Royal Tern at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Hugh

The last few days have been very slow;so slow I didn’t have much to post. High heat and humidity didn’t help much, and early morning clouds prevented much of a sunrise.

Today, there was a foot race of some kind at Terrapin, making it difficult to find any birds at all, so I found a few bugs instead.

A few days of Sandy Point at dawn.

This Snowy Egret was one of the few birds I found today.

This Cardinal seemed to be curious about me.

I expect to begin seeing more Bald Eagles now that the weather is changing.

A few Mallards have begun appearing.

Yet another Sandy Point Sanderling.

Common Yellowthroat Warblers are still passing through.

I’ve only seen a few Royal Terns, and never before at Terrapin.

Old Faithful and friends.

Today’s bugs.

Prairie Warbler at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Hugh

The sunrise was a little better than average, and I tried some tripod shots with the 300mm lens,which turned out OK. No good birds were around at Sandy Point, but some terns might show up soon.

Terrapin was much slower than yesterday. Still, I found a few warblers, and that’s good enough.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This American Redstart is either a female or a first year bird.

This is a Magnolia Warbler.

This bedraggled Carolina Wren is molting.

Many Blue Gray Gnatcatchers were on the move.

Several Cattle Egrets were feeding in the newly mowed field.

This is my second Prairie Warbler of the fall season.

Forster’s Tern at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 5, 2016 by Hugh

I stopped at Sandy Point for an hour and didn’t take a single picture. No birds, no sunrise, not even a colorful sky. Bummer.

Terrapin continues to delight. No new warblers, but a good supply of the old ones. They’re tough little buggers to shoot, as they are constantly feeding and often burrow deep into the trees, looking for insects.

Some terns put on a nice show. They can be as challenging as the warblers, as they move quickly and erratically, and are not at all large.

Several Chickadees were feeding noisily.

There’s just enough of this Northern Parula for an ID.

This Cardinal is molting.

I haven’t seen many Red Eyed Vireos this year.

A Downy Woodpecker was feeding alongside the warblers.

American Redstarts are still passing through in large numbers.

The Magnolia Warbler is another warbler who’s fall plumage is much duller than the spring plumage.

I saw a lot of Common Yellowthroat Warblers.

This is a Caspian Tern. Note the red beak, black head and large size.

The head color pattern can help ID the Forster’s Tern.

And a Monarch butterfly.

Canada Warbler at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 4, 2016 by Hugh

Sunrise was a little better this morning, but not spectacular. It wasn’t as windy as yesterday, when the sun was hardly visible at all.

I met Karen Caruso at Terrapin, where we had a very good warbler day. I’ve only seen one other Canada Warbler, so it was a real treat.

There wasn’t much else around, probably due to the high water, but I’ll settle for warblers any day.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This appears to be an Eastern Wood Peewee .

Ospreys are still fishing in the marsh ponds.

Black and White Warblers are among the early migrants.

I’m seeing more American Redstarts than any other warbler.

This Great Egret is from a few days ago.

This Great Crested Flycatcher will be moving on soon.

The Fall Magnolia Warbler is plain compared to the Spring version.

This Goldfinch has found a nice breakfast.

I recognized this Canada Warbler right away.

And a dragonfly.

Black and White Warbler at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Hugh

Sandy Point was wishy-washy again, but Terrapin was much better. Several warblers were around, Egrets, eagles and bugs appeared, and the weather was perfect.

I keep thinking I should try another place, but not yet.