Red Headed Woodpecker at Blackwater NWR.

I went back to Blackwater with Graeme today, and we had a very good day. Many uncommon birds, excellent weather with perfect light, and very cooperative subjects.

The RH Woodpecker would have been a great day by itself, but we added Pelicans, Ibises and Delmarva Fox Squirrels. It’s been a while since I had such a bonanza of a day.

Bald Eagle 2017-110

I didn’t see as many Bald Eagles as in past days.

Orchard Oriole 2017-10

Orchard Oriole 2017-9

This female Orchard Oriole was feeding her young chicks.

American White Pelican 2017-12

American White Pelican 2017-13

I haven’t seen American White Pelicans in the Summer before.

Osprey 2017-59

This Red Winged Blackbird successfully drove this Osprey and his mate away.

 

Brown Headed Nuthatch 2017-15 Brown Headed Nuthatch 2017-14

Brown Headed Nuthatch 2017-16

We got very close to this brown Headed Nuthatch, who just ignored us.

Eastern Kingbird 2017-9

Several Eastern Kingbirds were flycatching in the area.

Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-15

This Red Headed Woodpecker was a nice find.

Great Egret 2017-19 Great Egret 2017-18 Great Egret 2017-16

Great Egret 2017-20

Many Great Egrets were feeding in the marsh.

Great Blue Heron 2017-37 Great Blue Heron 2017-36 Great Blue Heron 2017-35

Great Blue Heron 2017-38

Great Blue Herons were almost as numerous as Egrets.

Glossy Ibis 2017-1

I wasn’t able to get a better look at this Glossy Ibis.

Red Winged Blackbird 2017-67

Red Winged Blackbirds were very active everywhere.

Delmarva Fox Squirrel 9

Delmarva Fox Squirrel 8

We saw three Delmarva Fox Squirrels today.

 

 

 

Double Crested Cormorant at Blackwater NWR.

I don’t usually go to Blackwater at this time of year, but it’s been so slow around here I thought I’d try it. I did OK, and missed several good birds, so it was worth the trip.

Great Blue Heron 2017-33

Many Great Blue Herons were fishing in the marsh.

Great Egret 2017-13 Great Egret 2017-12 Great Egret 2017-11

Great Egret 2017-14

I don’t recall seeing so many (30-40) Great Egrets anywhere else.

Red Winged Blackbird 2017-66

This Red Winged Blackbird attacked me several times as I walked by his nest.

Green Heron 2017-5

Green Heron 2017-6

This Green Heron was the first bird I saw this morning.

Double Crested Cormorant 2017-14

It’s a little rare to see a Double Crested Cormorant with both “Crests” showing.

Deer-64

Deer-63

This young deer seemed more attractive than most.

Snapping Turtle 22

Snapping Turtle 23

This large Snapping Turtle was crossing the road on Wildlife Drive.

Snakehead 1

Julia 1

Julia caught the large (6 lb.) snakehead that Pat is holding above.

Cedar Waxwing at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

A long interval between posts again. It seems to me that birds weren’t so hard to find in previous years.

I’ve been to College Park, Bowie, Annapolis and the Eastern Shore, and no single day stands out as especially good. Maybe I’ll have better luck as June progresses.

 

Sandy Point 487

Dawn at Sandy Point.

Red Winged Blackbird 2017-26

Red Winged Blackbirds are calling in every marsh.

Wood Duck 2017-49

Wood Duck 2017-47

Wood Duck 2017-48

I found this Wood Duck hen at CBEC.

Great Crested Flycatcher 2017-2

I hear many more Great Crested Flycatchers than I see.

Mockingbird 2017-2

This Mockingbird has found a nice blackberry.

Northern Flicker 2017-6

This Northern Flicker was also at CBEC .

Blue Jay 2017-5

There are plenty of Blue Jays around.

Brown Thrasher 2017-3

I was lucky to get any look at this Brown Thrasher.

Catbird 2017-5

This Catbird was in the parking lot at Terrapin.

Barn Swallow 2017-4

This Barn Swallow was at Lake Artemesia.

Tree Swallow 2017-45

Indigo Bunting 2017-1

This Indigo Bunting is hanging out at Greenbury Point.

Tree Swallow 2017-47 Tree Swallow 2017-46 Tree Swallow 2017-45

Tree Swallow 2017-48

These Tree Swallows are at CBEC.

Osprey 2017-55 Osprey 2017-54

Osprey 2017-56

This Osprey flew overhead at Greenbury Point.

Cedar Waxwing 2017-9 Cedar Waxwing 2017-8 Cedar Waxwing 2017-7

Cedar Waxwing 2017-10

These Cedar Waxwings seemed to be courting.

Flower 95

Flower 94

And a couple of flowers.

Turtle 73

This is the smallest Eastern Box Turtle I’ve seen.