Orchard Orioles at Lake Artemesia

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Hugh

Once again I wasn’t sure where to go, so I waited ’til I was on the road and settled for Lake Artemesia. Maybe I could have done better. I did get a few decent images, but not the variety I’m looking for.

This Carolina Wren has a tasty morsel in his beak.

Orchard Orioles are thriving at the Lake.

This Robin has found a bountiful bush of berries.

Goldfinches travel about in small flocks.

It was a good day to be a Turtle.

This Great Blue Heron was resting on a lopsided Osprey platform.

This Canada Goose family was out for an early morning swim.

Reptiles and Mammals

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Hugh

I got out for a while yesterday, but had a very slow day, so I didn’t post anything. Today, I went to the Eastern Shore and did better, but I’m not getting the birds I want. The turtles, rabbits and deer cooperated, but not much else.

This Robin landed quite close to me.

This Cardinal has found a nice stash of berries.

This Goldfinch and his mate were foraging on the ground.

I often pass by Cowbirds, but it was a slow day.

I don’t usually see Cedar Waxwings in pine trees.

This Tree Swallow has brought a nice meal for his babies.

I found two Snapping Turtles laying eggs.

I saw at least 25 Rabbits today.

The Chesapeake Bay is a prolific breeding ground for Ospreys.

This snake seemed to be looking for a meal.

These Wood Ducks are resting on top of their nesting box.

These Deer were not very timid.

This Great Blue Heron was very intent on his fishing.

Cedar Waxwing at Truxtun Park

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Hugh

The weather looked dreadful this morning, but there appeared to be enough time and light for a quick look-see, so I went to Truxtun to see what I could find. A pair of Beavers provided a little amusement, and I saw my first Cedar Waxwing at Truxtun, but the rain began soon thereafter.

I watched these Beavers gnaw down some foliage and return to their den.

This Red Eyed Vireo was one of the few active birds in the park.

It’s not hard to find a Cedar Waxwing, but this is the first one I’ve seen at Truxtun.

Northern Parula and More at Wooton Wetlands Preserve

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Hugh

If every day had light like today! If I had any sense, I’d stay home when the clouds and/or fog were too much. Anyway, the light gods were with me today, and a few nice birds cooperated with Dan P. and myself.

Blue Gray Gnatcatchers are also nesting.

OK, it’s a lot of Cedar Waxwings. but they were everywhere! In the group of three, they were passing a single berry back and forth to each other. They did this several times.

I’m annoyed he’s backlit, but it’s my first Ruby Throated Hummingbird of the year.

The Northern Parula is a handsome warbler.

This Indigo Bunting stayed around long enough for some good pictures.

I couldn’t get any closer to this Orchard Oriole, but he’s here for the record.

Common Yellowthroats are somewhat elusive at Wooton.

I don’t recall capturing two Red Eyed Vireos in one image before.

This Great Blue Heron flew overhead early in the day.

Peregrine Falcon at Truxtun Park.

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Hugh

Amid work, rain and high winds, I haven’t had much luck in the last few days. A trip to Wooton was rained out after an hour or so, and yesterday’s high winds discouraged any trips.
I got to Greenbury Point and Truxtun Park today, and, while it was better, I’m not seeing as much variety as I’d like.

Although we found a few nice birds at Wooton, only this Prairie Warbler was willing to pose.

This apparent Cooper’s Hawk was at Truxtun.

This Osprey is probably nesting at Truxtun.

I knew I was looking at something different as soon as I saw this Peregrine Falcon. He appears to be carrying a Barn swallow. Very exciting for me, as it’s my first Peregrine.

This Great Blue Heron was fishing at Truxtun.

Just like last year, Greenbury is loaded with Yellow Breasted Chats.

This Cardinal was hanging out with the Chats.

The Brown Headed Cowbird is no one’s favorite, but he’s not bad looking.

Eastern Kingbirds aren’t very abundant yet.

Pied Billed Grebe at Lake Artemesia

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Hugh

After several slow days I decided to go back to Artemesia and see if my luck continued. It wasn’t as good, but it was an improvement over my recent forays.

The male Yellow Warbler has completed the nest and is now feeding his mate, who appears to be brooding the eggs.

This brightly colored Turtle seems to be used to people passing by.

Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows fill the air above the lake.

This Pied Billed Grebe is in breeding plumage.

I don’t often see Barn Swallows at rest.

Cedar Waxwings roam the park constantly.

I’m more used to seeing a Spotted Sandpiper in a marsh than at a lake.

These Canada Goose goslings are completely unafraid of humans.

This Mallard was taking her ducklings out to breakfast.

There are many Orchard Orioles at the lake.

Red Shouldered Hawk at Tawes Garden

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Hugh

Between the rainy, cloudy weather and work, I haven’t gottten much done in the last few days. The little time I’ve spent birding has been quite unproductive in terms of migrating birds, which is my focus at the moment.
Here’s a few images form the various places I’ve been recently.

I’ve photographed the Red Shouldered Hawk before. Look closely, and you’ll see he’s eating a frog.

It’s good to see the colorful Goldfinch is back for the Summer.

Cardinals are plentiful everywhere.

This Indigo Bunting is probably looking for a mate.

Several Snowy Egrets were fishing in this pond.

Eastern Kingbirds are becoming more numerous.

This Cedar Waxwing was gathering nesting material.

It’s unusual for me to see this much of a Beaver out of the water.

I saw a large bird fly into a tree in the parking lot and snapped a couple of quick pictures. I was surprised to see it’s a Yellow Billed Cuckoo.

American Redstart at Governor’s Bridge

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Hugh

I had a small job to do this morning, so I got off to a latish start, but still arrived at Governor’s Bridge by 7:30.
Despite the perfect weather, warblers were a bit scarce. I met a few of the regulars who know much more than I do, and no one was doing really well. Where are the warblers?
I still managed a few decent shots, but it was hard work.
Thanks to Gail M. for all the good spotting.

This Prothonotary Warbler was in the same area of the park as last time. I heard he has a nest there.

If you know the song of the Red Eyed Vireo, you’ll hear it every woods around here in the Spring and Summer.

The Yellow Breasted Chat has a truly bizarre song, that always makes me laugh.

This Indigo Bunting was quite serene, even when surrounded by three photographers.

This Northern Parula was somewhat elusive, but patience paid off.

This American Redstart female was also quite elusive.

Pileated Woodpecker at Lake Artemesia

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Hugh

Usually I know how to make the page title, but today I did so well I wasn’t at all sure. The Pileated feeding his young was so spectacular, I went with that, but I think there are several more good images.

I was very lucky to find this Pileated with the help of my friend. I’ve seen a lot of Pileated Woodpeckers, but have never witnessed this feeding routine.

Even in bad light, the adult male Baltimore Oriole is a spectacular sight.

The immature Orchard Oriole is a nice sight also.

This Bullfrog was quite content to pose.

This Turtle was enjoying the sunshine.

This Canada Goose family was having a pleasant outing.

I was a little surprised to see a Common Loon fishing in the lake.

A large flock of Cedar Waxwings was flying from tree to tree.

I watched this Yellow Warbler build his nest for quite a while.

These Double Crested Cormorants were resting on an unused Osprey platform.

This Common Yellowthroat Warbler was the first bird I saw his morning.

I photographed this Wood Duck from behind a tree.

Great Egret at Terrapin Nature Park

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Hugh

The weather looked very good this morning, so I headed to Terrapin to see if I could find some warblers, which have been in short supply here. I had no luck with warblers, but I found a few birds who posed nicely in the excellent light.