Old Favorites to the Rescue

I had ambitious plans today, and none of them worked out. After visiting three different spots, I came away with just a few decent pictures, and nothing new.
I’m going to settle for the memory of a nice day in the outdoors and try again tomorrow.

Carolina Wren

I heard this Carolina Wren singing softly in the brush, and moved around to get a clear look.

Chickadee

Chickadee

A Chickadee always brightens the day.

Lesser Scaup

This Lesser Scaup was one of a large raft at Fort Smallwood.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

When you’re hard pressed to find a good bird, you can count on the Red Bellied Woodpecker.

Dark Eyed Junco

Here’s another Dark Eyed Junco for my sister.

Song Sparrow

The Song Sparrow is another dependable bird.

Mergansers at Quiet Waters Park

At last, a mostly sunny day, but very windy and cold. Temps were in the low 30s, and the wind was gusting well over 20 knots.
Thomas Point was just too damn cold and windy, so I took a few shots and headed to Quiet Waters, where there was more shelter from the wind. The wind eventually died down a bit, but it continued cold. With the Sun, it was bearable.
I saw two different Mergansers, several species of ducks and miscellaneous birds for a good morning overall.
At one point, two small flocks of small red birds flew over, but I wasn’t able to locate them.

Lesser  Scaup

Look at the water surrounding this Lesser Scaup to get an idea of the wind and cold.

Long Tailed Duck

This Long Tailed Duck is almost lost in the waves.

Lesser  Scaup

Lesser  Scaup

The wind speed was much lower at Quiet Waters, and these Lesser Scaup look much more comfortable.

Great Blue Heron

This Great Blue Heron was fishing on the opposite shore.

Mallard

Mallard

Mallard

I see Mallards at most places I go.

Herring Gull

Herring Gull

It’s not unusual to see Herring Gulls hanging out with the ducks.l

Red Breasted Merganser

Red Breasted Merganser

Red Breasted Merganser

I haven’t seem many Red Breasted Mergansers. so this pair was a nice surprise.

Bufflehead

Buffleheads are often mixed in with the Lesser Scaup.

Bluebird

Bluebird

When I returned to the truck, a flock of Bluebirds was foraging in the trees.

Mockingbird

This Mockingbird was eating right alongside the Bluebirds.

Goldfinch

Goldfinch

A flock of Goldfinches was very active also.

Hooded Merganser

Hooded Merganser

Hooded Merganser

I saw this Hooded Merganser in a small cove through the trees and was able to sneak up on him, as they are very sktittish.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpecker

This Red Bellied Woodpecker has found a seed.

Cooper's Hawk

A little luck got this Cooper’s Hawk.

Rain and Clouds at Thomas Point

We’ve had rain and for for four days, so I was determined to get out today. I’ve been very busy at work, so it was just as well, but I miss my birds.
I arrived at Thomas Point around 9:30 AM, and it was threatening to rain, so I proceeded to the point quickly to see what was around. It was only the usual suspects, and bad lighting, but it felt good to be back in business, even if only for a short while.

Common Goldeneye

Wikipedia:
“The Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) is a medium-sized sea duck of the genus Bucephala, the goldeneyes.”

Thomas Point Lighthouse

Thomas Point Lighthouse was barely visible in the fog.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge looked good in the early light.

Long Tailed Duck

Long Tailed Duck

Long Tailed Duck

The Long Tailed Ducks seldom come in close to shore.

Surf Scoter

The Surf Scoter is an odd looking bird.

Bufflehead

Decent light would help this Bufflehead image.

Cardinal

It began to rain, so I headed back to the truck, to find this Cardinal, who was very interested in my mirror.

Oldsquaws at Thomas Point State Park

I had planned a trip to the Eastern Shore this morning, but the fog and clouds convinced me to stay near home.
I went to Thomas Point around 8:30, even though the light was poor, and didn’t look to be clearing any time soon.
I did get to take a few picture, and saw my first male Oldsquaw (Long Tailed Duck), so it wasn’t a waste, as I had feared it might be.

Bufflehead

There was a smallish, mixed raft of ducks off the point, including these Bufflehead hens.

