I tried Lake Artemesia yesterday with mixed results. There was very little open water, so most of the birds were out in the center of the lake, and it was hard to get good looks. A few Hooded Mergansers took pity on me and put on a show quite close.

I stopped at  Thomas Point on the way home and got some decent shots in the cove. The birds at the point were too far out.

Today I checked Possum Point early. and it didn’t look like much, so I went straight to Kent Narrows, for a change of pace. I started at the West side, which was kind of slow. I could see there were closer birds on the East side, so I went over the bridge. There were some Long Tailed ducks in range, and I got a few decent shots.

I stopped again at Thomas Point, and had about the same luck there.

Lake Artemesia.

This Wood Duck has been hanging out at Thomas Point for a month or more.

This juvenile Bald Eagle flew over the cove.

The Mallards seemed to be getting frisky.

This is a great place to get close looks at Black Ducks.

A small flock of Buffleheads was in the cove.

10-12 Tundra Swans were loafing in the cove.

Several Long Tailed Ducks were feeding under the bridge.

This Bald Eagle flew overhead at Kent Narrows.

I usually see Black Backed Seagulls at Sandy Point.

You can hardly avoid Ring Billed Seagulls if you’re near the bay.

I was lucky to catch this Great Blue Heron in the morning light.

I started at Possum Point, and waited awhile to see if any colors would materialize. After about ten minutes, it started to look promising, so I stayed long enough to get a few decent images.

Thomas Point was deserted, the weather was mild and the bay nearly flat. Unfortunately, the birds stayed  some distant out, and I didn’t really get much. I did find a few birds in the coves on the way out.

I stopped at my friend’s house, and there was a lot of birds in good light, so I stayed awhile.

Sunrise at Possum Point.

I got closer than usual to this Bufflehead.

This Lesser Scaup may be a young bird.

This Tundra Swan is about to land.

Canvasbacks seem to hang around all winter.

This Mallard couple seemed quite serene.

Two American Wigeons were foraging near the ranger cabin.

I’ve seen only a few Gadwalls at Thomas Point.

Yesterday, I tried Possum Point and Sandy Point for sunrise colors, but it wasn’t good enough. I haven’t been to Kent Narrows in a while, so I headed over the bridge to give it a try.

I was pleasantly surprised to find a small flock of Long Tailed Ducks right off the bat. There were plenty of other ducks around, but most were too far off for good images.

Today I tried Possum Point first, but it was still disappointing again, so I went to Quiet Waters. Both the river and the coves were iced up, so I went to Thomas Point. There were plenty of birds at the point, but they were distant and it was damn cold.

I stopped at the cove at the beginning of the park and found some good opportunities. I’ve been having good luck there recently.

I ended with a brief visit to my friend’s house where I got a few decent images.

South River from Quiet Waters.

Redheads are usually not shy.

This Canvas back hen was just chillin’ out.

A Ring Billed Gull flew by quite low.

Several different kinds of ducks were in the flock, including this Scaup.

This Wood Duck has been hanging out with the Mallards for a month or more.

Many Buffleheads were in the area.

This Common Goldeneye flew in as I was waiting.

A Bald Eagle flew right over the cove.

There’s always a few Sparrows in the rocks.

I found only a few Ruddy Ducks.

There were 4-6 Black Ducks.

A small group of Tundra Swans was foraging further from shore.

There were about 6 Long Tailed Ducks, the most I’ve seen in one flock.

It was a foggy morning, so I waited ’til it started to lift before I went to Thomas Point.

I checked the small cove, looking for the Wood Duck, who wasn’t present. I did see 3 American Wigeons, a bird I haven’t see much at Thomas Point. I didn’t find the Wood Duck.

The weather was better than yesterday, warmer and less windy, and many of the ducks were closer to shore than usual. I didn’t see anything cool, like a Loon or an Eider, but it’s always fun to watch the ducks feed on a nice day.

This Scaup is eating a mussel.

It’s hard to pass up a Redhead.

Many Buffleheads were moving around the area.

This Mallard flew in from the bay.

Many of the birds took to the air when this Bald Eagle flew over the cove.

There were several Black Ducks near shore.

3 American Wigeons were in the cove.

Two Common Goldeneyes were feeding together.

Surf Scoters were numerous.

A small flock of Tundra Swans flew by, heading South.

I saw only one Long Tailed Duck.

If you wait long enough, you’ll see a Song Sparrow hiding in the rip-rap.

This Lesser Scaup was paddling slowly by.

I tried Kent Point yesterday in hopes of finding a reported Snowy Owl, but had no luck. I found a few sparrows at Sandy Point, but not much else.

Today, I started at Sandy Point again, but it was quite uninspiring, so I went to Quiet Waters around 7:15.

All the water I could see was frozen, including South River, which was ice free yesterday.

Thomas Point was the savior, once again. There were plenty of distant birds, but a few were close enough for good images. There’s a small cove near the park entrance that’s been productive lately, holding many Mallards, a few Black Ducks and the resident Wood Duck drake who’s a little North of his Winter range.

