Ring Necked Duck at Lake Artmesia.

Posted on November 12, 2016 by Hugh

I went to Artemesia on this Saturday, and there was virtually no traffic. I really don’t like commuter traffic, and I find driving in the dark isn’t as easy as it used to be. Old age is not for sissies.

Artemesia was well populated with ducks this morning, and I made three trips around the lake to get good views of them all.

I was alerted to some nearby Wood Ducks by a fellow birder, and added them to my total as I left.

Views of Lake Artemesia.

I was surprised to see these Hooded Mergansers hanging out with the Wood Ducks.

These Wood Ducks were in the stream that adjoins the lake.

Two Hooded Mergansers were foraging with the Buffleheads.

A large flock of Buffleheads was moving up and down the lake.

Many Canada Geese were feeding in the lake.

Ruddy Ducks were well represented also.

This great Blue Heron was fishing near shore.

I saw this Double Crested Cormorant fly in.

At least three Pied Billed Grebes were foraging along the edges of the lake.

20 or so Ring Necked Ducks were in the lake.

Say’s Phoebe at Sandy Point State Park.

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Hugh

After another ordinary sunrise, I went looking for the Say’s Phoebe that was reported in the area, to no avail.

I spent an hour a Terrapin without seeing anything interesting, then went to CBEC, which was only marginally better.

On the way home, I stopped at Sandy Point again, and got lucky this time. This Phoebe belongs many (1000 or more) miles west of here, so it’s quite a treat to find one.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This Bald Eagle flew over my head at CBEC.

Cornell: “Like other phoebes, the rusty-bellied Say’s Phoebe is common around people, often nesting on buildings. A bird of open country, it is found from Alaska through Mexico.”

Pied Billed Grebe at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Hugh

With the earlier sunrise, I decided to try Artemesia this morning to see if I could beat the traffic. It wasn’t too bad, but not as good as a weekend.

There was fog early, but it cleared up around 8:30 and I found a few good birds.

Views of Lake Artemesia.

This Mallard looked too good to pass up.

There’s always a few Mockingbirds nearby.

A few Song Sparrows were foraging at Lakeside.

Cedar Waxwings were feeding in large numbers.

This Pied Billed Grebe got closer than most.

Eastern Bluebird at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.

Posted on November 7, 2016 by Hugh

I stopped at Sandy Point again this morning, but it was yet another plain jane sunrise, so I passed.

Terrapin was almost a complete bust, with only a few geese and seagulls to show for the effort. The small birds seem to be hiding.

CBEC was more active, with ducks and sparrows, as well as a few very fast hawks.

There were hundreds of Cedar Waxwings at Possum Point.

Many Dark Eyed Juncos were feeding in the bushes.

This lone Goldfinch was perched on the access road.

This Mallard flew over the marsh.

I found this Northern Flicker at Greenbury Point yesterday.

Mallards always look good in the right light.

This is only the second time I’ve seen Northern Pintails at CBEC.

This Bald Eagle was fishing near the marina.

CBEC had a lot of Bluebirds today. They’ve been scarce in other places.

American Coot at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on November 5, 2016 by Hugh

On Saturdays it’s possible to drive into the DC area without fighting commuter traffic, so I went back to Lake Artemesia. Early morning fog was a bummer, but it burned off after a while, and there were a few interesting birds around, including several duck species.

Some weren’t close enough for good pics, but I got a few decent shots.

I made a quick stop at Buddy Attick on the way home, without any success.