I was undecided as to where to go yet again. I hate going places where there’s nothing to shoot, and I’m not crazy about driving long distances. Something to shoot won out, so I headed to Blackwater, which is about an hour and a half drive.

It wasn’t really great, but it was good enough.  There wasn’t the variety I’ve come to expect at this time of year, but a quick stop at Oakley Street made up for it. The locals feed the ducks there, and you can usually find a good variety of birds, fairly close to shore.

I haven’t seen many Scaup this year.

I saw fewer Bald Eagles than usual.

I don’t often see Downy Woodpeckers at Blackwater.

A lone Bufflehead was feeding with the geese.

This Great Blue Heron was the first bird I saw.

Many Canvasbacks were eagerly waiting for a meal.

Only a few Redheads were present.

The Hooded Mergansers were very skittish.

There are still more Mallards than any other type of duck.

There were only a few Northern Shovelers.