Barn Swallows at Maple Dam Bridge.

I went to Blackwater again, and it was a good trip. I’m still not hearing about much around here, and Blackwater is holding up well.

I got there just before dawn and got a few sunrise shots, then went around Wildlife drive several times. My skunk friend was briefly in view, but Herons and Egrets have greatly decreased. I spotted the first Snowy Egrets of the year, but couldn’t get a shot.

Other birds were more cooperative, including an Osprey family and an Orchard Oriole.

Blackwater Dawn 11

Blackwater Dawn 10

Blackwater Dawn.

Rabbit 28

It’s easy to find a Rabbit at Blackwater.

Great Egret 2017-53

Great Egret 2017-52

Egret numbers are down greatly.

Osprey 2017-77 Osprey 2017-76 Osprey 2017-75

Osprey 2017-78

This Osprey family is doing very well.

Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-33 Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-32 Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-31

Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-34

The Red Headed Woodpecker landed right in front of me.

Eastern Kingbird 2017-16

Eastern Kingbirds are often waiting right by the side of the road.

Orchard Oriole 2017-13

Orchard Oriole 2017-14

Two Orchard Orioles were foraging in the bushes. Probably a family.

Greater Yellowlegs 2017-15

A single Greater Yellowlegs was feeding on the flats.

Great Crested Flycatcher 2017-5

The Great Crested Flycatcher stayed in view for a while.

Barn Swallow 2017-15 Barn Swallow 2017-14 Barn Swallow 2017-13 Barn Swallow 2017-12

Barn Swallow 2017-16

I usually look for Eagles at Maple Dam Bridge, but these Barn Swallows are nesting under the bridge.

Andy 1

Blue Crab 2

Blue Crab 1

Andy, and his father, Andy, were crabbing at the bridge, and doing well.

 

 

Great Egret at Blackwater NWR.

The weather looked promising, and there’s still not much to see around here, so I went back to Blackwater this morning. I’m not fond of the hour and a half drive, but it’s where the birds are at the moment.

I did well enough. Herons and Egrets are still foraging in t he marsh, and Ospreys and Eagles are active. A few smaller birds are around, and I found a Groundhog who didn’t pose, and a Delmarva Fox Squirrel who did.

Blackwater Dawn 9

Blackwater Dawn.

Great Blue Heron 2017-50 Great Blue Heron 2017-49 Great Blue Heron 2017-48

Great Blue Heron 2017-47

This Great Blue Heron may have spent the night in this tree.

Great Egret 2017-48 Great Egret 2017-47 Great Egret 2017-46 Great Egret 2017-45 Great Egret 2017-44 Great Egret 2017-43

Great Egret 2017-49

I caught this Great Egret just as he launched.

Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-29

The Red Headed Woodpecker was a little more elusive today.

Eastern Kingbird 2017-15

Eastern Kingbirds are still hanging out near Wildlife Drive.

Bald Eagle 2017-124 Bald Eagle 2017-123 Bald Eagle 2017-122

Bald Eagle 2017-125

This Eagle spooked when I got too close.

Delmarva Fox Squirrel 16

This Delmarva Fox Squirrel was sitting by the side of the road.

Mephitis mephitis at Blackwater NWR.

OK, it’s a Skunk. Mephitis mephitis looks better in a title.

There’s still not much going on around here, so I headed back to Blackwater again. I can’t complain about the results, although I wasn’t really looking for mammals.

I actually did OK with the birds, and I suppose I’ll have to go back soon.

Blackwater Dawn 8

Blackwater Dawn.

Great Blue Heron 2017-46

Great Blue Heron 2017-45

This Great Blue Heron flew in early and landed very near to me.

Osprey 2017-74

Osprey 2017-72

This young Osprey is trying out his new wings.

Osprey 2017-71 Osprey 2017-70

Osprey 2017-73

The Osprey chicks are doing well.

Brown Headed Nuthatch 2017-17

I spotted this Brown headed Nuthatch while I was looking for hummingbirds.

Mallard 2017-26

This Mallard was taking a morning nap.

Red Winged Blackbird 2017-79

Red Winged Blackbirds are singing all along Wildlife Drive.

Killdeer 2017-10

I found only a single Killdeer.

Eastern Kingbird 2017-14

Several Eastern Kingbirds were flycatching along Wildlife Drive.

Great Egret 2017-42

Great Egret 2017-40 Great Egret 2017-39 Great Egret 2017-38

Great Egret 2017-41

Far fewer Great Egrets are feeding than did last week.

Delmarva Fox Squirrel 15

The Delmarva Fox Squirrel appeared as I was leaving.

Fox 73

Fox 74

This daytime Fox seemed right at home posing for me.

Skunk 2

Skunk 1

I’ve only seen two Skunks in my photography career (They’re nocturnal).,

 

Barn Swallows at Lake Artemesia.

