Red Winged Blackbird at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on July 4, 2017 by Hugh

Back to Blackwater on the 4th of July. I was afraid it might be crowded, but it wasn’t bad at all.

The Great Egrets seem to have come back for a while. I saw at least 20.

There wasn’t a lot of variety today, so I stopped by Maple Dam Road and caught the Swallows and Cormorants.

Blackwater Dawn.

I saw this Great Blue Heron as I was leaving.

One of my better Red Winged Blackbirds.

Double Crested Cormorants hang out at the Maple Dam Dock.

The Osprey chicks continue to thrive.

20 Great Egrets were foraging in the marsh.

This Bald Eagle seemed to be keeping watch.

The Barn Swallows at Maple Dam Road are still very active.

This young Deer was indifferent to my presence.

This abandoned dock is at Maple Dam Road.

Great Egrets at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on July 2, 2017 by Hugh

There’s still not much being seen around here, so I went back to Blackwater, which hasn’t changed much. There are more Egrets, but everything else is about the same.

I did run into a couple of squirrels when I left.

Blackwater Dawn.

The Osprey chicks continue to do well.

Many Red Winged Blackbirds were active this morning.

I saw this Great Blue Heron as I was leaving the refuge.

There were many more Great Egrets than last week.

Several Bald Eagles were roosting along Wildlife Drive.

All that marsh, and only a single Greater Yellowlegs.

More of the Maple Dam Barn Swallows.

This Delmarva Fox Squirrel was on Egypt Drive.

Matthew and his family were crabbing at the Maple Dam Bridge.

Eastern Kingbird at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on July 1, 2017 by Hugh

I still have the problem of where to go each day, so I chose Artemesia this morning. The traffic is tolerable on weekends, and it doesn’t get busy until 9:00 or so.

More Wood Ducks are out, but no Egrets and only one Heron. Hummingbirds are are scarce, and passerines in general are hard to find.

This Eastern Kingbird seemed to be watching me.

I saw this Brown Thrasher shortly after I arrived.

Most Barn Swallow chicks have fledged.

This Wood Duck hen was keeping close watch over her ducklings.

Many Mourning Dives feed in the grass at Artemesia.

A few Mallards were foraging in the lake.

Barn Swallows at Maple Dam Bridge.

Posted on June 29, 2017 by Hugh

I went to Blackwater again, and it was a good trip. I’m still not hearing about much around here, and Blackwater is holding up well.

I got there just before dawn and got a few sunrise shots, then went around Wildlife drive several times. My skunk friend was briefly in view, but Herons and Egrets have greatly decreased. I spotted the first Snowy Egrets of the year, but couldn’t get a shot.

Other birds were more cooperative, including an Osprey family and an Orchard Oriole.

Blackwater Dawn.

It’s easy to find a Rabbit at Blackwater.

Egret numbers are down greatly.

This Osprey family is doing very well.

The Red Headed Woodpecker landed right in front of me.

Eastern Kingbirds are often waiting right by the side of the road.

Two Orchard Orioles were foraging in the bushes. Probably a family.

A single Greater Yellowlegs was feeding on the flats.

The Great Crested Flycatcher stayed in view for a while.

I usually look for Eagles at Maple Dam Bridge, but these Barn Swallows are nesting under the bridge.

Andy, and his father, Andy, were crabbing at the bridge, and doing well.

Great Egret at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Hugh

The weather looked promising, and there’s still not much to see around here, so I went back to Blackwater this morning. I’m not fond of the hour and a half drive, but it’s where the birds are at the moment.

I did well enough. Herons and Egrets are still foraging in t he marsh, and Ospreys and Eagles are active. A few smaller birds are around, and I found a Groundhog who didn’t pose, and a Delmarva Fox Squirrel who did.

Blackwater Dawn.

This Great Blue Heron may have spent the night in this tree.

I caught this Great Egret just as he launched.

The Red Headed Woodpecker was a little more elusive today.

Eastern Kingbirds are still hanging out near Wildlife Drive.

This Eagle spooked when I got too close.

This Delmarva Fox Squirrel was sitting by the side of the road.

Mephitis mephitis at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Hugh

OK, it’s a Skunk. Mephitis mephitis looks better in a title.

There’s still not much going on around here, so I headed back to Blackwater again. I can’t complain about the results, although I wasn’t really looking for mammals.

I actually did OK with the birds, and I suppose I’ll have to go back soon.

Blackwater Dawn.

This Great Blue Heron flew in early and landed very near to me.

This young Osprey is trying out his new wings.

The Osprey chicks are doing well.

I spotted this Brown headed Nuthatch while I was looking for hummingbirds.

This Mallard was taking a morning nap.

Red Winged Blackbirds are singing all along Wildlife Drive.

I found only a single Killdeer.

Several Eastern Kingbirds were flycatching along Wildlife Drive.

Far fewer Great Egrets are feeding than did last week.

The Delmarva Fox Squirrel appeared as I was leaving.

This daytime Fox seemed right at home posing for me.

I’ve only seen two Skunks in my photography career (They’re nocturnal).,

Barn Swallows at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on June 25, 2017 by Hugh

I met Graeme at Lake Artemesia this morning, and we had an OK morning. We definitely had more birds and more variety last year, but it’s hard to say if that means anything.

Tree Swallows were still fledging, and we found a single Barn Swallow still on its nest.

Lake Artemesia.

These first year Canada Geese seem to be nearly full grown.

This female Red Winged Blackbird posed very nicely.

This is a very you Starling, and I didn’t recognize it.

A few Mallards were foraging in the lake.

Purple Martins were fairly active today.

This was the only Barn Swallow nest we found.

Graeme Simpson, focusing, on the bridge.

Purple Martin at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Hugh

I decided to take a chance on Artemesia this morning, even though it’s been bad the last couple of trips.

It worked out. Not a lot of variety, but some good poses and decent light.

Wood Ducks seem to be a little late this year.

These Tree Swallow fledglings are waiting for a meal from mom or dad.

Purple Martins nest at Lake Artemesia.

Eastern Towhee at Wooton’s Landing.

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Hugh

I went back to Blackwater again this morning, and didn’t do as well. The flies are getting thick, but not as thick as they were at CBEC a few days ago. I’ve been told they’re even worse at Bombay Hook, so I’m going to pass on there for a while. They get so thick you’re constantly swatting at them, even though the insect repellent keeps them from biting.

The interesting thing today was the eagles eating carrion in the wheat fields. I saw three, accompanied by vultures, feasting on what appeared to be dead deer, on the way home.

This Bald Eagle just seemed to be hanging out.

Great Blue Herons now outnumber Great Egrets at Blackwater.

The Red Headed Woodpecker is still showing off for me.

I haven’t seen many Blue Grosbeaks recently.

This Eastern Bluebird was feeding a chick.

Eastern Kingbirds are numerous at Blackwater.

The Osprey chicks seem to be thriving.

I found this Eastern Towhee at Wooton a few days ago.

This Turtle has had a close call.

Tree Swallows at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on June 20, 2017 by Hugh

In the last days I’ve tried Wooton, Sands Road and Greenbury Point with virtually no luck. Back to Blackwater.

I had a decent morning, with a few eagles and some interesting Tree Swallow fledglings. The Red Headed Woodpecker is still cooperating and wading birds are plentiful.