There was a definite Winter chill this morning, and it presages the arrival of the Winter seabirds. It was in the high 40s when I left the house (Wishing I had bought those gloves) and it got warmer rapidly as I arrived at Possum Point. I have high hopes for Possum Point in a few weeks, but it was pretty dead this morning. I left for The Nature Center after 45 minutes or so, and quickly ran into several flocks of small birds migrating through our area. An ideal situation on a near perfect day. It’s nice to be me sometimes.
Sunrise at Possum Point.
This Great Blue Heron was right at the end of the point at dawn.
Flocks of Canada Geese are frequently seen flying over the bay at this time of year.
This Red Bellied Woodpecker announced her presence loudly.
This Blue Headed Vireo should be heading for Central America soon.
Palm Warbles are often seen foraging on the ground.
I still can’t pass up an Eastern Phoebe.
From Cornelll:
“The Eastern Phoebe is a plump songbird with a medium-length tail. It appears large-headed for a bird of its size. The head often appears flat on top, but phoebes sometimes raise the feathers up into a peak. Like most small flycatchers, they have short, thin bills used for catching insects.”
This Golden Crowned Kinglet is a first for me.
I think this is a Field Sparrow.
White Throated Sparrows are showing up everywhere.
House Finches are almost always present in large numbers.
I took so many photos so rapidly today that I didn’t even know I had a Yellow Rumped Warbler.
Many Bluebirds are present in the fields.
This Carolina Wren was singing loudly.
White Crowned Sparrows are appearing everywhere I go.
My fellow birders are reporting Ruby Crowned Kinglets all over Maryland.
This Ruby Crowned Kinglet thought he was a Hummingbird, as he repeatedly hovered beneath this leaf, trying to glean the insects on it.
I was surprised to see this deer out in the daytime.