Red Headed Woodpecker at Blackwater NWR.

There’s still not much to see around here, so I headed for Blackwater early. It was actually a pretty good day, with great light and plenty of active birds.

I’m still not seeing many Sandpipers, but wading birds are plentiful, and a few passerines made a good show.

Barn Swallow 2017-24

I’m still checking out the Maple Dam Barn Swallows.

Great Blue Heron 2017-58

Great Blue Heron 2017-60

Great Blue Heron 2017-59

I was close enough to the Great Blue Heron to get a god look at his feet.

Great Blue Heron 2017-61

Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets rule the roost right now.

Great Egret 2017-75

Great Egret 2017-74

Great Egret 2017-73

Great Egrets are roughly equal in numbers to the Herons.

Brown Headed Nuthatch 2017-21

Brown Headed Nuthatch 2017-20

It’s not hard to find Brown Headed Nuthatches at Blackwater.

 

Red Winged Blackbird 2017-91

Red Winged Blackbirds are plentiful in every marsh I frequent.

Red Winged Blackbird 2017-90 Red Winged Blackbird 2017-89 Red Winged Blackbird 2017-88 Red Winged Blackbird 2017-87

Red Winged Blackbird 2017-86

I found this Red Winged Blackbird feeding his chick yesterday at Lake Artemesia.

Wood Duck 2017-65

Wood Duck 2017-64

This Wood Duck chick was also at Lake Artemesia.

Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-45

Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-44 Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-43 Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-42 Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-41 Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-40 Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-39 Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-38 Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-37 Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-36

Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-35

The Red Headed Woodpecker is very striking. I’ve located his nesting tree.

Raccoon 16

Raccoon 15

A swimming Raccoon! I’ve seen a few Raccoons, but never in the water.

Ground Hog 3

I seldom get close enough to a Groundhog for a picture.

Skunk 7 Skunk 6 Skunk 5

Skunk 4

This Skunk was foraging by the side of the road, and I was able to get quite close to him.