I met Graeme at Lake Artemesia this morning, and we had an OK morning. We definitely had more birds and more variety last year, but it’s hard to say if that means anything.

Tree Swallows were still fledging, and we found a single Barn Swallow still on its nest.

Lake Artemesia 88

Lake Artemesia 89

Lake Artemesia.

Canada Goose 2017-42

Canada Goose 2017-43

Canada Goose 2017-41

These first year Canada Geese seem to be nearly full grown.

Red Winged Blackbird 2017-78

This female Red Winged Blackbird posed very nicely.

Starling 2017-2

This is a very you Starling, and I didn’t recognize it.

Mallard 2017-25

A few Mallards were foraging in the lake.

Purple Martin 2017-13

Purple Martin 2017-12

Purple Martins were fairly active today.

Barn Swallow 2017-11

Barn Swallow 2017-9

This was the only Barn Swallow nest we found.

Graeme Simpson 15

Graeme Simpson, focusing, on the bridge.

Purple Martin at Lake Artemesia.

I decided to take a chance on Artemesia this morning, even though it’s been bad the last couple of trips.

It worked out. Not a lot of variety, but some good poses and decent light.

Wood Duck 2017-55 Wood Duck 2017-54 Wood Duck 2017-53 Wood Duck 2017-52

Wood Duck 2017-51

Wood Ducks seem to be a little late this year.

Tree Swallow 2017-66

Tree Swallow 2017-65 Tree Swallow 2017-64 Tree Swallow 2017-63 Tree Swallow 2017-62

Tree Swallow 2017-61

These Tree Swallow fledglings are waiting for a meal from mom or dad.

Purple Martin 2017-11

Purple Martin 2017-10

Purple Martin 2017-8

Purple Martin 2017-9

Purple Martins nest at Lake Artemesia.

 

Eastern Towhee at Wooton’s Landing.

I went back to Blackwater again this morning, and didn’t do as well. The flies are getting thick, but not as thick as they were at CBEC  a few days ago.  I’ve been told they’re even worse at Bombay Hook, so I’m going to pass on there for a while. They get so thick you’re constantly swatting at them, even though the insect repellent keeps them from biting.

The interesting thing today was the eagles eating carrion in the wheat fields. I saw three, accompanied by vultures,  feasting on what appeared to be dead deer, on the way home.

Bald Eagle 2017-118

This Bald Eagle just seemed to be hanging out.

Great Blue Heron 2017-44

Great Blue Herons now outnumber Great Egrets at Blackwater.

Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-28

The Red Headed Woodpecker is still showing off for me.

Blue Grosbeak 2017-3

I haven’t seen many Blue Grosbeaks recently.

Eastern Bluebird 2017-10

This Eastern Bluebird was feeding a chick.

Eastern Kingbird 2017-13

Eastern Kingbirds are numerous at Blackwater.

Osprey 2017-69

The Osprey chicks seem to be thriving.

Eastern Towhee 2017-3

I found this Eastern Towhee at Wooton a few days ago.

Turtle 77

This Turtle has had a close call.

Tree Swallows at Blackwater NWR.

In the last days I’ve tried Wooton, Sands Road and Greenbury Point with virtually no luck. Back to Blackwater.

I had a decent morning, with a few eagles and some interesting Tree Swallow fledglings. The Red Headed Woodpecker is still cooperating and wading birds are plentiful.

Flower 97

I found this flower at Tawes Gardens.

Bald Eagle 2017-115

This Bald Eagle was eating a fish in the marsh.

Bald Eagle 2017-117

This Bald Eagle watched me very closely as I approached.

Bald Eagle 2017-116

Bald Eagle 2017-114

I saw more Bald Eagles than usual this morning.

Barn Swallow 2017-6 Barn Swallow 2017-5 Barn Swallow 2017-8

Barn Swallow 2017-7

These Barn Swallows have been gathering mud for their nests.

Green Heron 2017-9

Green Heron 2017-8

This Green Heron was concentrating very hard on catching breakfast.

Eastern Kingbird 2017-12

Several Eastern Kingbirds were flycatching in the marsh.

Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-26 Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-25

Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-27

This Red Headed Woodpecker has been unusually easy to find.

Great Egret 2017-36

I liked the way this Great Egret posed.

Red Winged Blackbird 2017-76

This Red Winged Blackbird was watching the Tree Swallows.

Tree Swallow 2017-57

Tree Swallow 2017-56

The parents were feeding these fledglings on the wing.

Tree Swallow 2017-55 Tree Swallow 2017-54 Tree Swallow 2017-53 Tree Swallow 2017-52 Tree Swallow 2017-51

Tree Swallow 2017-50

I found several Tree Swallow fledglings near the road.

Osprey with Chicks at Blackwater NWR.

There’s still not much action around Annapolis or College Park, so I went back to Blackwater this morning. There’s still not much variety, but there’s many more birds than around here.

I did find a few birds locally in the last few days, and I’m including them here.

