Osprey with Chicks at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Hugh

There’s still not much action around Annapolis or College Park, so I went back to Blackwater this morning. There’s still not much variety, but there’s many more birds than around here.

I did find a few birds locally in the last few days, and I’m including them here.

This is a newly fledged Red Winged Blackbird.

I’ve been having very good luck finding the Red Headed Woodpeckers at Blackwater.

Huge numbers of Great Egrets are feeding at Blackwater.

This Green Heron let me get very close.

The Double Crested Cormorants are fishing at Maple Dam Road.

Greenbury Point has always been a good place for Goldfinches.

These Glossy Ibises were at Blackwater.

This Crow posed at Greenbury Point.

This Wood Duck flew off as soon as she saw me.

I found this Mallard at Patuxent South.

This Tree Swallow was at South Tract.

The North Tract office has several Hummingbird feeders.

This Osprey, nesting along Wildlife Drive, has two chicks.

Red Headed Woodpecker at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Hugh

I went to Artemesia with Graeme yesterday, and got virtually nothing. I hate wasting time like that, so I headed back to old reliable Blackwater this morning. I considered Bombay Hook, and may do that soon.

There’s not as many wading birds, but there’s still plenty of variety, and the Fox Squirrels are still cooperating.

Dawn at Blackwater.

I saw these Wild Turkeys as I was driving home.

There are still plenty of Great Egrets.

The Glossy Ibises are still foraging in the marsh.

A single Killdeer was in the road near Pool #1.

This Double Crested Cormorant was fishing at Maple Dam Road.

This Osprey seemed to be taking a break.

I’m not sure what this Bald Eagle was doing on the ground.

Red Winged Blackbirds are very common, but sometimes they pose well.

I spent some time looking for this Red Headed Woodpecker, and he landed right in front of me as I was giving up.

The Delmarva Fox Squirrels are still cooperating.

Glossy Ibis at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on June 10, 2017 by Hugh

I woke up early, undecided as to where to go, and just headed back to Blackwater, hoping for another good day.

I didn’t get the variety, but the weather was perfect, and there were plenty of birds to choose from. I’m starting to suspect that Fox Squirrels are easier to find in the Summer.

Dawn at Blackwater.

This Orchard Oriole has a nest along Wildlife Drive.

This may be an Acadian Flycatcher.

This Red Headed Woodpecker is from yesterday.

Great Egrets seem to be the most common wading bird.

This is a Great Crested Flycatcher.

This Blue Grosbeak female was a surprise.

This Canada Goose pair is escorting their brood.

Several Eastern Kingbirds were foraging in the marsh.

This female Red Winged Blackbird has found a tasty snack.

This Bald Eagle pair has a nest nearby.

This appears to be a Greater Yellowlegs.

I got a better look at the Glossy Ibis today.

Red Headed Woodpecker at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Hugh

I went back to Blackwater with Graeme today, and we had a very good day. Many uncommon birds, excellent weather with perfect light, and very cooperative subjects.

The RH Woodpecker would have been a great day by itself, but we added Pelicans, Ibises and Delmarva Fox Squirrels. It’s been a while since I had such a bonanza of a day.

I didn’t see as many Bald Eagles as in past days.

This female Orchard Oriole was feeding her young chicks.

I haven’t seen American White Pelicans in the Summer before.

This Red Winged Blackbird successfully drove this Osprey and his mate away.

We got very close to this brown Headed Nuthatch, who just ignored us.

Several Eastern Kingbirds were flycatching in the area.

This Red Headed Woodpecker was a nice find.

Many Great Egrets were feeding in the marsh.

Great Blue Herons were almost as numerous as Egrets.

I wasn’t able to get a better look at this Glossy Ibis.

Red Winged Blackbirds were very active everywhere.

We saw three Delmarva Fox Squirrels today.

Double Crested Cormorant at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on June 6, 2017 by Hugh

I don’t usually go to Blackwater at this time of year, but it’s been so slow around here I thought I’d try it. I did OK, and missed several good birds, so it was worth the trip.

Many Great Blue Herons were fishing in the marsh.

