Common Goldeneye at Jonas Green Park

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Hugh

It was cold this morning. The clear skies helped me get motivated to check out the scene anyway, and I started at Jonas Green Park, where there wasn’t much to see, but one duck made it worthwhile.
I got to Thomas Point around 9:30, and found a few close-in ducks, and some further out who were interesting.
A couple of fellow birders chatted a while, and I went home when the cold started seeping into my bones.

I’ve seen a lot of Common Goldeneyes lately.

This Long Tailed Duck is a hen. There was a drake, but too distant for a good photo.

I have’t seen a Double Crested Cormorant in a while.

I don’t often get this close to a Bufflehead.

Gull vs. Heron at Quiet Waters

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Hugh

With temps in the 40s and bright sunshine, I decided to try Quiet Waters early. I happened on a few nice birds and a silent battle over a good sized fish that was fun to watch.
I spent a few minutes at Thomas Point as well, but there were very few birds around.

I was carrying my tripod over my left shoulder when I fell, causing a spectacular bruise.

This Gull found a fish much too large for him to carry away.

This Great Blue Heron was more than up to the challenge.

Hooded Merganser 104 Hooded Merganser

Downy 144 Downy Woodpecker

I believe this is the first time I’ve seen Canvasbacks at Quiet Waters.

Long Tailed Duck at Thomas Point

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Hugh

I decided to give it a try this morning-it’s boring sitting around waiting to heal. I had to do everything one-handed, but I found a couple of birds to make it worthwhile.

This Bufflehead took off as I was watching him.

Song Sparrows were singing loudly.

I saw many more Long Tailed Ducks last year than this year.

Hazardous Birding

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Hugh

I’ve been out of action for a few days as I managed to slip on the ice and pull a muscle in my left arm. Looking back, it was quite foolish to try walking in those conditions, and I hope I’ve Learned my lesson.
Here’s a few images from previous days.

White Winged Scoter at Thomas Point

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Hugh

The weatherman had promised clear and warm but we got rain instead. I ran some errands I’ve been avoiding and managed to get out to Thomas Point early this afternoon. It didn’t look very promising, but a few decent birds turned up, even though they were a bit distant.

There weren’t many ducks at the point, and Lesser Scaups were dominant

I only saw one Surf Scoter.

This Song Sparrow was feeding right in front of me.

Even Buffleheads were in short supply.

Three female Common Goldeneyes were foraging together.

This Bald Eagle was a beautiful sight against the bkue sky.

A small group of Tundra Swans was feeding in the cove.

I haven’t seen many White Winged Scoters, so I wasn’t sure what this was at first.

Fungus on trees near the point.

Brown Headed Nuthatch at CBEC

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Hugh

It’s Tuesday, so Thomas Point and Quiet Waters are closed. I decided to make the same circuit, and got to Jonas Green about 8:30. It was devoid of ducks, so Kent Narrows was next. The Narrows is ice-free, but the ducks just weren’t there. CBEC was much better, but it was a slower day than I had hoped.

I waited about half an hour after I heard this Belted Kingfisher to catch him in flight.

Another very cold Rock Dove.

A good shot of this Turkey Vulture drying his wings.

I took this Ring Billed Gull shot while waiting for the Kingfisher.

The light was perfect for this Red Bellied Woodpecker.

This Black Backed Seagull was resting.

Cardinals are singing everywhere.

I haven’t seen a Red Tailed Hawk in a while.

I was lucky to catch these small, quick Brown Headed Nuthatches in good light.

Bufflehead at Kent Narrows

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Hugh

The morning was very cold, but the light was decent enough, so I headed to Jonas Green with no real plan in mind. Thomas Point and Sandy Point are still closed because of the snow, and Jonas Green was a disappointment, with very few birds. After a short while I went to Kent Narrows, which was much better, then CBEC, which was barren.

Tracks in the snow.

The water colors complement this Canvasback.

There were more American Coots than usual.

Buffleheads seem to be pairing off.

Lesser Scaup were plentiful.

Hooded Merganser at Schoolhouse Pond

Posted on February 16, 2014 by Hugh

I’ve been hearing good things about Schoolhouse Pond for a while, so I decided to make the trek to Upper Marlboro.
The lake was mostly frozen over, but a small open area held a few birds, and the surrounding woods looked promising.
I’m sure I’ll go back when the weather breaks a bit.

This Great Blue Heron let me get very close.

These Hooded Mergansers stayed at the far end of the open water.

These distant Bald Eagles were looking over the breakfast menu on the lake.

This Hermit Thrush posed very nicely.

This Red Shouldered Hawk landed right over my head.

I haven’t seen a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker in several weeks.

I haven’t seen many Northern Shovellers outside of Blackwater.

This Northern Cardinal was singing loudly.

This Carolina Wren was foraging vigorously.

There were only two American Coots.

Red Breasted Merganser at Kent Narrows

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Hugh

There was a lot of snow on the ground, but the light was good and the temps were more than tolerable, so I headed to Jonas Green, with the intention of hitting Thomas Point afterward.
The park ranger told me Thomas Point was closed, so I took a few decent shots and went to Kent Narrows, where the variety was limited, but the light was very good.

A pair of Yellow Rumped Warblers was foraging in the snow.

I don’t often try landscapes, but the ducks in the foreground inspired me.

There were a few hundred ducks around, but this was the only Red Breasted Merganser I saw.

Kent Narrows seems to be a good place for Great Blue Heron close ups.

There’s always a few Mallards around.

This Bufflehead was having a nice nap.

I haven’t gotten a good Cardinal in a while.

I like the light on these Canvasbacks.

Lesser Scaups were the dominant duck.

American Coots seem to like Kent Narrows.

I’m not sure what this Gull is carrying.

Long Tailed Duck at Jonas Green Park

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Hugh

It was very cold this morning;around 20 degrees. I went to Jonas Green Park around 7:30 and was lucky to find my FOS Long Tail. There were a few other nice birds around, but at a distance.
I then went to Thomas Point and got a few goods shots, but it was way too cold to stay long.