Red Winged Blackbird 2017-74

This is a newly fledged Red Winged Blackbird.

Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-22

Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-23

Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-21

I’ve been having very good luck finding the Red Headed Woodpeckers at Blackwater.

Great Egret 2017-33Great Egret 2017-32Great Egret 2017-30

Great Egret 2017-31

Huge numbers of Great Egrets are feeding at Blackwater.

Green Heron 2017-7

This Green Heron let me get very close.

Double Crested Cormorant 2017-17

Double Crested Cormorant 2017-16

The Double Crested Cormorants are fishing at Maple Dam Road.

Goldfinch 2017-4

Greenbury Point has always been a good place for Goldfinches.

Glossy Ibis 2017-10

These Glossy Ibises were at Blackwater.

Crow 2017-5

This Crow posed at Greenbury Point.

Wood Duck 2017-50

This Wood Duck flew off as soon as she saw me.

Mallard 2017-24

I found this Mallard at Patuxent South.

Tree Swallow 2017-49

This Tree Swallow was at South Tract.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird 2017-7 Ruby Throated Hummingbird 2017-6 Ruby Throated Hummingbird 2017-5 Ruby Throated Hummingbird 2017-4 Ruby Throated Hummingbird 2017-3 Ruby Throated Hummingbird 2017-2

Ruby Throated Hummingbird 2017-1

The North Tract office has several Hummingbird feeders.

Osprey 2017-67 Osprey 2017-66 Osprey 2017-65 Osprey 2017-64 Osprey 2017-63

Osprey 2017-62

This Osprey, nesting along Wildlife Drive, has two chicks.

 

Red Headed Woodpecker at Blackwater NWR.

I went to Artemesia with Graeme yesterday, and got virtually nothing. I hate wasting time like that, so I headed back to old reliable Blackwater this morning. I considered Bombay Hook, and may do that soon.

There’s not as many wading birds, but there’s still plenty of variety, and the Fox Squirrels are still cooperating.

Blackwater Dawn 6

Dawn at Blackwater.

Wild Turkey 2017-1

I saw these Wild Turkeys as I was driving home.

Great Egret 2017-26

Great Egret 2017-29Great Egret 2017-28

Great Egret 2017-27

There are still plenty of Great Egrets.

 

Glossy Ibis 2017-9

Glossy Ibis 2017-8

The Glossy Ibises are still foraging in the marsh.

 

Killdeer 2017-9

A single Killdeer was in the road near Pool #1.

Double Crested Cormorant 2017-15

This Double Crested Cormorant was fishing at Maple Dam Road.

Osprey 2017-60

This Osprey seemed to be taking a break.

 

Bald Eagle 2017-113

Bald Eagle 2017-112

I’m not sure what this Bald Eagle was doing on the ground.

Red Winged Blackbird 2017-72Red Winged Blackbird 2017-71

Red Winged Blackbird 2017-70

Red Winged Blackbirds are very common, but sometimes they pose well.

Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-20Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-19

Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-17

I spent some time looking for this Red Headed Woodpecker, and he landed right in front of me as I was giving up.

Delmarva Fox Squirrel 12

Delmarva Fox Squirrel 13

The Delmarva Fox Squirrels are still cooperating.

 

Glossy Ibis at Blackwater NWR.

I woke up early, undecided as to where to go, and just headed back to Blackwater, hoping for another good day.

I didn’t get the variety, but the weather was perfect, and there were plenty of birds to choose from. I’m starting to suspect that Fox Squirrels are easier to find in the Summer.

Blackwater Dawn 5

Dawn at Blackwater.

 

Orchard Oriole 2017-11

Orchard Oriole 2017-12

This Orchard Oriole has a nest along Wildlife Drive.

Acadian Flycatcher 2017-3

This may be an Acadian Flycatcher.

Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-16

This Red Headed Woodpecker is from yesterday.

Great Egret 2017-25

Great Egret 2017-24

Great Egret 2017-23

Great Egret 2017-22

Great Egrets seem to be the most common wading bird.

Great Crested Flycatcher 2017-4

This is a Great Crested Flycatcher.

Blue Grosbeak 2017-1

Blue Grosbeak 2017-2

This Blue Grosbeak female was a surprise.

Canada Goose 2017-38

This Canada Goose pair is escorting their brood.

Eastern Kingbird 2017-10

Several Eastern Kingbirds were foraging in the marsh.

Red Winged Blackbird 2017-68

This female Red Winged Blackbird has found a tasty snack.

Bald Eagle 2017-111

This Bald Eagle pair has a nest nearby.

Greater Yellowlegs 2017-14

This appears to be a Greater Yellowlegs.

Glossy Ibis 2017-7 Glossy Ibis 2017-6 Glossy Ibis 2017-5 Glossy Ibis 2017-4 Glossy Ibis 2017-3

Glossy Ibis 2017-2

I got a better look at the Glossy Ibis today.