Northern Pintail at Thomas Point.

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.

Sandy Point 534

Sandy Point 533

Dawn at Sandy Point.

Black Duck 2019-1

You can find Black Ducks at Thomas Point most winters.

Surf Scoter 2019-3

Surf Scoters are still numerous.

Bufflehead 2019-5

Many Buffleheads are feeding at the point.

Wood Duck 2019-1

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

Northern Pintail 2019-1

Northern Pintail 2019-2

This Northern Pintail was a real surprise.

 

 

 

Red Tailed Hawk at Quiet Waters Park.

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.

Surf Scoter 2019-1

Surf Scoter 2019-2

There were many Surf Scoters at the point.

Bufflehead 2019-3

Bufflehead 2019-4

These Buffleheads seemed to be chasing one another.

Red Tailed Hawk 2019-2

Red Tailed Hawk 2019-1

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

 

Hooded Merganser at Lake Artemesia.

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.

Lake Artemesia 117

Lake Artemesia 116

Dawn at Lake Artemesia.

Canvasback 2019-1

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

Hooded Merganser 2019-5 Hooded Merganser 2019-4 Hooded Merganser 2019-3 Hooded Merganser 2019-2 Hooded Merganser 2019-1

Hooded Merganser 2019-6

4 Hooded Mergansers were very cooperative this morning.

Double Crested Cormorant 2019-1

Double Crested Cormorant 2019-2

Many Double Crested Cormorants are spending time at the lake.

Bufflehead 2019-1

Bufflehead 2019-2

A few Buffleheads were feeding this morning.

C anada Goose 2019-1

There were well over a hundred Canada Geese.

Great Blue Heron 2019-1

This Great Blue Heron ignored my presence.

Great Egret 2019-2 Great Egret 2019-1

Great Egret 2019-3

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

Ring Billed Gull 2019-1

Many Ring Billed Gulls are staying at the lake.