We had a nice break in the weather this morning. Temps in the 70s with low humidity and clear skies.
There was a fair amount of bird activity, and the bugs cooperated as well.

I saw several Common Yellowthroats this morning.

This Indigo Bunting was singing also.

This Orchard Oriole pair must have a nest nearby, as I see them often in this tree.

Blue Gray Gnatcatchers are very fast feeders.

This Eastern Towhee was singing from the same perch for 20 minutes.

This Red Winged Blackbird was foraging in the swamp.

It’s been several weeks since I saw a Brown Thrasher.

This Prothonotary Warbler visited the same tree 3 times in just a few minutes.

This Orb Weaver is making a meal of a Candystripe Leafhopper.

Today’s bugs.

I had a 9:00 appointment today, so I went to the local park to see what I could find.
It wasn’t a great trip, but I got a few useable images.

This (Wasp?) was behaving oddly. He kept trying to climb up on the plant, but seemed to be having trouble staying there.

Today’s bugs

It was 75 degrees when awoke around 4:30, and 80 when I got to Governor Bridge. The humidity rose quickly, making for a very short day.
I didn’t bother with the big lens at all, a first.
Bug hunting was a little slow, but I did get a few.

I saw three turtles out of the water today, presumably preparing to lay eggs.

Today’s bugs.

I haven’t been to Patuxent in a while, so it seemed to be worth a try. It was better than other recent trips, but it got hot and humid early.
I saw some birds I haven’t seen recently, but the bugs were strangely hard to find.

Too pretty to pass up.

This half-ass flight shot is still my best Green Heron in flight.

Tree Swallows are actively nesting.

Great Blue Herons are plentiful at Patuxent.

A pair of Eastern Phoebes was playing near the lake.

A small flock of Killdeer was feeding along the lakeshore.

This Orchard Oriole is nesting near the lake.

Two Deer were feeding along the lake’s edge.

Today’s bugs.

I believe this is a Gray Tree Frog.

Another day in paradise. I couldn’t ask for better weather, and it seemed like a good day to try something new, but I was wrong. Terrapin was oddly barren of good chances, and I got caught in a 45 minute traffic jam on the way home.
Even the bugging was slow, but I did find a few new ones.

It’s not often that a Red Winged Blackbird lands so close

There were 6 Wood Ducks in the pond, but they never got very close.

I was lucky to catch this Great Blue Heron as he left the pond.

Today’s bugs.

I can’t complain about the weather, but I wish the variety of birds would get better. Governor Bridge was better last year. I’m going to try elsewhere this week.
I did manage a few birds, and I looked in a few new place for bugs.

A few Cedar Waxwings were foraging near the small pond.

Blue Gray Gnatcatchers are still actively feeding.

I’ve seen an Indigo Bunting female in the same area several times now.

Even Red Eyed Vireos are less common.

Eastern Phoebes are flycatchers.

This the remains of a Wild Turkey killed in the big field.

Today’s bugs.

The gray, gloomy period has ended and light has returned to the land.
I got to Governor Bridge shortly after dawn and went up to the lake for a change. A few bird were around, but nothing special. I spent an hour in the field without much luck, then went after bugs, who were as prolific as yesterday. The Frog was a nice surprise.

Orchard Orioles have been easy to find this Spring.

I’m just starting to see more Flycatchers.

It seems to me that Indigo Buntings were more common last year.

I caught this Brown Thrasher just as the Sun came up.

Today’s bugs.

This beautifully camouflaged Green Tree Frog is the first I’ve seen.

Yet another seriously overcast day with the threat of drizzle. It started to clear up as the morning progressed, and the bugs got fairly active, with two exoskeletons and a few butterflies to liven things up.

I’m starting to see more snails.

Ladybug Pupa with exoskeleton.

Grasshopper exoskeleton.

Grasshopper exoskeleton.

Today’s bugs.

It was truly gloomy this morning, but the weatherman said no rain until noon, so I left early for Governor Bridge.
A light drizzle was falling when I arrived, so I covered the camera with a plastic bag and went bug hunting.
I didn’t expect to do well, as bugs are more active in the sunshine, but I was pleasantly surprised.

I liked the look of this Flower in the rain.

I’ve heard that snails used to be more common.

Today’s bugs.

Heavy rain and very loud thunder kept me home this morning. At least I got a few chores done.
I got to Quiet Waters around 10:00 and met some nice people along with some nice bugs.

This is an Eyed Elater, a member of the Click Beetle family.

Two Banded Japanese Weevil

Assassin Bug

Today’s Bugs

This Skink has lost part of its tail