I also made a brief stop at my friend’s house.

South River from Quiet Waters.

Kent Point Marina.

This Common Goldeneye was at my friend’s house. I don’t usually see them there.

Many Mallards were in the cove.

This Tundra Swan flew over the cove.

Thomas Point has always been a good spot for Black Ducks.

I’ve photographed this Wood Duck several times now.

This Bufflehead flew by as I was waiting.

These Surf Scoters flew into the point to feed.

Many Scaup forage regularly at the point.

Ruddy Ducks seem to be numerous all Winter.

I found this Song Sparrow at Sandy Point.

Many Dark Eyed Juncos were feeding near the beach.

Canada Geese can be found at Sandy Point most of the year.

This American Wigeon was just a little too far away.

I don’t see Gadwalls at Thomas Point very often.

We had 4-5″ of snow yesterday, so I didn’t get out at all. I was at Sandy Point at dawn today, but it didn’t look promising, so I went straight to Quiet Waters as I suspected Thomas Point would be closed for the snow, and  it was, as I found out later.

I looked in my favorite cove first, but didn’t find much, except a Common Goldeneye, the first I’ve seen there.

I did much better at the boat dock, where a Bald Eagle provided nice looks, and a few ducks were close enough for ID shots.

A view of South River.

A flock of Mallards flew out toward the river.

A small flock of Canada Geese flew upriver.

This is the first Common Goldeneye I’ve seen at Quiet Waters.

This Bald Eagle seemed to want to pose.

I went straight to Artemesia this morning in hopes of finding good birds, and I got lucky. There was an unusually good variety and quantity , and mostly in good light.

The Loons were totally unexpected, as they are really bay/ocean birds and you wouldn’t expect to see them on a lake.

I took so many photos that I haven’t finished processing them yet, so I’ll be adding a few more later.

Canada Geese heading out to forage.

There were more Great Blue Herons than usual.

25 or more Double Crested Cormorants were fishing in the lake.

Ring Necked Ducks have returned to the lake after a short absence.

This Great Egret should have migrated south several weeks ago.

Two flocks of Hooded Mergansers are hanging out at the lake.

This female Canvasback is an unusual visitor also.

A Mallard pair was cruising the lake.

The errant Common Goldeneyes are still in residence.

Two Red Throated Loons were a real surprise.

I had planned to try Possum Point this morning. but it was way cold and windy when I awoke, so I decided to try Thomas Point instead.

It really wasn’t particularly good today. Plenty of birds, but they were back to being distant again, so I didn’t get much.

My friend’s house was much better. There were many birds of many species, and they were very active.

There’s usually a few Canada Geese in the area.

Many of the Canvasbacks were moving around the area.

20-30 Tundra Swans were hanging out near the dock.

A few Lesser Scaup were also in the area.

A few Ruddy Ducks were sleeping nearby.

Redheads can be hard to find in a big flock of Canvasbacks.

I inteneded to try Possum Point this morning, but it was very windy, so I waited until 8:00 and went to Thomas Point.

There were a few birds  close enough for decent pics, and the light was not bad, so I did OK.

I then stopped by my friend’s house on Thomas Point Road and found more nice birds in good light and fairly close. Yet another good winter’s day.

A look at the Thomas Point lighthouse.

Many Mallards stay near Thomas Point all year.

This female Canvasback looks as good as her mate.

Two Flocks of Tundra Swans flew over the point.

Many Tundra Swans were on the move today.

If you look closely at the Canvasback flocks, you may find a Redhead or two.

I don’t often get this frontal view of a Lesser Scaup.

My Wood Duck friend is still hanging out with his Mallard buddies.

Thomas Point is a good place to find Black Ducks.

Many Buffleheads stay near Thomas Point most of the Winter.

There seems to be a small flock of Ruddy Ducks just South of the Point on most days.

These three Long Tailed Ducks were hanging out together.

The weather gods promised sunshine, and we got it. I went to Lake Artemesia early to get some dawn photos, and it was just OK. I had been hearing about good birds all week, though, so it didn’t matter much.

Artemesia can be spotty, but it’s been prolific for the last few weeks. It’s nice to find good birds, and it’s even better to find several good birds.

There were lots of photographers today, many more than usual. Maybe we’re giving away too much on Facebook.

Dawn at Lake Artemesia.

I’ve been going to Artemesia for 5 years, and this is the first Common Merganser I’vfe seen there.

There were fewer Canada Geese than usual.

8-10 Hooded Mergansers were feeding in the lake.

I counted 25 Double Crested Cormorants.

I found three Great Blue Herons.

I saw this Belted Kingfisher several times, but it was tough to get a photo.

The Common Goldeneyes are still hanging out.

I found only two Buffleheads.

This female Canvasback has been around for more than a week.

These are the first Common Mergansers I’ve seen at Artemesia.