Indigo Bunting at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

It was the kind of day when staying home might have been the better option. I had hopes that the gray, cloudy skies might clear up, but it was not to be.
I quit early, but found a few decent birds and an interesting moth, in lousy light.

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Buntings are easy to find.


Scarlet Tanager

I was surprised to find this Scarlet Tanager hanging out with a flock of Cedar Waxwings.


Moth

Moth

With better light, this Giant Moth might have made a good picture. My experts tell me it’s a Hummingbird Clearwing (hemaris thysbe).


Baltimore Oriole

This appears to be a first year Baltimore Oriole.

Orchard Oriole at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

Yes, back to Governor Bridge again. It’s quite close to home and has a great variety of habitat and birds. I’m highlighting the Orchard Oriole because it’s the best image of the lot, but some of the other shots were pleasing as well.

Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole

The Baltimore Oriole nest is located on an island in the large lake.

Eastern Phoebe

I seem to be finding an Eastern Phoebe on most visits.


Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

I’m getting some better Ruby Throated Hummingbird images now.

Western Tiger Swallowtail

I’m getting these Western Tiger Swallowtails while waiting for the hummingbirds.


Prothonotary Warbler

This Prothonotary Warbler flew into the scene while I was looking for the Baltimore Oriole.

Orchard Oriole

Orchard Oriole

I’ve seen many Orchard Orioles, but this male provided my best images yet.

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Buntings are still present in large numbers.

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireos have been very cooperative lately.


Robin

First year Robins are plentiful.


Robin

I ran into Dan Potter and his mega-camera shortly after I arrived. There were many birders present today.

Brown Thrasher at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

Another late start. Gabrielle, my 17 year old Tabby, has been under the weather, so we took her to the vet for a check up. Nothing remarkable, just slowing down.
It was getting hot, and the humidity was noticeable by the time I got started. Even though I found a few nice birds, they weren’t terrible cooperative, but I’m showing what I got.
Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

Sometimes it’s hard to find an Indigo Bunting who’s not singing.


Brown Thrasher

The light was great, but this Brown Thrasher stayed partially hidden.


Eastern Phoebe

This Eastern Phoebe flew into a bush right in front of me.

Dragonfly

Dragonfly

I’m not sure I’ve seen this Dragonfly before.


Wasp

I would like to have gotten a better image of this large, colorful Wasp.


Yellow Breasted Chat

In general, Yellow Breasted Chats are pretty secretive.


Red Bellied Woodpecker

This female Red Bellied Woodpecker was foraging high in a dead tree.

Scarlet Tanager at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

I got a late start this morning, for no good reason at all, but I still managed to snap the first picture by 7:20.
I spent some more time trying for the hummingbird, with modest success, but the real highlight was a Scarlet Tanager, a bird that has eluded me for over a year.

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

It appeared that the male was feeding a young bird.


Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

This pair of Indigo Buntings was foraging in the same tree as the Tanagers.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

I’m getting a little better at capturing these Ruby Throated Hummingbirds in flight, but it’s difficult.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Even at rest it’s not easy to get these birds right.

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

The Common Yellowthroat likes the mimosa tree as much as the hummingbird does.

Yellow Breasted Chat at Greenbury Point.

I had a busy morning, with a doctor’s appointment and a computer repair, so I only had a short while to get out.
I arrived around 8:0 and was greeted by the sounds of the numerous Yellow Breasted Chats nesting in the area.
A couple of other birds showed up to make my abbreviated stay worthwhile.

Yellow Breasted Chat

Yellow Breasted Chat

Yellow Breasted Chat

Yellow Breasted Chat

Yellow Breasted Chat

Yellow Breasted Chat

Notice the distended throat on the Yellow Breasted Chat above. I assume it has something to do with their raucous call.


Bumblebee

This Bumblebee is a different color than the ones I usually see.


Osprey

This Osprey is taking dinner home.


Great Crested Flycatcher

The Great Crested Flycatcher is a favorite of mine.


Blue Grosbeak

Many Blue Grosbeaks are nesting at Greenbury Point.

Eastern Towhee at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

Governor Bridge is about 20 minutes from my house, so I’ve been spending more time there than at most places.The hummingbird is a big attraction because I know where to find him, and it’s got a good variety of birds and habitat.

Eastern Phoebe

I saw this Eastern Phoebe as I was leaving the park.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Some day I’ll get this Ruby Throated Hummingbird perfectly.


Western Tiger Swallowtail

Western Tiger Swallowtail

This is a bird Blog, but these Western Tiger Swallowtails are close enough.


Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

You hear a lot of Red Eyed Vireos, but they don’t always pose this well.

Eastern Towhee

Eastern Towhee

Eastern Towhee

Eastern Towhee

This is the first Eastern Towhee I’ve photographed at Governor Bridge.

