Birding Ain’t Always Easy

A beautiful Fall day, with temps in the low 60s, quickly warming to the 70s. Clear skies and no chance of rain. I decided, against the advice of my roommate Richard, to return to Annapolis Junction and Patuxent NWR. I should have listened. Despite extensive exploring at Annapolis Junction, I got virtually nothing, and Patuxent wasn’t much better. Birding Ain’t Always Easy.

Sharp-Shinned Hawk

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

Bluebird

There are still plenty of Bluebirds at Patuxent.

Common Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye

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

Great Blue Heron in Flight

Great Blue Heron in Flight

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

Snowy Egret

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

Great Blue Heron in Flight

This Great Blue Heron flew over the group.

Rose Breasted Grosbeak

This distant bird is a Rose Breasted Grosbeak.

Goldfinch

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

Brown Thrasher

This Brown Thrasher has found a great dining spot.

Merlins and Warblers and a Good Birding Day

I received an email stating there were Merlins at Annapolis Junction Business Park, and I haven’t seen one in years. I set out early to beat the traffic, and arrived at the field about sunrise. This very large, open field had a lot of birding opportunities, and I did well. It’s quite close to Patuxent NWR, so I went there after a couple of hours and found some nice birds there as well.

Sunrise

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.

Canada Goose

Canada Goose

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

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

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

Unknown Sparrow

This Sparrow seems to be missing its tail.

Unknown

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

Unknown

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

Carolina Wren

Carolina Wren

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

Merlin

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

Sharp-Shinned Hawk

This could be a juvenile Sharp-Shinned Hawk.

House Wren

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

Green Heron

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

Green Heron

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

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

Common Yellwothroat

This Common Yellwothroat is probably a first winter male.

Greater Yellowlegs

This appears to be a Greater Yellowlegs.

Bufflehead

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

Bald Eagle

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

A slow Day At Terrapin Nature Area

No birding yesterday due to the rain. This morning was cool and cloudy, and the weatherman said it would be dry, so I headed back to Terrapin in hopes of finding more migrants. Alas, it was not to be. I did take a few pictures, which I haven’t looked at yet, but I’m not expecting much.

Deer

This young deer was foraging near the pond.

Bald Eagle

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.

Para Glider

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

Mockingbird

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

Catbird

I saw feeding Catbirds virtually everywhere in the park.

Red Eyed Vireo

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

Monarch

I saw dozens of migrating Monarch Butterflies.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

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

Red Breasted Nuthatch at Terrapin Nature Area

The perfect weather continues, so I set out to Terrapin Nature Area to see if I could do as well as yesterday. A Red Breasted Nuthatch was the highlight, but I got some other nice birds as well.
For two days in a row I’ve run into older men with binoculars who clearly think birding with a camera is somehow different than birding with binoculars.
“Oh, bird photography.” “You can’t do both.”
A silly argument, in my book, but the purists are fading and won’t be bothering people much longer.

Brown Thrasher

Brown Thrasher

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

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

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

Magnolia Warbler

This a non-breeding adult male Magnolia Warbler.

Bay Breasted Warbler

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

Chickadee

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

Red Breasted Nuthatch

Red Breasted Nuthatch

Red Breasted Nuthatch

Red Breasted Nuthatch

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

Rose Breasted Grosbeak

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

Catbird

This Catbird will be heading South soon.

Blue Jay

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

Warblers at Terrapin Nature Park

I emailed a guy about his site, and he suggested that using the date for a title isn’t as good as using a topic. so I’m changing that approach.
Another near-perfect weather day. It was in the 60s when I awoke, and the low 70s by the time I got to Terrapin Nature Park. It started out well, slowed down and picked up at the end of my 3-4 hour stay.

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

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

House Wren

House Wren

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

Northern Flicker

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.

Cardinal

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

Rose Breasted Grosbeak

Rose Breasted Grosbeak

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

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

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

Osprey

This Osprey will be heading South very soon.

