Spotted Sandpiper at Lake Artemesia.

I wasn’t sure what to do this morning, but Graeme said there were some good birds at Artemesia, so I gave it a try.

I got it right for a change. There were plenty of birds, including two unusual ones, and a good variety, including some migrants.

The weather could have been better, being windy and cold, but good birds make up for bad weather.

Caspian Tern 2018-3

Caspian Tern 2018-6

Two Caspian Terns were fishing all morning.

Tree Swallow 2018-12

Tree Swallow 2018-13

Many Tree Swallows have taken up residence and zoom steadily across the water seeking insects.

Cliff Swallow 21018-1

This is a Cliff Swallow, which is quite unusual for this area.

Eastern Bluebird 2018-6

This female Eastern Bluebird is probably nesting nearby.

Palm Warbler 2018-4

I’m seeing Palm Warblers everywhere I go.

Cardinal 2018-5

This Cardinal posed in a nice setting.

Downy Woodpecker 2018-4

I saw two Downy Woodpeckers up close this morning.

Wood Duck 2018-20 Wood Duck 2018-19

Wood Duck 2018-22

This Wood Duck will probably have ducklings soon.

Northern Rough Winged Swallow 2018-3

Northern Rough Winged Swallows seem more numerous this year.

 

White Throated Sparrow 2018-1

I found this White Throated Sparrow as I was leaving.

Spotted Sandpiper 2018-1

Spotted Sandpiper 2018-2

I don’t see many Spotted Sandpipers.

Red Fox at Blackwater NWR.

I don’t spend much time at Blackwater in the warmer months, as most of the waterfowl are gone by now. Still, it seemed worth one more  try, and it worked out OK. I was hoping to find a few warblers also, but it was not to be.

Some egrets showed up early, and a hungry fox, as well as a few eagles. The second half of Wildlife Drive was pretty barren.

There were plenty of Tree Swallows, but the Barn Swallows haven’t showed as yet.

Osprey 2018-13

I found this Osprey at Possum Point yesterday.

Red Headed Woodpecker 2018-3

The Red Headed Woodpeckers were calling loudly.

Cardinal 2018-4

This Cardinal was singing his song for all to hear.

Blue Winged Teal 2018-1

Not a great image, but I don’t see Blue Winged Teal often.

Bald Eagle 2018-30

Bald Eagles of ten perch on Wildlife Drive.

Greater Yellowlegs 2018-3

This Greater Yellowlegs was out for a stroll.

Great Egret 2018-6

Great Egret 2018-7

Several Great Egrets were perched high in the trees.

Fox 89 Fox 90

Fox 91

This Fox found a huge Rabbit to feed his family.

Muskrat at Lake Artemesia.

I met Graeme early at Lake Artemesia so he could return the coffee cup I left in his car yesterday. Old age and memory.

He was a little late, and I ran into a very cooperative muskrat and a couple of beavers before he arrived.

Al though it was a slow and a little breezy, we did get a nice variety of birds, if not as many as we wanted. Still no migrants to speak of, though.

American Coot 2018-4

Two American Coots are still hanging out at the floating dock.

Wood Duck 2018-18

We found a single Wood Duck pair.

Downy Woodpecker 2018-3

This Downy Woodpecker was foraging on the ground. Quite unusual.

Ring Necked Duck 2018-8

A single Ring Necked Duck was in the lake.

Canada Goose 2018-10

Only a few Canada Geese remain in the lake.

Muskrat 20

Muskrat 19

This Muskrat got out of the water to eat. I don’t see that often.

Purple Martin at Bombay Hook NWR.

I met Graeme early and we headed to Bombay Hook, planning on a dawn arrival.  I’m a believer that birds wake up hungry, and that morning light is the best light.

There may have been a few more birds than a couple o days ago, but not a lot. The variety wasn’t better, and we had to wait a couple of hours for the clouds to dissipate.

I’m also posting some pics from Quiet Waters a couple of days ago.

A Fox kit was the highlight of the morning, and we met and chatted with several nice birders.

Green Winged Teal 2018-3

Green Winged Teal 2018-2

There are only a few Green Winged Teal still in the area.

 

Great Egret 2018-5

Only a few Great Egrets were in evidence.

Tree Swallow 2018-11

Tee Swallows were numerous and active.

 

American Avocet 2018-5

We saw many American Avocets early, but they soon disappeared.

Black Crowned Night Heron 2018-1

Black Crowned Night Heron 2018-2

The Black Crowned Night Heron rookery was very active.

Northern Shoveler 2018-17

Many Northern Shovelers were foraging in the shallows.

Purple Martin 2018-3 Purple Martin 2018-2

Purple Martin 2018-4

There’s a large Purple Martin colony near the visitor center.

Pileated Woodpecker 2018-7

Pileated Woodpecker 2018-6

I found this Pileated Woodpecker at Quiet Waters.

