Hooded Merganser at Schoolhouse Pond

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.

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

This Great Blue Heron let me get very close.

Hooded Merganser

Hooded Merganser

Hooded Merganser

Hooded Merganser

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

Bald Eagle

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

Hermit Thrush

Hermit Thrush

Hermit Thrush

This Hermit Thrush posed very nicely.

Red Shouldered Hawk

Red Shouldered Hawk

This Red Shouldered Hawk landed right over my head.

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker

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

Northern Shoveller

Northern Shoveller

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

Northern Shoveller 26

Northern Cardinal

This Northern Cardinal was singing loudly.

Carolina Wren

This Carolina Wren was foraging vigorously.

American Coot

There were only two American Coots.