and a bit gloomy this morning, so I went back to Possum Point in order to be close to home if I got rained out. I’m also hoping to start seeing some migrating birds, but nothing has shown up yet.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is readily visible from Possum Point, and I frequently take a few shots.

Great Blue Heron in Flight

Great Blue Heron in Flight

This Great Blue Heron was fishing right at the point, and I frightened him off, but managed to get this quick shot.

Double Crested Cormorant

Starling

Starling

A large flock of Starlings flew continuously over the Nature Center.

Double Crested Cormorant

I see Double Crested Cormorants occasionally at Possum Point, but there were several fishing and flying over the last couple of days.

Crow

There’s something interesting in the way the Crow’s body shape matches the curve of the limb.

Purple Martin

There were far fewer Purple Martins than yesterday, but I assume the others have begun the flight South.

House Finch

House Finch

House Finch

This House Finch has found a very nice breakfast.

Carolina Wren

This Carolina Wren was singing a very (To me) peculiar song.

 

Deer

This very small (And, I assume, young) deer stayed in the area for over half an hour.

Cardinal

This shabby looking Cardinal must be molting.

Goldfinch

The Goldfinches will be leaving soon also.

Bluebird

There were several Bluebird juveniles flying in and out of this nesting box, and it’s not much of a stretch to guess they were born there.

Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Kingbirds often sit very still, but if you wait long enough they’ll give you a decent pose.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher Nest

Yesterday was basically rained out. I did make a brief afternoon trip to Truxtun Park, but there was nary a bird in sight, and I didn’t spend much time there.
I went to Possum Point and the Nature Center this morning. It was more promising, cooler and slightly overcast, but, later, it cleared up a bit and got warmer. I’m looking or signs of the Fall migration, and I found some. I also met a beginning birder and was able to show her a first, a Cedar Waxwing. I know very few birders in any case, so it was nice to meet a young one who will carry on the adventure. Hi, Alexa!

Double Crested Cormorant

Double Crested Cormorant

Double Crested Cormorant

There were far more Double Crested Cormorant s than usual at Possum Point, and these two were fishing successfully.

Black Backed Seagull

Black Backed Seagull

Seagulls, like this Black Backed Seagull always look remarkably graceful when flying.

Osprey

This Osprey, and all his mates will be heading to South America soon. I’ve grown so used to them that I often pass them by, and I suspect I’ll miss them.

Purple Martin

These are the first Purple Martins I’ve seen at Possum Point. They are gathering to migrate. Do they plan to stay on the sailboat?

Chipping Sparrow

There are is always a Chipping Sparrow to be found at t he Nature Center.

Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Kingbirds are easy to find, but I like the way this one posed.

Bluebird (Juvenile)

There are many juvenile Bluebirds at the Nature Center.

House Finch

This House Finch seems to be enjoying a break.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher Nest

I was surprised to see that the Blue Gray Gnatcatcher chicks had flown and gone. This nest is less than 1.5″ in diameter.
From Cornell LAbs:
“Nest Description
Open cup with high walls, made of spider webbing or caterpillar silk, covered with lichens or bark flakes. Lined with grass stems, bark strips, plant down, hair, feathers, or other fine fibers. Placed far out from trunk on tree limbs.”
This nest is obviously an exception.

Monarch

This male Monarch Butterfly was tough to track down.

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing

It’s been several weeks since I’ve seen a Cedar Waxwing .

Catbird

The Catbirds will be heading South soon.

Belted Kingfisher at Patuxent NWR

I had eye surgery Monday, spent Tuesday and Wednesday recovering, but got to Patuxent Wildlife Refuge this morning late, as I took a wrong turn. The late start put me right in the hottest weather, and I didn’t stay long. I believe this much heat affects the birds, who are probably staying in the shade, or deep in the woods.

Bluebird

Bluebird

This Bluebird, and several juveniles, were at the lake.

Canada Goose

 

Canada Goose

A flock of Canada Geese flew low over the lake.

Deer

This Deer was cooling off in the marsh.

Mourning Dove

I often pass up Mourning Doves because they are so common, but I liked the look of this one.

Dragonfly

Dragonfly

There are Dragonflies in every corner of the refuge.

Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher

I watched this Kingfisher for quite a while as she flew back and forth over Goose Pond. The water level was very low, and I fear he may have been wasting his time.

Western Tiger Swallowtail

It was far too hot to chase butterflies, but this Western Tiger Swallowtail landed quite close and posed for a while.

Blue Grosbeak

This Blue Grosbeak was a surprise. He was deep in the little bush, and I thought I was photographing a Starling.

Eastern Wood Peewee

I’m unsure, but I think this is an Eastern Wood Peewee .