I don’t recall seeing so many (30-40) Great Egrets anywhere else.

This Red Winged Blackbird attacked me several times as I walked by his nest.

This Green Heron was the first bird I saw this morning.

It’s a little rare to see a Double Crested Cormorant with both “Crests” showing.

This young deer seemed more attractive than most.

This large Snapping Turtle was crossing the road on Wildlife Drive.

Julia caught the large (6 lb.) snakehead that Pat is holding above.

Cedar Waxwing at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

Posted on June 4, 2017 by Hugh

A long interval between posts again. It seems to me that birds weren’t so hard to find in previous years.

I’ve been to College Park, Bowie, Annapolis and the Eastern Shore, and no single day stands out as especially good. Maybe I’ll have better luck as June progresses.

Dawn at Sandy Point.

Red Winged Blackbirds are calling in every marsh.

I found this Wood Duck hen at CBEC.

I hear many more Great Crested Flycatchers than I see.

This Mockingbird has found a nice blackberry.

This Northern Flicker was also at CBEC .

There are plenty of Blue Jays around.

I was lucky to get any look at this Brown Thrasher.

This Catbird was in the parking lot at Terrapin.

This Barn Swallow was at Lake Artemesia.

This Indigo Bunting is hanging out at Greenbury Point.

These Tree Swallows are at CBEC.

This Osprey flew overhead at Greenbury Point.

These Cedar Waxwings seemed to be courting.

And a couple of flowers.

This is the smallest Eastern Box Turtle I’ve seen.

5 Lined Skink at Quiet Waters.

Posted on May 26, 2017 by Hugh

It’s been 10 days since I posted anything; a record for this blog. It started with the flu, then a death in the family and the aftermath thereof. On top of all that, the few times I managed to get out there just wasn’t much to see.

Then, a few days ago, my big Sigma lens had a problem and I had to send it out for repairs.

I’m just going to post what I have without too much comment.

Canada Goose and goslings at Lake Artemesia.

Orchard Orioles will breed in our area.

Purple Martins have returned to Lake Artemesia.

First Red Eyed Vireo of the year.

This butterfly has been identified as a “Sleepy Orange.”

Today’s bugs.

Rose Breasted Grosbeak at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on May 16, 2017 by Hugh

After yesterday’s bonanza, I decided to try Terrapin again. It wasn’t nearly as good, but I got some good pics and a bird I don’t see often.

I spent an hour at CBEC as well, but didn’t see much at all.

I’m seeing more Great Blue Herons now.

This Tree Swallow may be feeding young.

The Ospreys were lazy today.

Snowy Egrets are still a bit sparse.

Snowy Egrets are still a bit sparse.

I haven’t seen many Rose Breasted Grosbeaks, so this was a real treat.

Magnolia Warbler at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Hugh

Where to go? There are definitely warblers in the area, but it seems to be a crapshoot. I flipped a mental coin and chose Terrapin, which has been good in previous years.

I chose well. I didn’t find any huge fallouts, but there was a good variety of migrants, and I got a couple of decent images.

I followed this Yellow Warbler for a while to get a decent image.

Several Eastern Kingbirds were flycatching near the parking lot.

A single Orchard Oriole was near the marsh pond.

Several Palm Warblers were feeding near the marsh.

This is a Yellow Rumped Warbler in breeding plumage.

Baltimore Orioles seem to be passing through in numbers.

Two Acadian Flycatchers were feeding in the big field.

This Brown Thrasher wouldn’t come into the open.

This Yellow Warbler is a male.

This Great Crested Flycatcher may stay for the season.

My first Red Bellied Woodpecker in a while.

I’ve only seen a few Catbirds so far this season.

This is a male Magnolia Warbler in breeding plumage.

Three Deer were grazing on the big field near the marsh.

Baltimore Oriole at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Hugh

It’s been a while since I posted anything. Between a week of flu and some very cold May weather, I haven’t gotten out much lately.

I’m posting a few pics from short recent trips, and more from a good trip to Lake Artemesia this morning. We’re finally getting a few migrants in decent numbers.