Common Goldeneye (Hen)

Common Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye

Low light is still conspiring against me, but this Common Goldeneye is a nice looking bird anyway.

Long Tailed Duck

Long Tailed Duck

Long Tailed Duck

Long Tailed Duck

Here’s a long distance look at our Oldsquaw.

Lesser  Scaup

Lesser  Scaup

This light was improving as this Lesser Scaup took off.

Long Tailed Duck

Long Tailed Duck

Long Tailed Duck (Hen) in flight.

Tundra Swan

These Tundra Swans flew over while I was watching.

Common Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye, the landing. This bird has been banded.

Common Loons at Thomas Point State Park

I had a 9:30 appointment this morning, but I figured that would give me enough time to get to the grocery store and check out Thomas Point, and I did so.
It was a gorgeous morning, with temps in the high 40s, minimal breeze and a mostly clear sky.
I saw Common Loons, Common Goldeneyes and Tundra Swans, as well as the usual Buffleheads and Scaup.
I met fellow birder Paul, who was calibrating his ‘scope, and we chatted for a while before I took a quick trip to Quiet Waters, which was a total waste.

Sunrise at Thomas Point

This was the scene when I arrived.

Common Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye, silhouetted against the sunlit bay.

Bufflehead

Low-light captures of birds in flight, like this Bufflehead, are tricky, but I’ll keep working on it.

Tundra Swan

Tundra Swan

Tundra Swan

There was a flock of Tundra Swans in the area, and three of them flew over the point.

Common Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye

The “Golden Eye” is clearly visible here.

Coast Guard

This boat is heading into the bay from the Thomas Point Coast Guard Station.

Common Loon

Common Loon

These Common Loons stayed around for about an hour.

Bufflehead

A little artistic license was taken.

American Coot at Blackwater NWR

I had planned to return to Blackwater, and the weatherman predicted a very good day, so I made the hour and a half drive, arriving about 8:00 AM.
I was greeted by a Kingfisher, Bald Eagles continued in good numbers, and I captured an American Coot, a first for me.
Several other birds cooperated, and I’m going to have to go back before the Winter is over.

Belted Kingfisher

This Belted Kingfisher flew shortly after I spotted him, but even this distant shot is decent.

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Herons are easy to find at Blackwater, but I’m still slightly shocked to see them in trees.

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle 71

Bald Eagle

I had to move quite a distance to get a good angle on this Bald Eagle.

American Coot

American Coot

American Coot

I was pleased to find this American Coot, as it’s a first for me.
Cornell:
“The waterborne American Coot is one good reminder that not everything that floats is a duck. A close look at a coot—that small head, those scrawny legs—reveals a different kind of bird entirely. Their dark bodies and white faces are common sights in nearly any open water across the continent, and they often mix with ducks. But they’re closer relatives of the gangly Sandhill Crane and the nearly invisible rails than of Mallards or teal.”

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

It’s unusual for me to get this close to a Great Blue Heron .

Red Tailed Hawk

Red Tailed Hawk

Wildlife Drive runs right through the marshes at Blackwater, and I usually make two circuits. This Red Tailed Hawk was waiting for me at the beginning of the second loop.

Northern Shoveller

Northern Shoveller

The Northern Shoveller can be hard to photograph, as he is constantly moving to feed.

Great Blue Heron

OK, too many Great Blue Herons, but how do you pass up a shot like this?

Snow Goose

Snow Goose

This Snow Goose is a juvenile.

Canada Goose

The most recent census counted 8800 Canada Geese at the refuge.

Tundra Swan

Several Tundra Swans flew over.

Where are the ducks?

It was another of those annoying days where life intruded on birding. A trip to the vet, grocery shopping and a chore for a valued client;all had to be done before I could indulge Xena’s intended purpose for my life.
It was after 10:00 before I got to Possum Point, and I could have stayed home for all the results I got.
There was a noticeable dearth of ducks, with only a few Buffleheads and Ruddys in sight. A flock of Cedar Waxwings saved the day.

Cedar Waxwing

This is another common bird, but Cedar Waxwings are very beautiful.

