This bush is growing very near my house.

The small creek at Truxtun has many turtles.

Not a great shot, but the long bill tells us this is a Hairy Woodpecker.

This Downy Woodpecker was very vocal.

This female Red Bellied Woodpecker is probably nesting in the park.

I haven’t gotten good Blue Jay in quite a while.

This little spider is about 3/8″ long.

Dan Haas ,  fearless leader and birder extraordinaire.

A distant Palm Warbler.

I was lucky to get any shot at all of this Blue Headed Vireo, who was high in the treetops.

A distant Palm Warbler.

This 4  foot Black Snake was today’s star.

Today’s bugs.

These Turtles were enjoying the sunshine.

Cornell:”Nuthatches are active, agile little birds with an appetite for insects and large, meaty seeds. They get their common name from their habit of jamming large nuts and acorns into tree bark, then whacking them with their sharp bill to “hatch” out the seed from the inside. White-breasted Nuthatches may be small but their voices are loud, and often their insistent nasal yammering will lead you right to them.”

This Tufted Titmouse seemed to be curious about me.

Northern Rough Winged Swallows went missing last year.

This Osprey was cruising at Quiet Waters.

This Cardinal is probably building a nest very near to where I found her.

The Cardinal is a very successful species.

You can hear the song of the White Eyed Vireo every place I  go.

Blue Gray Gnatcatchers are well represented now.

Another late White Throated Sparrow.

Many people say the Prothonotary Warbler is their favorite.

A common flower whose name I don’t know.

Experiment with water drops.

There’s usually a few Canada Geese at Wooton.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen an Eastern Towhee.

Tree Swallows are very active at Wooton.

This Chipping Sparrow was singing for a mate.

White Throated Sparrows will be headed North soon.

These Chickadees were pursuing one another aggressively.

This Chipping Sparrow was singing for a mate.

Field Sparrows will be easier to find now.

Swamp Sparrow are usually found close to the water’s edge.

For a while, I was surrounded by Common Yellowthroats.

A very small spider.

Today’s bugs.

Spring flower.

A beetle of some kind.

I haven’t seen this one before.

The first Spider of Spring.

This is a favored Osprey perch at Possum Point.

This Osprey was fishing at Quiet Waters.

Horned Grebes have to run across the water to take flight.

Cardinals are singing everywhere.

My first migrating Palm Warbler of the season.

This Fox was crossing the Truxtun Park bridge.

The Great Blue Herons were less active than on my last visit.

I don’t recall seeing this many Horned Grebes in previous years.

My favorite Wood Ducks flew right over my head.

Cornell:The simple trills of the Swamp Sparrow ring in spring and summer across eastern and central North America. Its name is appropriate, as it does live in swamps, but it can be found in a wide range of other wetland habitats too.”

This small Musk Turtle was making his way across the path at Wooton.

This is my first Blue Gray Gnatcatcher of the season.

It’s tough to get flight shots of Tree Swallows, who fly erratically as they chase insects.

Many ducks, like these Mallards, fly over Wooton.

I was lucky to get a look at this Red Tailed Hawk, who flew by quickly.

I saw 10 or more Great Blue Herons fly over, so there must be a heronry nearby.

This Cardinal and her mate were foraging on the path from the parking lot.

This Ruby Crowned Kinglet was feeding at Truxtun Park.

I found this Song Sparrow at Sands Road.

I ran across a small flock of these colorful Cedar Waxwings.

Sunrise at Possum Point.

I assume these Ospreys are getting used to people, as I can sometimes get very close.

This Ring Billed Gull is a juvenile.

Wikipedia: Nymphalis antiopa, known as the Mourning Cloak in North America and the Camberwell Beauty in Britain, is a large butterfly native to Eurasia and North America. See also Anglewing butterflies. The immature form of this species is sometimes known as the spiny elm caterpillar. Other older names for this species include Grand Surprise and White Petticoat. A powerful flier, this species is sometimes found in areas far from its usual range during migration. These butterflies have a life-span of 11 to 12 months, one of the most extensive life-spans for any butterfly.

Sunrise at Possum Point.

The Osprey dominates the sky in Chesapeake Bay Spring and Summer.

Mallards in breeding plumage are beautiful.

Horned Grebes often forage close to shore, and don’t spook easily.

The Horned Grebe spends most of its life on the water, even as a chick. Like other Grebes, it can’t walk on land because its feet are so far back on its body. It can only flop and hop which means it can only take off from the water. It is also reported to eat its feathers which can be up to 55% of its stomach contents. Scientists believe the feathers protect the stomach from sharp fish bones that its gizzard can’t handle. The voice of the Horned Grebe is a series of interesting croaks and chattering, followed by a few long shrieks. In the summer you might hear whining.  http://www.birdinginformation.com/birds/grebes/horned-grebe/

Cornell: “Bufflehead nest in old woodpecker holes, particularly those made by Northern Flickers, in the forests of northern North America.”

This pair of Wood Ducks is nesting at Quiet Waters.

Cornell: ” Common Loons are powerful, agile divers that catch small fish in fast underwater chases. They are less suited to land, and typically come ashore only to nest.”