I checked out Possum Point early, and it didn’t look promising. I did manage a few decent images at Sandy Point, but not the colorful shots I’m looking for.

I skipped Quiet Waters because it was so barren yesterday.

Thomas Point is still the best spot, and it gave up a Pintail and a Black Duck this morning. I don’t recall seeing a Pintail there in the past.

The birds at the point were mostly too far out for good images, and there wasn’t much variety.

Dawn at Sandy Point.

You can find Black Ducks at Thomas Point most winters.

Surf Scoters are still numerous.

Many Buffleheads are feeding at the point.

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

This Northern Pintail was a real surprise.

I started at Possum Point again, and the sky was too gloomy for good pics, so I headed to Quiet Waters.

As I walked the path toward the river, I saw a large bird take off in the dark early morning light and thought I’d missed an Owl.  I looked carefully when I returned about half an hour later and found a young Red Tailed Hawk who posed  very nicely. There wasn’t much else to see in the park.

Thomas Point was somewhat better, with plenty of birds, but not as much variety as in previous days. I did get enough images to justify the trip.

There were many Surf Scoters at the point.

These Buffleheads seemed to be chasing one another.

This young Red Tailed Hawk just stared right back at me.

The forecast was cloudy and windy but it didn’t look too bad when I awoke, so I took a chance on Artemesia.

The sky was pretty cloudy, but it got better as the sun began to rise, and I got some decent shots at dawn.

I’m not crazy about windy days, and I got lucky, as the wind didn’t get started for a few hours after dawn. That was good, as there were many birds on the lake, and many were close enough for good images.

I never did get really good light, but it was a good day anyway.

Dawn at Lake Artemesia.

It;s not much of a shot, but you can see the Canvasback female in front An unsusual bird for Artemesia.

4 Hooded Mergansers were very cooperative this morning.

Many Double Crested Cormorants are spending time at the lake.

A few Buffleheads were feeding this morning.

There were well over a hundred Canada Geese.

This Great Blue Heron ignored my presence.

It’s rare to see a Great Egret this late in the season.

Many Ring Billed Gulls are staying at the lake.