Bufflehead

Bufflehead

Bufflehead

These Buffleheads flew back and forth several times.

Song Sparrow

You can always count on a Song Sparrow to pose.

Long Tailed Ducks at Thomas Point

The birding gods blessed us with perfect weather once again, but withheld the birds. I journeyed to Thomas Point early, but very few birds were present. I then spent a couple of hours at Sandy Point State Park, with the same result.
I don’t know much about duck behavior, but this seems odd to me.

Long Tailed Duck

These Long Tailed Ducks took off as I approached.

Surf Scoter

From this angle, the Surf Scoter seems to have a perpetual grin.

Surf Scoter

I don’t know the meaning of this behavior.

Downy Woodpecker

I wandered around Sandy Point for about 2-3 hours and this Downy Woodpecker was the only bird worth photographing.

Surf Scoter at Thomas Point Park

The weather was near perfect this morning. The temperature was in the low 40s and climbing steadily, the sky was sunny and clear. After a trip for groceries, I went to Thomas Point State Park to look for ducks and other waterfowl. I did very well there, capturing my first image of a Surf Scoter, and saw several other interesting species.
I met fellow birder Paul there, and we met later at Fort Smallwood, searching in vain for the Common Redpoll reported there. I did, however, get some more Crossbill images and and a couple of other interesting birds. Fort Smallwood was very busy with other birders looking for these birds as well.
A very successful day;the sort that keeps one coming back.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpecker

This is an unusual angle to capture a Red Bellied Woodpecker, and it clearly shows the derivation of the name.

Lesser  Scaup

Lesser  Scaup

Lesser  Scaup

The texture of the water adds something to this image of a female Lesser Scaup.

Surf Scoter

Surf Scoter

I had no idea of the name of this bird when I first saw it. It’s an adult male Surf Scoter.
Cornell:
“A black-and-white seaduck common on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts in winter, the Surf Scoter has a boldly patterned head that is the basis for its colloquial name “skunk-headed coot.””

Bufflehead

Bufflehead

Bufflehead

I’m seeing small flocks of Buffleheads everywhere I go.

Canvasback

I’m getting a little better at this, so I was ready when this Canvasback flew over.

Canvasback

Canvasback

Gull

I saw this gull dive into the shallow water, but I’m not sure what he’s caught.

Long Tailed Duck

Long Tailed Duck

It’s not a great picture, but you can easily see how the Long Tailed Duck got his name.

Common Goldeneye

The Common Goldeneye is a striking bird.

Red Breasted Nuthatch

Red Breasted Nuthatch

Red Breasted Nuthatch

It’s been a couple of months since I’ve seen a Red Breasted Nuthatch.

Dark Eye Junco

I couldn’t pass up this Dark Eye Junco and his perfect pose.

White Throated Sparrow

The White Throated Sparrow is common, but very handsome.

Brown Creeper

Brown Creeper

Brown Creeper

The tiny (5.25″) Brown Creeper is hard to photograph as he quickly moves up a tree trunk.

White Winged Crossbill

White Winged Crossbill

White Winged Crossbill

The White Winged Crossbills were still present at Fort Smallwood, and there was a photographer for every one.

AA Bird Club at Thomas Point Park

The AABC scheduled a walk at Thomas Point Park this morning, and let me tag along. It was led by Dan Haas, a very knowledgeable birder, and I learned a lot from his insight and instruction.
Many of the birds were quite distant, so good photos weren’t possible, so I’m just posting the best ones.
I stopped at Quiet Waters Park afterward, but it was essentially fruitless.

Bufflehead

Bufflehead

Bufflehead

We saw Bufflehead, ducks like this female, Scaup, Goldeneye and a distant Wood Duck.

Common Goldeneye

I haven’t seem many Common Goldeneyes.

Canvasback

A flock of Canvasbacks flew overhead several times.

Downy Woodpecker

Thomas Point Lighthouse

Thomas Point Lighthouse

Lesser Scaup

Lesser Scaup

Lesser Scaup are still present in large numbers.

Tundra Swan

Tundra Swans were present on both sides of the point.