Eastern Phoebe at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

I went out yesterday, but the rain came early and I didn’t get much. Today, was better, clear skies and a bit warmer. My obsession to get a great Hummingbird image continues. All I need is perfect light and a a whole lot of luck.
Fortunately, some other birds came along to brighten up the day.
Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Too many Ruby Throated Hummingbirds?
My Blog, my rules. 🙂


Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

Governor Bridge is well populated with Indigo Buntings.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

This Blue Gray Gnatcatcher came along while I was waiting for the hummingbird.

Common Yellowthroat

This Common Yellowthroat also appeared, and I neglected to change the shutter speed, hence the grainy appearance.


Dragonfly

Dragonfly

Waiting for a bird to appear? There’s always a Dragonfly nearby.

Great Crested Flycatcher

This Great Crested Flycatcher also appeared during the hummingbird vigil.

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Phoebe

I believe this is the first Eastern Phoebe I’ve photographed this year.

Bumblebee

There’s no shortage of Bumblebees, either.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

This female Red Bellied Woodpecker is from yesterday.

Cardinal

Cardinal

A pair of Cardinals are always foraging near the small ponds.

White Eyed Vireo

This White Eyed Vireo was also near the small ponds.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Regina pointed out this Red Bellied Woodpecker.

Spider Web

My first attempt at a Spider Web.

Cedar Waxwing

This Cedar Waxwing is also from yesterday.

Red Bellied Woodpecker at Governor Bridge Natural Area

Another perfect day! I had arranged to meet my friend Graeme at 7:00, and I got there about 6:30 for a quick look around. We roamed the canoe area for awhile, then circled the lake, which continues to disappoint.
We found a Bed Belly feeding on berried, then took one more look around the canoe launch before calling it a day around 10:00.

Acadian Flycatcher

We found this Acadian Flycatcher deep in the woods, so I left him dark to show the environment.


Red Bellied Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpecker

I’ve seen this before, but it still seems unusual to see a Red Bellied Woodpecker feeding on berries.

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Buntings are thriving at Governor Bridge.


Cardinal

Cardinal

This Cardinal and his mate were feeding rapidly.

Robin

Robin

Like many young birds, this juvenile Robin wasn’t at all afraid of us.

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

This Prothonotary Warbler was a nice find.


Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

This Ruby Throated Hummingbird is still hanging out at the same spot.


Dragonfly

Dragonfly

This Dragonfly was eating a small Beetle.


White Eyed Vireo

This White Eyed Vireo was reluctant to come into the open.

Chickadee

This Chickadee paused in his feeding long enough to pose.


Orchard Oriole

This female Orchard Oriole was the first bird I saw this morning.

Brown Thrasher

This is the first Brown Thrasher I’ve seen at Governor Bridge.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

I stayed up late last night (Online pool, my guilty secret), so I got a late start and didn’t take my first picture until 9:00.
I met some birders who said they’d done well near the big lake, which has never been productive for me, and today was no different. Then, I wandered down by the canoe launch and found a Hummingbird out in the swamp. I got seriously wet, but it was worth it.
Ruby Throated Hummingbird
Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird
Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

I was photographing this Ruby Throated Hummingbird when he left his perch and flew to a nearby bush. Lucky me.


Western Tiger Swallowtail

This Western Tiger Swallowtail was in the same bush.

Dragonfly

Dragonfly

When birds are in short supply,a dragonfly will do.

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

This Red Eyed Vireo appears to be gathering spider silk for his nest.


Acadian Flycatcher

You can almost always find an Acadian Flycatcher.

Green Heron at Wooton Wetlands Preserve.

At dawn it looked like a clear, bright sky was in store, so I left the house around 6:00 to go back to Wooton, which is relatively close and has been very productive.
A Green Heron popped up right away, and the pics are reasonable even though he was backlit. A few others posed briefly, and it was a decent day with cool temps.
White Eyed Vireo

White Eyed Vireo

You can hear the song of the White Eyed Vireo everywhere at Wooton.



Ruby Throated Hummingbird

A Ruby Throated Hummingbird is about 4″ long, and this is what you see without magnification.


Silver-bordered Fritillary

I’m calling this a Silver-bordered Fritillary.


Catbird

It’s not hard to find these loudly singing Catbirds.


Chickadee

Chickadee

It’s a lot of fun to watch these little gymnasts.

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing

This Cedar Waxwing may be repairing his nest.

Common Yellowthroat

This Common Yellowthroat was in the Hummingbird’s tree.

Green Heron

Green Heron

Green Heron

I haven’t gotten this close to many Green Herons this year.

Great Blue Heron

This Great Blue Heron seemed to be resting.

Orchid

There are many of these Orchids around the ponds.Thanks to Mark for naming this as Trumpet Creeper/Vine.

Yellow Billed Cuckoo

I didn’t recognize this Yellow Billed Cuckoo at first.