I met Graeme at Lake Artemesia this morning, and we made several circuits of the lake. A rare goose has been reported here a couple of times, and we found it right away, mixed with a flock of Canadian Geese. It’s not uncommon for odd species to mix with these geese, and I have looked many times, but this is one of the few times I found anything.

There were several interesting birds on the lake, but there was a lot of ice, also, which limited the places to search.

We walked along Indian Creek on the way out, and found a few passerines as we left.

This Brown Creeper was a nice surprise.

We saw about 200 Canada Geese.

Two Hooded Mergansers were hiding in the large flock of Geese.

There were 20 or more Ring-necked Ducks.

A single Bufflehead male was foraging near shore.

Many Mallards were feeding in the lake.

Several Chickadees were playing along the trail.

Cornell: “Breeding across the tundra from Nunavut to Siberia, across Russia, and in Greenland, the Greater White-fronted Goose has one of the largest ranges of any species of goose in the world. In North America, however, it is common only west of the Mississippi River, where it is found in large flocks in wetlands and croplands.”

Graeme was dressed for the weather.

I was hoping to get some super  moon shots at Blackwater this morning, but it was too cloudy.

There was a lot of ice in the marshes, so the ducks weren’t as abundant as usual, and I had to settle for Geese and Eagles.

I stopped by Oakley for some sitting ducks, so the trip wasn’t a total bust.

Blackwater Dawn.

This female American Wigeon was at Oakley Street.

There were hundreds of Snow Geese, but fewer than usual.

A Lesser Scaup.

There were only a few Redheads.

This Canvasback hen was having a snooze.

You can usually find a Bald Eagle perched on Wildlife Drive.

Several Great Blue Herons were perched along the ice.

Hooded Mergansers don’t always stay long enough for a picture.

Yesterday I tried Bombay Hook, and it was disappointing. The ice has mostly melted, but the water birds haven’t returned in numbers.

I found a few ducks, but they were scarce, and many were too distant.

I went to Quiet Waters this morning, but it has too much ice, so I headed to Thomas Point. There were plenty of birds, but too far out for images. I did find a few good birds at my friend’s house.

This Canvasback is accompanied by two Ruddy Ducks.

I don’t always get this close to a Bufflehead.

Tundra Swans are still abundant.

Only a few Scaup were present.

There were many Black Ducks at Bombay Hook.

Thousands of Snow Geese were at Bombay Hook.

Northern Shovelers were feeding rapidly.

It’s unusual to find a Hooded Merganser at my friend’s house.

I went to Blackwater this morning, hoping the ice had melted. The marsh was ice free, but the ducks haven’t returned yet.

Still there were plenty of geese and a few eagles to make things interesting.

I made a stop at Oakley Street on the way home, and there was a decent crowd of ducks there.

These two Bald Eagles greeted me this morning.

This Scaup was at Oakley Street.

Hooded Mergansers often spook as soon as they see you.

Many Tundra Swans were feeding with the Snow Geese.

I saw only a few Great Blue Herons.

There were several thousand Snow Geese at the refuge.

I started at Kent Narrows at dawn, and found nearly nothing. It’s odd how it can be so crowded one day and barren the next.

I made a quick stop at Possum Point, also, and there was nothing to see.

Thomas Point wasn’t as busy as yesterday, but there were a few birds, and a goods variety, including four Horned Grebes.

My friend’s house was very busy. with many Tundras, Canvasbacks and a few American Wigeons.

Thomas Point Lighthouse.

Kent Narrows at dawn.

Four Horned Grebes were feeding at the point.

Many Canvasbacks were cruising near shore.

There weren’t as many Ruddy Ducks as yesterday.

There were more than 50 Tundra Swans.

Many Mallards were present also.

I saw at least two American Wigeons.

I got up early to make the trek to Bombay Hook and got there shortly after sunrise. I immediately ran into a Short-eared Owl, who posed very nicely. A life bird and a rarity for me!

I hadn’t checked for closings before I left (I should know better) and quickly found that most of the refuge was closed. I decided to make a first visit to Prime Hook to check for the Snowy Owl who’s been seen there. He didn’t show, but I found a nice Sparrow.

I made a quick stop at Kent Narrows on the way back.

This Scaup was feeding at Kent Narrows.

This Scaup was feeding at Kent Narrows.

Only a few Double Crested Cormorants are around at this time of year.

This Savannah Sparrow cooperated well.

I found a lone Bufflehead at Bombay Hook.

There hasn’t been much action lately, and the weather hasn’t cooperated, but I had a decent day today to make up for it.

I started at Kent Narrows, where birds were scarce, but there was a decent variety.

Sandy Point was almost completely iced in, and a complete bust.

Thomas Point was teeming with birds, and had even more variety. I’m still not finding great ducks, but it’s getting better.

Another unusual Mallard.

This Mallard hen has unusual colors.

This Bufflehead hen was quite close to shore.

You can almost always find a Great Blue Heron at Kent Narrows.

A few Hooded Mergansers were foraging near shore.

I seldom see more than a few Red Breasted Mergansers at Thomas Point.

Scaup are usually the dominant birds at Thomas Point.

I only found a few Canvasbacks.

The Redhead is a striking bird.

I found this young deer at Sandy Point.

I went to Blackwater yesterday, and it was a disappointment because the marsh was mostly ice, and very few ducks were around. I found some Snow Geese in a nearby field, and a couple of Eagles, but it was otherwise barren.

Thomas Point was much better, this morning. There were plenty of birds, and a good variety of species. calm winds, bright sun and temps in the forties made for a nice morning.

Looking East from Thomas Point.

I only found two Bald Eagles.

These Hooded Mergansers took off as soon as I found them.

These Scaup were spooked by a Black-backed Seagull.

This Bufflehead hen was foraging quite near shore.

A few Red Breasted Mergansers were around all morning.

Occasionally, Tundra Swans wander out near the middle of the bay.

This huge flock of Red Winged Blackbirds was feeding in the same field as the Snow Geese.

Two Mallards and a Scaup.

There were several hundred Snow Geese on the ground, and many flying in and out.

It was very cold again  this morning, so I grabbed my ski pants and boots to take a look at Thomas Point. The hope was that more interesting species of ducks would have moved in, but it wasn’t to be.

There was an abundance of birds to make up for the lack of variety, including a first ever at Thomas Point Peregrine. The ice cover is increasing, but there’s a warming trend in play. so I expect big changes in a few days.

All the Common Goldeneyes were females.

There were only a few Red Breasted Mergansers.

A large flock of Canvasbacks flew past the point.

Many Buffleheads were mixed in with the Scaup.

I haven’t seen many male Hooded Mergansers recently.

A few Tundra Swans flew by when I arrived.

Many Buffleheads were mixed in with the Scaup.

This Peregrine Falcon is carrying a Bufflehead.

I spent an hour or so at Sandy Point yesterday, and about the same at Thomas Point this morning.

It’s really cold-in the twenties, and there’s enough wind to feel the effects. It’s amazing to watch these delicate-looking birds  blithely dabble and dive in the near freezing water.

There were lots and lots of birds, but mostly too far out for good images. Try as I might, I could only find the usual suspects, but I’ll keep looking.

And a picture of Cupcake, because it’s my blog and I can put up whatever I want.

I found this Ruddy Duck at Sandy Point.

Several Common Goldeneye hens were at Thomas Point.

There were more Scaup than any other species.

This Song Sparrow was on the beach at Sandy Point.

Many Scaup were feeding at the point.

There were many more Bufflehead hens than drakes.

I found only a few Hooded mergansers.