Red Breasted Merganser at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on June 14, 2016 by Hugh

Well, it’s my birthday and I treated myself to an easy trip to Lake Artemesia. The mergansers were a surprise-they look young and it makes me wonder if they were born around here.

I tracked down the Yellow Warbler’s nest, but the orioles remain elusive;easy to hear, hard to spot.

Lake Artemesia.

I’ve seen the Green Heron in this tree several times.

This Yellow Warbler was making many trips to feed his babies.

This Robin posed nicely.

It was a Wood Duck kind of day.

These Red Breasted Merganser appear to be juveniles.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird at Patuxent NWR.

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Hugh

I tried Patuxent South this morning in hopes of a few different birds, but didn’t have much luck. I walked around both lakes, and heard a few birds, but couldn’t get them to pose.

I also topped at Patuxent North Tract, but could only find a couple of hummingbirds in the shade.

Views of Patuxent South.

This Indigo Bunting was the best bird of the day.

I haven’t seen many Bluebirds this year.

This Blackbird was protecting his nest from the Osprey.

A pair of Mallards flew the length of the lake.

You can usually find a Killdeer at Patuxent.

It’s tough to get a good Ruby Throated Hummingbird image in the shade.

Today’s bugs.

Yellow Warbler at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Hugh

I didn’t decide where to go this morning until I got in the car. I was thinking about repeating yesterday’s outing, but the lake was calling. I made the right call, for a change.

Wood Ducks are still escorting their chicks, Orioles are still elusive and the weather is holding well.

Lake Artemesia.

I would have gotten closer to this Green Heron , but a jogger spooked him.

This Osprey was fishing, but had no luck while I was watching.

I liked this Mockingbird ‘s pose.

I liked this Mockingbird’s pose.

These Barn Swallows were gathering nesting material.

Tree Swallows are constantly in the air at Artemesia.

Wood Ducks are doing very well, and becoming less shy.

I found this Yellow Warbler’s nest, but it’s deep in a bush and good images aren’t possible.

Today’s flowers.

Barn Swallow at Schoolhouse Pond.

Posted on June 11, 2016 by Hugh

I went for the change-up today, and went to Schoolhouse Pond in Upper Marlboro, followed by a stop at Governor Bridge. It wasn’t a barn burner, but I found a few good birds.

I spent some time looking for insects, also, and it was good to see they are coming out.

Schoolhouse Pond.

I couldn’t get any closer to this Baltimore Oriole.

I don’t often see Field Sparrows at Governor Bridge.

This female Eastern Towhee greeted me at Governor Bridge.

I was glad see this Indigo Bunting.

I’m not seeing as many Eastern Phoebes as in previous years.

This House Sparrow has found a dragonfly.

This Barn Swallow is gathering mud and grass for his nest.

This Snail was on a milkweed plant.

This butterfly is a Fritillary.

Today’s flowers.

Baltimore Oriole at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on June 10, 2016 by Hugh

I talked to Graeme last night about Buddy Attick, and he said there wasn’t much happening, so I went back to Artemesia this morning. It was a good choice.

There are still Wood Ducks with young, and a few more birds than previously showed themselves. The light was ideal, and I got a few decent images.

Views of the lake.

It’s rare to find a Tree Swallow in a tree.

A small flock of Goldfinches was roaming the island.

This Mallard was escorting her young.

This Crow landed on top of the gazebo.

This is the first Northern Rough Winged Swallow I’ve seen at Artemesia this year.

Purple Martins were more active today.

A pair of Eastern Kingbirds are nesting at the lake.

Young Wood Ducks are growing rapidly.

It’s easy to hear Baltimore Orioles at Artemesia, but hard to see them.

White Eyed Vireo at Greenbury Point.

Posted on June 9, 2016 by Hugh

I started at Sandy Point again, and the sunrise was totally blah.

I stopped briefly at Possum Point. but the construction is continuing and it’s closed.

Greenbury Point was fairly productive, but I missed some good birds also.

Great Crested Flycatchers nest at Greenbury Point.

I just caught this Green Heron as he flew over.

This Ruby Throated Hummingbird was resting between feedings.

I don”t see many Chickadees at Greenbury.

Ospreys nest and fish nearby.

This Mallard landed on the asphalt path and seemed to be lost.

I’m not sure what this Crow is carrying.

Indigo Buntings seem to be around every year.

A small flock of Goldfinches was foraging among the grass.

White Eyed Vireos are often heard, but more difficult to see.

Today’s bugs and flowers.

Eastern Kingbird at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on June 8, 2016 by Hugh

After nearly getting bitten to death, I decided to stay away from the marsh and head back to Lake Artemesia.

The weather was certainly right, but I’m not seeing much variety. In previous years there have been egrets, swans, more passerines and kingfishers that just aren’t showing up today. I don’t have any idea if this is significant.

Another view of Lake Artemesia.

A Great Blue Heron was chased all the way across the lake by a Red Winged Blackbird.

This Robin was eating berries rapidly.

Several Canada Goose families are living at the lake.

A mother’s work…

Wood Ducks are still present in large numbers-mostly hens with ducklings.

This Green Heron landed right near me.

Some Mourning Doves will let you get close.

I chased this Orchard Oriole for ten minutes to get any image at all.

This Red Winged Blackbird was calling to defend his territory.

I had to get help to ID this juvenile Starling.

A pair of Eastern Kingbird s has been hanging out near the same tree every day.

Green Heron at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on June 7, 2016 by Hugh

I took a look at the sunrise, which was quite banal, and went right to Terrapin, again. It was really rather dead, which seems unusual for early June, but I managed a couple of images.

I then went to CBEC, which had so many biting insects that I withdrew quickly, despite having a good layer of insecticide. I haven’t seen that many insects in a long time.

A single Crow flew over the pond.

I found this Brown Thrasher at CBEC.

Red Winged Blackbirds are nesting and defending their territory.

This Green Heron was fishing the marsh pond by himself.

This Terrapin was crossing the road at CBEC.

I found a single Horseshoe Crab at the beach.

This Deer was snoozing at the edge of the pond.

Green Heron at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Hugh

After two days of gray, rainy and cloudy we finally had some sunshine. I guessed at Lake Artemesia, and it turned out OK, but I’ve had better days there.

I don’t recall a day with so many Wood Duck chicks, and a few Goose and Mallard young were around as well. The species count was low, but good light makes up for it.

A view of Lake Artemesia.

This Mallard hen was guarding her ducklings, who were sleeping in the grass nearby.

I saw more Wood Duck chicks than any day previously.

Cardinals look good in the right light.

This Canada Goose gosling was not to be disturbed.

Several Canada Geese flew circles around the lake.

An odd pose for a Tree Swallow.

A pair of Eastern Kingbirds is always near this tree.

More Purple Martins.

A classic Red Winged Blackbird pose.

I just barely caught this Green Heron as he flew by.

This Turtle was probably looking for a place to lay her eggs.

Today’s flowers.

Great Crested Flycatcher at Greenbury Point.

Posted on June 2, 2016 by Hugh

I tried a new place on Mill Creek this morning. A friend lives there and invited me to take a look. It was a but foggy and cloudy, and I didn’t see anything interesting, but I’ll go back soon.

It’s not far from Greenbury Point, and I had a little better luck there. Most of the images were so-so due to the poor lighting, but I’m posting a couple of them.