Annapolis Junction has a lot of open area, ideal for Hawks like this Red Shouldered Hawk.

There are still plenty of Bluebirds at Patuxent.

Yesterday I thought this duck might be a Bufflehead, but this closer look suggests it’s a Common Goldeneye.

I have a lot of pictures of the Great Blue Heron in flight, but this may be the only one with an open bill.

It’s difficult to get a good shot of a white bird like this Snowy Egret in bright sunlight.

This Great Blue Heron flew over the group.

This distant bird is a Rose Breasted Grosbeak.

I thought this Goldfinch was a warbler when I first saw him.

This Brown Thrasher has found a great dining spot.

The Merlins were reported to be on the wires in this picture, and they were. This image, though, only shows part of the large contingent of Mourning Doves and a gorgeous sunrise.

Several flocks of Canada Geese flew over while I was there.

I explored a stand of trees in the field and found this very nice Magnolia Warbler.

This Sparrow seems to be missing its tail.

I don’t know what this is, but I’m working on it.

Yet another unknown. The morning light is probably distorting the colors.

Carolina Wrens often sing loudly in the open, and pose willingly.

I spent some time trying to get closer to this Merlin, but there was very little cover and he was skittish.

This could be a juvenile Sharp-Shinned Hawk.

I didn’t realize this was a House Wren until I uploaded it to my computer.

This Green Heron was very active, and stayed in the area quite a while

I’ve seen lots of Chipping Sparrows, but I can’t pass up a bird so willing to pose.

This Common Yellwothroat is probably a first winter male.

This appears to be a Greater Yellowlegs.

A pair of Ruddy Ducks were diving amidst a large flock of Canada Geese.

It’s always a thrill to see a Bald Eagle fly over.

This young deer was foraging near the pond.

I believe this is an immature Bald Eagle. I almost skipped him, as he was flapping a lot, and I thought he was a Crow, then he started soaring.

Birding was so slow I watched this Para Glider for a while.

I have yet to see a day so slow that a Mockingbird won’t pose.

I saw feeding Catbirds virtually everywhere in the park.

I’ve seen a lot of Red Eyed Vireos lately.

I saw dozens of migrating Monarch Butterflies.

I took a quick trip to Truxtun Park this afternoon, where there were many active woodpeckers, including this Red Bellied Woodpecker.

This Brown Thrasher was one of several noisily feeding in the area.

I couldn’t coax this adult male Magnolia Warbler any closer.

This a non-breeding adult male Magnolia Warbler.

The white eye ring makes me think this is a Bay Breasted Warbler.

When you chase small birds in the woods, you’re going to find an occasional Chickadee.

I had heard that the Red Breasted Nuthatch was in the area, and I feel lucky to have found one.

This could be the same Rose Breasted Grosbeak I saw yesterday.

This Catbird will be heading South soon.

I often pass up common birds like this Blue Jay, but I love the colors.

Two Snowy Egrets were fishing in the marsh pond. This is as close as I’ve ever gotten to them.

This House Wren was a nice surprise as I haven’t seen many.

I didn’t realize this was a Northern Flicker until I uploaded it from the camera. He’s only showing his back, but it’s colorful enough to make a decent picture.

Cardinals are so common I often pass them by. but I liked the colors on this female.

I saw a Rose Breasted Grosbeak in the Spring, but I didn’t recognize this bird, which is probably a first winter male.

The Red Eyed Vireo is very attractive, and frequently elusive. Lately, they have been posing nicely for me.

This Osprey will be heading South very soon.

I see Mockingbirds everywhere I go, but they are a treat to photograph.

I count 516 Starlings. What about you?

The Monarchs are migrating.

This may be a Tennessee Warbler. I’m checking on it.

I haven’t found an ID yet.

This is a Blue Headed Vireo and I’ve never seen one before.

This slightly out of focus bird is a Prairie Warbler.

Sunrise at Possum Point can be beautiful, especially with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in the background. The migrating geese are a bonus.

Just a Seagull in a cloudy sky.

On a slow day even the ubiquitous Crows look good.

I was a little slow in reacting, but at least you can tell it’s a Bald Eagle .

I’ve seen female Indigo Buntings in this spot several times.

This Orchard Oriole was feeding rapidly.

Now that most of the Osprey have migrated, this Great Blue Heron is using their nesting platform as an observation perch.

This Red Eyed Vireo spent quite some time foraging in this tree, successfully.

This Blue Gray Gnatcatcher was up early.

The field where I was birding was full of Chipping Sparrows, juvenile Bluebirds and House Finches.

If I can’t find any exotic warblers, I’ll settle for a good picture of an old friend, this Western Palm Warbler.

I’ve noticed juvenile Bluebirds hanging out at nest boxes in groups, and assumed they were siblings. That may be the case here.

My Audubon App suggests this is a West Coast Lady. It’s the first I’ve ever seen.

This Great Blue Heron was fishing at Truxtun Park.

This House Sparrow was foraging in the fragmite at Truxtun Park.

This Canada Goose had Lake Redd all to himself.

This Great Blue Heron, on the hunt, appears to be a juvenile.

This Pine Warbler was one of a very active flock.

There are still many Bluebirds at the refuge, and other places I’ve been.

This old piling at Possum Point is often occupied by a Double Crested Cormorant.

This Chipping Sparrow was part of a large flock of House Finches and Sparrows foraging in the grass.

I startled this Great Blue Heron at Possum Point, and he flew back in my direction.

The Common Yellowthroat is a very striking warbler. This is a male, and I haven’t seen one since Spring.

I haven’t seen many Brown Thrashers, so it’s surprising to see one two days in a row.

I was a little surprised when I looked closely at this Mockingbird, because it’s a juvenile and I haven’t seen one before.

This Catbird was deep n the brush, and it would have been more appropriate to use the flash.

Two Snowy Egrets were fishing in the marsh pond.

Sometimes the lighting conspires against you, but this Yellow Warbler is pretty enough without more help.

This Common Yellowthroat is a juvenile.

This is a Magnolia Warbler, and I really like the pose.

This female Red Bellied Woodpecker has a serious beak.

I see deer every morning at Sandy Point, and I think the staff may have installed them as greeters.

I’ve seen Great Blue Herons wading, flying, in trees and on the shore, but this is the first I’ve seen one on a park bench.

This is a House Wren. The book refers to it as a Gray Adult, as opposed to the Brown Adult.

You don’t have to watch a Downy Woodpecker for long to realize how assiduously they search for food.

I had a love-hate thing going with the Red Eyed Vireo for a while, as they were so hard to photograph, high in the branches of trees. Lately, they have been more cooperative.

This Catbird will be migrating to Central America or the Bahamas soon.

Here’s a good look at the streaked breast of the Brown Thrasher.

This Great Black Backed Gull is a juvenile.

This Great Black Backed Gull is an adult.

Another Unknown Warbler . I’m working on it. American Redstart.

I was surprised this young deer let me get so close.

This juvenile European Starling is molting.

This the lighthouse at Sandy Point.