American Avocet at Bombay Hook.

Posted on October 28, 2017 by Audubon

Once again I drove too far and didn’t see much. It didn’t help that Bear Swamp Pool was closed for construction shortly after I arrived.

The bird with the biggest numbers was the Least Sandpiper, and even they weren’t as numerous as in the past.

I saw more eagles than usual, and a few ducks, but migration has slowed for the moment. Several Foxes were around but the low light prevented good images.

Red Winged Blackbirds are far less numerous.

Northern Shovelers are still present.

Some male Green Winged Teals have finally shown up.

Another Savannah Sparrow.

Swamp Sparrows were well represented.

Northern Pintails were foraging in the marsh.

I found only one small flock of American Avocets.

Black Duck at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on October 26, 2017 by Audubon

I made the trek yesterday, and it wasn’t very productive. The migrating ducks haven’t made it this far yet, and many of the refuge regulars have moved on.

I did manage a few respectable photos, but I’ll probably wait a few weeks before returning.

Blackwater Dawn.

Several Great Egrets were foraging along Wildlife Drive.

Bald Eagles were plentiful, as usual.

This is a juvenile red Headed Woodpecker.

Several Great Blue Herons were patiently fishing.

This is a juvenile red Headed Woodpecker.

American Robin at Ellen O. Moyer Park.

Posted on October 24, 2017 by Audubon

I started this morning at Truxtun Park, where the water was so high the bridge was partly submerged. Good light and a few good birds.

Ellen O. Moyer Park is a small park at 7228 Edgewood Road in Annapolis. I’ve been there several times in the last few years without finding much, but I gave it another shot this morning. The flooding was so bad downtown that traffic out of town was backed up everywhere, so it made sense to stay local.

This park has a tall wooded hill and a good waterfront vista, so I’ll keep trying.

West entrance to the park.

Cardinals always look good in evergreens.

Great Blue Herons have been very active at Truxtun recently.

The water was very high at Truxtun, and this Double Crested Cormorant was almost at the end of the creek.

I’ve seen a lot of hawks at Truxtun, but they don’t always pose as well.

This Robin was thoroughly enjoying his bath.

If you didn’t know, a Mallard’s feet are orange.

This Squirrel was eating well at Ellen O. Moyer park.

Wood Duck at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on October 21, 2017 by Audubon

I met Graeme early at Lake Artemesia, and we made several trips around the lake, then spent an hour or so on the Indian Creek trail.

There were Yellow Rumps everywhere, as well as Kinglets and Blue Jays. We found a pair of Wood Ducks and a Cuckoo that’s been hanging around the lake for three days.

Beautiful weather, good company and some nice birds. Couldn’t ask for more.

Lake Artemesia.

First White Throated Sparrow of the season.

I caught this Yellow Rumped Warbler as he was taking off.

Two Downy Woodpeckers were foraging in the area.

This Great Blue Heron was patiently fishing in the lake.

A Song Sparrow in good light.

This Beaver was unusually cooperative.

Graeme focuses on a distant bird.

Northern Pintail at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Audubon

I went to Blackwater this morning in hopes of finding some ducks, and got lucky. Pintails and Shovelers were there in modest numbers, along with a few Sparrows, Geese and Flickers.

The weather couldn’t have been better. Several Eagles and Cormorants cooperated as well.

There will be many more ducks later, but today was a good harbinger.

The Key Wallace dock at 7:00 AM.

This Bald Eagle allowed me to get very close.

Northern Flickers are migrating.

I saw 3-4 Great Egrets.

All the Northern Pintails and Shovelers appeared to be first year birds.

This Forster’s Tern was hovering right in front of me.

Wild Turkey at Sandy Point State Park.

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Audubon

I managed to drop my camera and break a few things, so both lens and camera spent a couple of weeks in the shop, but I’m back in business now.

I’ve been hanging out locally with my 70-300mm Nikkor, and I found a few close enough for decent shot. Yesterday I got to Bombay Hook, which was unusually slow.

It’s good to have my tools at hand again.

An unusual pose for a Double Crested Cormorant.

First Northern Pintail of the season.

Savannah Sparrows are still easy to find.

First Ruddy Duck of the season.

Very cool Mallards.

There were hundreds of Least Sandpipers.

I found this Yellow Rumped Warbler (FOS) at Wooton’s Landing.

This Eastern Phoebe was also at Wooton.

A Ruby Crowned Kinglet from Wooton.

Truxtun Park always has a few Mallards.

Many Canada Geese spend time at Truxtun Park.

Green Winged Teal were very numerous.

Several Wild Turkeys were foraging by the side of the road.

I often see this Black Squirrel, but he doesn’t pose most of the time.

You can’t go wrong with a baby Squirrel.

This Squirrel hangs out at my front door.

Praying Mantis at Quiet Waters..

Posted on October 4, 2017 by Audubon

I went to Lake Artemesia this weekend, and my big lens crapped out, so it’s in the shop for a few days. I’ve been running around looking at bugs and nearby birds, but not finding a whole lot.

I should be back in action in a few days.

I haven’t seen many Northern Parulas this year.

I found a few Wood Ducks at Lake Artemesia.

This Red Bellied Woodpecker was at Sandy Point.

This Caspian Tern was resting at Sandy Point.

This Praying Mantis is making a meal of an insect leg.

Linda and I were admiring this Praying Mantis, and she agreed to pose with him.

Today’s bugs.

I needed a little more shutter speed to capture this Black Squirrel.

Pectoral Sandpiper at Bombay Hook NWR.

Posted on September 30, 2017 by Audubon

Bombay Hook has been very, very good to me, so I made the trek again to see if I could get lucky.

It had to be a record day for Harriers. I saw at least six, one of whom posed nicely. A lifer Sandpiper, many ducks and egrets and a Fox by the side of the road made for a good day in near perfect weather.

I’m still not seeing any male Green Winged Teals.

I saw at least 6 Northern Harriers today.

Many Greater Yellowlegs were feeding in the shallows.

Northern Shovelers are the most common duck at the moment.

There were dozens of Egrets, but most were quite distant.

Savannah Sparrows are almost common .

These American Avocets didn’t stay long.

This Double Crested Cormorant seemed to be sleeping.

This Pectoral Sandpiper is a life bird for me.

This Fox paid no attention to me at all.

American White Pelicans at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on September 28, 2017 by Audubon

I got out yesterday and found nothing worthwhile. Migration is slowing and the ducks aren’t here yet.

I tried Blackwater this morning, and it was slow, but worthwhile. Lots of Eagles, a few Egrets and Herons and plenty of Terns still hanging out. Perfect weather.

This Great Egret was working very hard for breakfast.

Bald Eagles were active and visible.

I drove very close to this Great Blue Heron and photographed it through the window.

Two Chickadees were playing in the grass and ignored my presence.

I often see Savannah Sparrows on Wildlife Drive, but it’s hard to get close enough for an image.

This Caspian Tern was on Key Wallace Drive.

These American White Pelicans were too far away, but worth a try.

American Avocet at Bombay Hook NWR.

Posted on September 25, 2017 by Audubon

I headed for Sandy Point early this morning, but as soon as I was on the road I could tell it was going to be a tepid sky, so I just kept going over the bridge to Bombay Hook.

It turned out OK. Bombay Hook can be very busy, with many species on some days, but today was not quite as prolific Still, the Avocets were a nice find, and some other migrants put on a good show. I expect things to pick up there very soon.