This Cooper’s Hawk was waiting for me at the observation site.

Great Blue Herons are very common at Blackwater.

Red Winged Blackbirds were much more common than on previous visits..

I saw several pair of Hooded Mergansers, but they often fly away when they see you.

Blackwater was very quiet today, and this Downy Woodpecker was audible from a long way off.

There were more American Coots than usual.

This is the same American White Pelican who was present last week.

This Northern Pintail is the first I’ve seen.
Cornell:
“The Northern Pintail is among the earliest nesting ducks in North America, beginning shortly after ice-out in many northern areas.”

The Northern Shoveller is a weird looking duck.

This is the first Killdeer I’ve seen at Blackwater.

This Northern Harrier was hunting vigorously.

This Bald Eagle was soaking up the rays, and was in no hurry to move.

It’s very common to see an American Kestrel perched on the wires by the side of a country road, but they usually fly off if you stop for a photo op.
Cornell:
“North America’s littlest falcon, the American Kestrel packs a predator’s fierce intensity into its small body. It’s one of the most colorful of all raptors: the male’s slate-blue head and wings contrast elegantly with his rusty-red back and tail; the female has the same warm reddish on her wings, back, and tail. Hunting for insects and other small prey in open territory, kestrels perch on wires or poles, or hover facing into the wind, flapping and adjusting their long tails to stay in place. Kestrels are declining in parts of their range; you can help them by putting up nest boxes.”

When the Kestrel finally flew, this Red Tailed Hawk seemed to go after him.

A fellow birder pointed out this distant Common Merganser. It’s a first for me.

Bald Eagles engage in mock aerial combat as part of their mating ritual.

This immature Bald Eagle flew right over me and put on a great show.