Pileated Woodpecker 2018-5

Brown Creeper 2018-3

This Brown Creeper was just a little too far away.

Fox 87 Fox 88

Fox 86

Momma Fox and her kit are doing well.

American Avocets at Bombay Hook NWR.

I tried Bombay Hook this morning in hopes of early migrants, with mixed results. There were plenty of Egrets, but not as many others I had hoped to see.

Most of the birds I saw were in the first pool (Raymond), and it wasn’t as occupied as I’ve seen it in the past. Shearness and Bear Swamp pools were very sparse.

I talked to Graeme a few minutes ago, and we’re going to try again Friday.

Green Winged Teal 2018-1

Green Winged Teal 2018-2

There were several Green Winged Teals around, but only a few nearby and in good light.

Greater Yellowlegs 2018-1

Greater Yellowlegs 2018-2

Greater Yellowlegs often forage near shore.

Great Egret 2018-2 Great Egret 2018-1

Great Egret 2018-3

This Great Egret image, with the wing touching the water, is a lucky shot, but I’ll take it.

Tree Swallow 2018-10

I can’t recall seeing so many Tree Swallows perched in one place before.

Northern Shoveler 2018-16

There were many Northern Shovelers.

Bald Eagle 2018-29

There’s often a Bald Eagle perched near the main road, just like at Blackwater.

Snow Goose 2018-24

This Snow Goose is very late, and may be injured.

Mute Swan 2018-1

Mute Swans are very damaging to the environment and are actively discouraged.

American Avocet 2018-2

American Avocet 2018-1

American Avocet 2018-3

American Avocets are beautiful in the right light.

Four Swallows at Lake Artemesia.

We had the first sunny day in a week this morning. I got to Lake Artemesia early and started seeing birds right away. The Sun started to warm things after an hour, and more birds appeared. There was a nice variety.

I circled the lake several times. A Tern and a Palm Warbler appeared on my last go ’round, just as the wind started to pick up and make life a little more difficult.

A Pine Warbler showed up on a quick afternoon trip to Quiet Waters.

Wood Duck 2018-15

Wood Duck 2018-16

I saw these Wood Ducks shortly after I arrived.

Pine Warbler 2018-1

I found this Pine Warbler at Quiet Waters this afternoon.

Caspian Tern 2018-2

This Caspian Tern was fishing near shore.

Horned Grebe 2018-19

Horned Grebe 2018-18

This Horned Grebe is a rare visitor tho the lake. This one is in breeding plumage.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher 2018-1

I found only one Blue Gray Gnatcatcher.

Cardinal 2018-3

A very red Cardinal.

Great Blue Heron 2018-17

There will be more Great Blue Herons later in the year.

American Coot 2018-3

Two American Coots were foraging near the floating dock.

Osprey 2018-11

Four Ospreys were flying over the lake.

Pied Billed Grebe 2018-4

This Pied Billed Grebe is in breeding plumage.

Northern Rough Winged Swallow 2018-2

There were 10 or so Northern Rough Winged Swallow

Purple Martin 2018-1

This Purple Martin seems to be early.

Northern Rough Winged Swallow 2018-1 Barn Swallow 2018-2

Barn Swallow 2018-1

A single Barn Swallow was flying with the Tree Swallows.

Tree Swallow 2018-8

Tree Swallow 2018-7

There were more Tree Swallows that any other.

Palm Warbler at Lake Artemesia.

The weather has slowed me down lately. Cold, rain and high winds for several days, It’s getting better now, and Spring will break through soon.

I’ve been getting out a little, mostly to my local spots, but not finding much until today.   We had highs in the 60s, and a nice variety at Lake Artemesia.

I met Edgar early, and we circled the lake several times searching for a better look at the Common Loon, but had to settle for a distant shot. Other birds made up for it.

Osprey 2018-10

Osprey 2018-6 Osprey 2018-8 Osprey 2018-7

Osprey 2018-9

I’ve seen up to 6 Ospreys at Quiet Waters recently, including this one who’s occupying this particular nesting platform for the first time.

Horned Grebe 2018-17

Horned Grebes are nearly all gone.

Canada Goose 2018-8

Canada Goose 2018-9

Many Canada Geese have moved north, but there’s always a few hangers-on.

Red Breasted Merganser 2018-31 Red Breasted Merganser 2018-30 Red Breasted Merganser 2018-29

Red Breasted Merganser 2018-28

I followed this Red Breasted Merganser for half an hour hoping for a decent shot

Red Winged Blackbird 2018-9

Red Winged Blackbirds are singing loudly.

Bufflehead 2018-42

Only a few Buffleheads are still in the area.

Eastern Bluebird 2018-4

This Eastern Bluebird is a male in breeding plumage.

Tree Swallow 2018-1

Tree Swallows have been showing up for a week or so.

