Ring Necked Ducks at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on December 21, 2019 by Hugh

It’s been almost a week since I posted anything. Weather accounts for a day or two, and a shortage of birds is to blame for the rest. I know there have been more birds in previous years, but some variation must be normal

I’ve been staying on this side of the bridge to avoid possible traffic problems with the current construction. I will get there soon because there’s a lot of good spots to check.

There’s a lot of feisty Swans, so I look for the action shots.

I was lucky to get this close to this Red Shouldered Hawk.

The Redhead is a very handsome duck.

This red headed Woodpecker has found a breakfast bush.

This is a female Lesser Scaup.

Everyone gets excited at feeding time.

Male Buffleheads have pink feet.

Ring Necked Ducks don’t often pose for flight shots.

Peregrine Falcon at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on December 15, 2019 by Hugh

It’s been another slow week. Ducks are trickling in, but not in numbers yet. The birds I’m finding at Thomas Point are numerous, but staying too far out for good images.

We lost a day or two to weather, but I got out most days. Quiet Waters has been particularly lousy this year, and Thomas Point is only just starting to pick up.

Anyway, the Falcon was a nice surprise. Maybe I’ll get to the Eastern Shore next week.

I’m not seeing as many Ruddy Ducks as usual.

Ring Necked Ducks are easy to find at this time of year.

I found four Pied Billed Grebes this morning.

This Long Tailed Duck was at Thomas Point.

Hooded Mergansers have just begun arriving.

Buffleheads are in most places I visit.

This Wood Duck is still hanging out at Thomas Point.

Many Tundra Swans are here for the Winter.

There are hundreds of Surf Scoters at Thomas Point.

I often see Redheads at my friend’s house.

A Fall Mallard.

Lesser Scaup are here in good numbers.

Only a few Canvasbacks are here at the moment.

I got close to this Black Duck.

I seldom see Peregrine Falcons, and this is only the second at Lake Artemesia.

Hooded Mergansers at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Hugh

More birds have been arriving , and the variety is improving, The duck population isn’t quite up to snuff, but all is well for the moment.

The weather has been decent, and I’ve managed to get out most days. The Tundra Swans have been cooperative, and some ducks have posed very well.

South River from Quiet Waters.

We’re lucky to have a large Tundra Swan Population.

Ring Necked Ducks are numerous now.

You can find a Great Blue Heron most days.

Downy Woodpeckers are usually easy to find.

The song of the Carolina Wren can be heard in most Maryland parks.

Many Buffleheads are in our area now.

The Lake Artemesia Belted Kingfisher has eluded me for several yeares.

It’s hard to beat a Wood Duck in good light.,

A Royal Tern from several years ago.

The simple design of the Redhead is quite attractive,

Canvasbacks are just beginning to arrive in numbers.

Hooded Mergansers are always a welcome sight.

Wood Duck at Thomas Point.

Posted on November 30, 2019 by Hugh

Things are picking up, but the weather has been iffy and other activities claimed my time for a while.

I still managed to get out, and I even got to the Eastern Shore, but it was a waste. It’s still too early for some of the ducks.

Quiet Waters is still too quiet, but I suspect that will change soon.

Thomas Point has been the best deal so far. with the most birds and the greatest variety.

South River from Quiet Waters.

Tundra Swans often make vigorous displays.

There seems to be more Buffleheads than any other species.

Several Redheads feed near shore.

A Northern Shoveler I re-edited.

Many Mallards are living at Thomas point. There’s a guy in the ‘hood who feeds them every day.

Canvasbacks are not here in big numbers yet.

A Bald Eagle pair.

This may be the same Wood Duck who hung out at Thomas Point last year.

Tundra Swans at Thomas Point

Posted on November 23, 2019 by Hugh

The weather has been good enough, with a few days of cold, followed by milder stuff right now. I’m still hanging out on this side of the bridge, but I may cross the bridge soon, as the winter ducks come in. Have I mentioned that the Bay Bridge is being repaired? This limits the times you can cross without traffic delays.

Lots of Swans and ducks are here now, but the Thomas Point ducks aren’t coming in close enough for photos. Quiet Waters has been a major disappointment. I’ve been several times without seeing much of note.

https://ebird.org/checklist/S61671404

https://ebird.org/checklist/S61667203

I found many Ringnecked Ducks at Schoolhouse Pond.

Mallards in good light are attractive.

I got close to this Canvasback hen.

I liked the colors surrounding this Canada Goose.

Many Buffleheads are in the area.

Thomas Point is a reliable spot for Black Ducks.

There’s always Song Sparrows at Thomas Point.

The Redhead has a simple, attractive design.

I like the shapes in this Tundra Swan photo.

Tundra Swans at Thomas Point.

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Hugh

We’re getting some interesting winter visitors now. Swans and Geese are flying high overhead, and looking through flocks of distant ducks is more rewarding. A single Ruddy was hanging out with 50 Buffleheads at the point.

