“The sika deer is a small, brown elk that lives in quiet marshes and forested wetlands on the lower Eastern Shore of Maryland.” I have known of these elk for some time, but my few sightings produced no decent photo opps. Today’s encounter was much more fortuitous. These animals usually run off at first sight, but today’s animal was hardly concerned at all with out presence, and Graeme and I got several decent images.

We found many distant herons and egrets, a few eagles and a nesting pair of Red Headed Woodpeckers as well.

We spent a fair amount of time looking for other species, with minimal success. It’s still early, though, and I expect better luck soon.

Graeme brought along a portable chair.

This Bald Eagle was in the usual tree along Wildlife Drive.

These Red Headed Woodpecker parents were busy feeding their young.

We found this Barn Swallow at the observation tower.

Graeme spotted this Wild Turkey at the end of Wildlife Drive.

Many Great Blue Herons were feeding in the marsh.

This Red Winged Blackbird seemed to be carrying food for her young.

We spotted this Red Tailed Hawk along Key Wallace Drive.

Only a few Great Egrets were close enough for images.

This Orchard Oriole posed in a very nice setting.

We found this Sika Elk along Key Wallace Drive.