The perfect weather has ended for the moment. It was very cloudy until 9:00 or so, and it was difficult to get any decent photos. It was just as well, because migrants were scarce anyway.
I spent a little time looking for bugs, but the day was almost a waste.
Monthly Archives: August 2014
Tennessee Warbler at Governor Bridge Natural Area
I can’t recall a MD Summer with such consistently good weather. I left for Governor Bridge early in hopes of making up for the barren VA trip, and I did well enough. There were actually quite a few migrants in the area, and I managed to get a few. I’ll be gong back tomorrow to get the rest.
Graeme showed up, and we found a few bugs together.
Yellow Rumped Warbler at Shenandoah National Park
Graeme and I went to Shenandoah NP yesterday to look for birds, and, hopefully a bear.
Birding was a lot slower than we had hoped, and the bears eluded us.
On the insect front, we had hoped to find some butterflies, but they they, too were scarce.
Baltimore Oriole at Governor Bridge Natural Area
American Redstart at Terrapin Nature Park
I read about some good birds at Terrapin yesterday, so I decided to give it a try. I found a few, but it was no bonanza. The park rangers have taken to patrolling in motorized carts, and they scare away the birds on every pass, and they come through all too frequently.
I managed to find a few bugs as well.
Spiders Galore at Governor Bridge Natural Area
With another perfect day and last night’s North winds, I anticipated an influx of migrants, but it just didn’t happen. Birds were scarce in general, and not a migrant was in sight.
I did see a few bugs, and more spiders than usual.
Macro Photography with the Raynox DCR 250
A few months ago, I started using my Nikkor 55mm with a 12mm extension tube for macro shots. I had been using a Nikon 55mm micro with a TC-2 converter, but the manual focus was difficult for my 70 year old eyes. I was getting some good shots, but i had a lot of blurry shots to delete, as well. Results were much better with AF. I then read ab out the DCR 250 on a FB Macro group, and I ordered one. Graeme was skeptical at the time, and I wasn’t sure if it was worth the $70.00 cost. Well, we’re both sold now, and Graeme is now using it as well.
Graeme has just made a video with a detailed explanation of the gear and techniques.
American Redstart at Wooton Wetlands Preserve
This is a nice variety compared to recent days.[/caption]It was in the low 60s this morning, so I was wearing a light jacket when I arrived around 6:30.
Plenty of birds were active, and I got some good shots almost immediately.
I was going to walk the upper trail, but I got distracted by some good bugs.