Common Yellowthroat Warbler at Greenbury point

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Hugh

I left the house shortly after sunrise to beat the heat, and it was a good idea. It got well into the 90s today. I was home shortly after 9:00.
I was surprised to find a goat compound along the trail, and to see thata number of new paths are now open due to some land clearing. They look very promising.
I was surrounded by Yellow Breasted Chats, as is usual at Greenbury.

I was pleaded to find this Common Yellowthroat Warbler, as I haven’t seen many at Greenbury.

Although the call of the Yellow Breasted Chat is ubiquitous, it’s not always easy to see one.

The Brown Thrasher is another bird I don’t often see at Greenbury.

There were hundreds of Grackles in the bushes. This may be a juvenile.

Western Tiger Swallowtails were everywhere.

I only had a moment to snap this Great Blue Heron as he flew overhead.

I was surprised to come upon a compound housing 6-8 goats near the trail.

Osprey at Terrapin Nature Park

Posted on July 14, 2013 by Hugh

It looked like a promising morning despite the weatherman’s predictions of rain, so I headed for Terrapin, where I haven’t been lately. I was surprised to find that the Bay Bridge toll has been increased to $6.00, which was annoying.
I was also surprised to find two of the main paths at Terrapin blocked by downed trees. I assume they’ll fix that soon.
It was very humid, and buggy, and birds were in short supply. I watched the Terns fishing in the marsh pond for a while, then headed home early.

This young rabbit was almost totally unafraid.

Several Common Terns were fishing, but they didn’t often come close enough for a decent picture.

I watched this Osprey catch this large fish, then he flew by so closely that he didn’t quite fit in the frame.

This Red Winged Blackbird landed in a tree right next to me.

Eastern Phoebe at Wooton Wetlands Preserve.

Posted on July 13, 2013 by Hugh

Work and weather have conspired against me once again, but I did get out for a few hours over the last few days. The birding doldrums are on us, but here’s a few images that are passable.

This is Blackie, the abandoned cat we’ve adopted. She stays outdoors, but drops by for a daily meal.

These Beetles found a way to pass the time after yesterday’s rain.

Common Yellowthroat Warblers are still singing.

I see Cardinals very often.

I had ID’d this as a Monarch, but the experts tell me it’s a Viceroy.
Wikipeida:”The Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) is a North American butterfly with a range from the Northwest Territories along the eastern edges of the Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada mountains, southwards into central Mexico.
Its wings feature an orange and black pattern, and over most of its range it is a Müllerian mimic[1] with the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). The viceroy’s wingspan is between 53 and 81 mm.[2] It can be distinguished from the Monarch by its smaller size and the postmedian black line that runs across the veins on the hindwing.[2″

“The Eastern Phoebe is a small passerine bird. This tyrant flycatcher breeds in eastern North America, although its normal range does not include the southeastern coastal USA. It is migratory, wintering in the southernmost USA and Central America. “

The Spicebush Swallowtail is present most places I go.

This Great Blue Heron was unusually complacent, remaining in place even as a jogger went by.

There are many Yellow Breasted Chats at Wooton, but they seem to be more reclusive than at other places.

Painted Bunting on the WBA Trail.

Posted on July 7, 2013 by Hugh

The MD Birding Email List has reported the Painted Bunting several times, so I took a chance and drove to Glenn Dale to get a look. This bird is well North of his usual range, and is a nice find.
I stopped at Governor Bridge on the way home, but it was pretty quiet.

This House Finch was foraging high in the treetops.

This Tufted Titmouse repeatedly slammed the caterpillar against the branch before eating it.

A family of Red Bellied Woodpeckers was hanging out at this dead tree.

This remarkably colored Painted Bunting shouldn’t be much further North than North Carolina.

Cedar Waxwing at Wooton Wetlands preserve.

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Hugh

Between rain and work I’ve had a couple of slow days. I did get a few images, but nothing worthy of my fans.
Today I went early to Wooton in order to beat the heat and humidity. I found a few good birds in bad light, and a rare (For Me) Raccoon.

Grackles aren’t a favorite, but I liked this pose.

This Catbird must have been bathing.

I don’t see many Raccoons, especially in the daytime.

It’s been a while since I’ve photographed a Carolina Wren.

White Eyed Vireos are often very secretive, so I was glad to find this guy.

A small flock of Cedar Waxwings was feeding on these cherries.

This Green Heron and a pal were hanging out in a dead tree

This Belted Kingfisher is an example of a good bird in bad light.

Blue Gray Gnatcatchers were abundant today.

It was tough to get a good look at this Orchard Oriole.

Common Yellowthroat Warbler at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Hugh

The day looked iffy when I awoke, but the Sun was shining a little around 6:00, so I took a chance and headed out.
It wasn’t a spectacular day, but I found a few birds in good light.