Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge

I decided to visit Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge this morning. I called ahead to verify hours and places, and was misdirected by the biologist who answered the phone. A staff member at the North Tract directed me to the South Tract, which opens at Sunrise, my preferred birding time. I met a couple of interesting birders, including a guy from New Zealand who knows Lucy Lawless, star of the greatest TV series of all time.

There is a nesting box attached to the pole this Bluebird is sitting on.

I haven’t seen a Great Blue Heron quite this deep in the water before.

As soon as I started down the path, I saw a shaking in the tree nearest me, and managed this shot of a rather elusive Yellow Billed Cuckoo.

This Sparrow has me confused, so I’m checking for an ID. Update:Juvenile Chipping Sparrow

Yet another unknown Sparrow, but I’m working on it. Update:The experts are still unsure.

Another unknown bird. I was with an expert who got only a quick look, and thinks it’s a juvenile of some kind. Update-it’s likely a Juvenile Bluebird.

This appears to be a Common Yellowthroat female, but I’m double checking.

I’m not positive of this ID yet.

This Great Blue Heron was being harassed by a swallow as he flew across the lake.

I’ve seen a lot of Great Blue Herons, but this one is particularly colorful, in a nice setting.

With a little luck I got this Great Blue Heron as he was landing.

This family of Canadian Geese headed serenely across the lake.

Here he is again, just because I like this shot.

I saw this Hermit Thrush just as I entered the woods, which abounded with insects. I was stung on the lip shortly after this, and had a fat lip for several hours.