Common Loon 2018-2

Common Loon 2018-3

This is the best I could do with the Common Loon, who appears to be molting.

Tufted Titmouse 2018-1

I haven’t seen a Tufted Titmouse in quite a while.

Wood Duck 2018-12

Wood Duck 2018-13

A pair of Wood Ducks was cruising the shoreline.

Double Crested Cormorant 2018-9

Several Double Crested Cormorants were fishing in the lake.

American Coot 2018-2

Two American Coots were foraging in the lake.

Ring Necked Duck 2018-5

Ring Necked Duck 2018-6

There’s a small flock of Ring Necked Ducks roaming the lake.

Palm Warbler 2018-1

I had to follow this Palm Warbler for a while to get a good look.

Beaver 134

This Beaver let me get quite close.

Muskrat 18

I found this Muskrat at Blackwater a few days ago.

 

 

American Pipit at Possum Point.

We had a couple of days of cold, snow and wind, so it was nice to get out today in warming weather. Still too windy, but tolerable.

I started at Possum Point, which was slow except for the Pipit, which is a life bird for me. There were other birds around, but too far away.

Quiet Waters was also slow, but I did get a couple of OK images.

Horned Grebe 2018-15

I found this Horned Grebe at Quiet Waters a few days ago.

Great Blue Heron 2018-15

I also startled this Great Blue Heron.

Osprey 2018-2

My first decent Osprey of the year.

Red Breasted Merganser 2018-27

I spooked this Red Breasted Merganser, and was lucky to get any image at all.

Mallard 2018-18

This Mallard was also at Quiet Waters.

Chickadee 2018-2

Chickadees are easy to hear at Quiet Waters.

Bald Eagle 2018-27

Bald Eagles aren’t rare at Quiet Waters, but I’ve only photographed a few.

Eastern Phoebe 2018-1

First Eastern Phoebe of the season.

American Pipit 2018-1

This is my first American Pipit, and I had to get help with the ID.

 

Dark Eyed Junco at Lake Artemesia.

Graeme and I met at Lake Artemesia this morning in search of Wood Ducks, and did well. We had a bright day of sunshine with a light breeze and plenty of birds.

We were met by an Eagle, a relatively rare species at the lake, then Ring Necks and Pied Billed Grebes. Geese, Mallards and Wood Ducks followed. My first good Junco of the season will please my sister.

I made a brief stop at Quiet Waters in the afternoon and found a nice Pileated Woodpecker.

Spring is coming soon!

Bald Eagle 2018-26

This Bald Eagle flew overhead as we entered the park.

Pileated Woodpecker 2018-4

This Pileated Wood pecker is excavating a nest at Quiet Waters.

Mallard 2018-15

Mallard 2018-16

A few Mallards seemed to be playing in the lake.

Wood Duck 2018-8

Wood Duck 2018-10 Wood Duck 2018-9

Wood Duck 2018-11

Sveral Wood Duck pairs were cruising the lake.

Pied Billed Grebe 2018-3

Three Pied Billed Grebes were fishing.

Canada Goose 2018-7

Canada Goose 2018-6

We found only a few Canada Geese.

Red Winged Blackbird 2018-6 Red Winged Blackbird 2018-5

Red Winged Blackbird 2018-7

This Red Winged Blackbird posed in perfect light.

Bufflehead 2018-41 Bufflehead 2018-39 Bufflehead 2018-38

Bufflehead 2018-40

Only a few Buffleheads were swimming in the lake.

Dark Eyed Junco 2018-3

Dark Eyed Junco 2018-4

This Dark Eyed Junco was feeding rapidly.

Red Headed Woodpecker at Blackwater NWR.

Graeme and I looked for the Hooper’s Island Snowy Owl this morning without luck. Most of the waterfowl in the area seem to have moved on.

We then took a  tour of Blackwater and had somewhat better luck.  There were many Shovelers, Tundras, Geese and Eagles and a few passerines.

Very windy and cold weather probably affected the numbers of birds. It certainly affected our enthusiasm.

Bald Eagle 2018-25

We found this Bald Eagle on Hooper’s Island.

Great Blue Heron 2018-14

This Great Blue heron didn’t move for at least two hours.

Tundra Swan 2018-23

Many Tundra Swans are still at Blackwater.

Eastern Bluebird 2018-3

A few Bluebirds were feeding along Wildlife Drive.

Downy Woodpecker 2018-2

A Downy Woodpecker was near the observation tower.

Red Winged Blackbird 2018-4

Many Red Winged Blackbirds were singing.

Northern Shoveler 2018-13

Northern Shovelers were more common than usual.

Horned Grebe 2018-14

We found this Horned Grebe at Hooper’s Island.

Redhead 2018-8

This Redhead was also at Hooper’s Island.

Red Headed Woodpecker 2018-1

Red Headed Woodpecker 2018-2

The Red Headed Woodpecker barely moved at all.