Mockingbird

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

Starling

I count 516 Starlings. What about you?

Monarch

The Monarchs are migrating.

Tennessee Warbler

Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warbler

Tennessee Warbler

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

Unknown

I haven’t found an ID yet.

Blue Headed Vireo

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

Prairie Warbler

This slightly out of focus bird is a Prairie Warbler.

Slow Birding, Saved by a Bald Eagle

Perfect weather once again, so I went back to Possum Point, which wasn’t nearly as good as previously. There’s a randomness to this bird watching stuff that is disappointing, but the exercise is good, and I did get a couple of good shots.

Bay-Bridge-19

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

Seagull

Just a Seagull in a cloudy sky.

Crow

On a slow day even the ubiquitous Crows look good.

Bald Eagle

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

Indigo Bunting

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

Orchard Oriole

Orchard Oriole

Orchard Oriole

This Orchard Oriole was feeding rapidly.

The Bluebird Huddle

The weather gods smiled again-temps in the 60s, no rain forecast and slightly overcast. I headed out early to Possum Point, and it was a very slow day. I keep hearing Ebirds reports of exotic warblers and waterfowl, but they are avoiding me.

Mallard

Great Blue Heron

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

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

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

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

This Blue Gray Gnatcatcher was up early.

Bluebird

Bluebird

House Finch

Chipping Sparrow

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

Palm  Warbler

Palm  Warbler

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

Bluebird

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

West Coast Lady

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

Great Blue Heron

This Great Blue Heron was fishing at Truxtun Park.

House Sparrow

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

Pine Warbler at Patuxent Refuge

Another cool, dry morning beckoned, so I set out for Patuxent National Wildlife Refugee around 6:30 AM and was birding by 7:15. All that traffic reminded me of why I dropped out in the 80s and never looked back.
Even though it looked promising, the birding was slow, and I went over to North Tract and Greenbury point before calling it a day.

Canada Goose

This Canada Goose had Lake Redd all to himself.


Great Blue Heron

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

Pine Warbler

This Pine Warbler was one of a very active flock.

Bluebird

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

Double Crested Cormorant

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

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

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

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron in Flight

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

Magnolias and Common Yellowthroats

Another cool, clear morning with promises of highs in the 80s. A birder couldn’t ask for more.
I headed out across the bay bridge about 6:30 and arrived at Terrapin Nature Park around 7:00 AM. Not a great day, but I did get a few shots, including some warblers.

Common Yellwothroat

Common Yellwothroat

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

Brown Thrasher

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

Mockingbird

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

Catbird

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

Snowy Egret

Two Snowy Egrets were fishing in the marsh pond.

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler

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

Common Yellwothroat

Common Yellwothroat

Common Yellwothroat

Common Yellwothroat

Common Yellwothroat

This Common Yellowthroat is a juvenile.

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

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

Red Bellied Woodpecker

This female Red Bellied Woodpecker has a serious beak.

Brown Thrasher at Sandy Point

Perfect birding weather! I elected to go to Sandy Point State Park this morning in my usual search for migrants. I talk about the weather a lot, because it affects everything you do when you’re in the field. Although I used to, I probably wouldn’t do much birding today without a camera, and expensive cameras need protection from extreme weather and precipitation.
Pictures have their own beauty, and some approach works of art, but they also have value in sharing your experience. While a picture of a hawk flying or a chickadee foraging is informative, it only comes close to the actual experience.

Deer

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

Great Blue Heron

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.

House Wren

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

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

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

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

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.

Catbird

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

Brown Thrasher

Brown Thrasher

Brown Thrasher

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

Great Black Backed Gull

This Great Black Backed Gull is a juvenile.

Great Black Backed Gull

This Great Black Backed Gull is an adult.

Unknown Warbler

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

Deer

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

European Starling

This juvenile European Starling is molting.

Sandy Point Lighthouse

This the lighthouse at Sandy Point.