Redheads, Wigeons and Canvasbacks are appearing now, so it won’t be long before we see other species.

https://ebird.org/checklist/S61552087

https://ebird.org/checklist/S61551845

https://ebird.org/checklist/S61551737

I saw well over 200 Buffleheads.

First Redhead of the season.

First Canvasback of the season.

Tundra Swans are here in good numbers.

This is “Julia” (T186) who we reported to the USGS two years ago.

Tundra Swans at Thomas Point.

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Hugh

We’re going through another birding drought, it seems. I’ve been a little reluctant to travel much as there’s not been much to see. Some of it’s luck, some is weather, and it’s all part of the game.

Swans and Buffleheads have arrived, and most of our migrant visitors have gone South. I’ve been recording most of my trips on Ebird, and the lack of variety is noticeable. More ducks will be here soon, and all will be well.

Lake Artemesia.

Quiet Waters.

This American Wigeon was a mild surprise at Thomas Point.

Thomas Point is one place where Black Ducks appear regularly.

50 or more Double Crested Cormorants flew overhead.

This Yellow Rumped Warbler was at Greenbury Point.

Bald Eagles have become more active recently,

Many Buffleheads have been feeding at Thomas Point.

This Great Blue Heron was at Quiet Waters.

I usually find Pied Billed Grebes at Lake Artemesia.

A Field Sparrow at Artemesia.

Tundra Swans began appearing in larger numbers yesterday.

Cedar Waxwing at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on October 20, 2019 by Hugh

Another long period with minimal action. There was a report a few weeks ago that we’ve lost a billion birds, and I think they were all from the East. We’ve just come the to end of a long drought, but the water in the marsh ponds has been high all year. Many birds prefer to forage on the flats that appear at low water, so the number of birds in the area has been greatly reduced.

I’ve been out almost every day, and there’s a decent shot or two, but most days were quite slow.

Morning at Lake Artemesia.

A CBEC morning.

CBEC Dawn.

I saw this Palm Warbler at CBEC. Not much warbler variety this year.

A nut always improves a Red Bellied Woodpecker image.

Sometimes the morning light can be dramatic.

Just a little snack for this Great Blue Heron.

White throated Sparrows have just begun arriving.

I’ve often seen this pose from the back, but only seldom from the front.

This is a Marbled Godwit, a bird we seldom get to see.

American Avocet at Bombay Hook.

Marsh Wren in the classic “Straddle” pose.

We should be seeing many Greater Yellowlegs and other Sandpipers.

Great Egrets were around in good numbers.

I experimented with a frame for this Wood Duck.

This Domestic Goose has been at Lake Artemesia for a couple of months.

I couldn’t have asked for better conditions for this House Wren image.

This is a juvenile Cowbird.

Many Cedar Waxwings were at Artemesia this morning.

A single Downy Woodpecker entertained me for a while.

I found this Fox as I was leaving CBEC.

Wood Ducks at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Hugh

It’s been a long dry spell around here. I suspect migration is a little slow, but one big kink in my favorite spots is the high water. Many wading birds look for shallow water and mudflats, and that’s hard to find around here right now. I can’t put any real blame on climate change, but you gotta’ wonder.

I’ve mostly been to CBEC and Terrapin, with a few trips to Wooton, Governor Bridge and Sandy Point. None are living up to historical norms, but there’s probably some bad luck also.

Anyway, here’s a few images from the last two weeks. Maybe we’ll have better luck soon.

This is a link to my Ebird checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60147634

CBEC in the morning.

A pair of late season Yellow Billed Cuckoos were foraging at Lake Artemesia.

My first Pied Billed Grebe of the season.

Catbirds have been numerous lately.

This Domestic Goose is still hanging around Lake Artemesia.

Caspian Terns have returned to Sandy Point.

An early morning Egret at CBEC.

This Common Yellowthroat was migrating through Terrapin.

A Solitary Sandpiper was looking for a meal at Wooton’s Landing.

This has been a good year for Brown Thrashers.

A Black and White Warbler from Artemesia.

This is a Chimney Swift. I rarely try to photograph these erratic, fast avian missiles.

Arctic Tern from my trip to Seal Island.

American Redstart from Terrapin.

Several Wood Ducks were cruising the shoreline at Artemesia.

I’ve seen a lot of Eastern Box Turtles lately.

Tricolored Heron at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Hugh

We’ve had another slow week. I can’t fault the weather, but I’d like to see more migrants. How many times have I written that?

I’m sticking with my routine for now. Check out Sandy Point for morning colors, Look in on Kent Narrows. then head for CBEC, which is open 24/7, so I can show up when it’s convenient for me.

I’ve been told that CBEC is a good warbler spot, but I haven’t seen the proof yet. Still, there’s enough action to keep me interested, and migration is advancing every day. I stopped at Greenbury Point this morning for a change of pace, but I found nada there.