I stopped at Truxtun Park yesterday, without much lick. A couple of Geeses seem to setting up house, but there wasn’t much else.
I spent the morning at Quiet Waters, which was much better. I actually found several nice birds, though they didn’t all pose for me. Spring is coming!
South River from Quiet Waters.
These Canada Geese were at Quiet Waters,.
These Osprey are mating.
Many Horned Grebes were around this morning.
I found this Fox as I entered the park this morning.
It’s been a slow few days. Slow birding and bad weather have slowed me a little, but I was back on the road today.
It was my first trip to Terrapin in a while, and it was decent. It was the first time I’ve seen a Tundra Swan there, and the Green Winged Teal actually stayed close enough for a decent image.
CBEC was good enough also, and I’ve got a few pics from Blackwater as well.
A Chickadee close up is always good.
I caught these Tundra Swans as they landed at CBEC.
I’ve been going to Terrapin for 5 years, and this is the first Tundra Swan I’ve seen there.
The CBEC nest boxes are getting busy.
The Terrapin Green Winged Teals are seldom so cooperative.
These American White Pelicans were at DeCoursey Bridge.
Graeme found this Pine Warbler at Blackwater.
This Downy Woodpecker was at the marsh edge.
I often pass up Mockingbirds, but I liked this pose.
A flock of Brown Headed Nuthatches was feeding in the pines.
Yellow Rumped Warblers will be migrating soon.
Northern Shovelers are still abundant.
It’s been slow for a few days, and the weatherman says the next few days will suck, so I decided to give Blackwater one last try.
It’s definitely Eagle time of year, and I saw many, as well as plenty of ducks. I also took a trip to DeCoursey Bridge again, in hopes of finding fishing Eagles. Â There were actually many Eagles there, mostly juveniles, but they weren’t doing much fishing. The Pelicans were still there, though, and I got a couple of pics.
Blackwater Dawn.
At least 6-8 juvenile Bald Eagles were hanging out at DeCoursey bridge.
Red Winged Blackbirds were very active.
Many Snow Geese are still in residence.
These Green Winged Teal were at CBEC yesterday.
I saw many Great Blue Herons on this visit.
Northern Shovelers are still the most common duck.
Tundra Swans will be gone very soon.
Why do Killdeer hang out on the road surface so often?
American White pelicans are fond of Blackwater.
You can be nearly certain the Hooded Mergansers will spook when you get close.
I made the long trek to Bombay Hook this morning so I’d be sure of finding some worthwhile birds. Â It’s a difficult time of year-not quite migration and not Winter.
Bombay Hook always pays off to some degree. The Avocets are always welcome, as are the Teal. I did see some nice raptors, but too distant for good images.
A worthwhile trip.
Several Killdeer were in the road when I arrived.
Northern Pintails are also very numerous.
Many Gadwall were in the shallowest part of the marsh.
Only a few Buffleheads were in residence.
Mallards were well represented.
A large flock of Snow Geese flew overhead.
This Bald Eagle was trimming his nest.
Northern Shovelers are probably the most numerous duck.
I saw more Green Winged Teals than I did last time.
A large flock of American Avocets was feeding in the marsh.
I found this Fox as I was leaving.
I tried Patuxent South yesterday, and it was almost a complete bust. Very few birds and not much variety, but a Common Merganser saved the day.
Today I went back to Blackwater where I knew I’d find some good birds and it turned out OK. DeCoursey Bridge is just a few miles from Blackwater, and people have seen Eagles fishing there, so I took a look. No Eagles, but the Pelicans were a very nice surprise.
It was funny to see this Turkey Vulture on a Tree Swallow nest box.
This pair of Killdeer are mating at Blackwater.
A good 25 or so Great Blue Herons flew over Blackwater.
Red Winged Blackbirds are displaying everywhere.
Hundreds of Snow Geese are still in the area.
Northern Shovelers are still very common.
Hooded Mergansers spook very easily.
This seemed to be the only Northern Pintail at Blackwater.
American Coots always seem a little boring to me.
I found these domestic Geese on the way to Blackwater.
I saw many Bald Eagles today.
This Cooper’s Hawk flew off when he saw me.
These Canada Geese were at Patuxent,.
This is the first Common Merganser I’ve seen at Patuxent.
There were about 100 American White Pelicans at the bridge.
It’s been very slow for a few days, so I decided to try Blackwater despite the very windy forecast. It was as windy as any day I’ve been out, and I actually had trouble holding the lens in the strongest gusts. The soaring birds seemed to like it, though, and there were plenty of birds in flight.
I also found Ring Necks and Gadwalls, which I don’t often see at Blackwater.
This Chickadee was at CBEC yesterday.
I found this Great Blue Heron at CBEC yesterday.
This Bald Eagle is carrying a fish.
There’s always a few Buffleheads.
I seldom see Ring Necked Ducks at Blackwater.
An adult and a juvenile Tundra Swan.
This appears to be a flock of Dunlin.
A thousand or more Snow Geese are still wintering at Blackwater.
This Gadwall was at Jonas Green Park.
A flock of 6-8 Greater Yellowlegs were foraging in the marsh.
The weather man promised a good day, and he delivered. I started at Terrapin, which was a real bust. No interesting birds in the trees or on the water.
CBEC was much better, including the year’s first Tree Swallows and a very cooperative Northern Harrier. I usually see these birds at a distance, but today she was hunting only a few dozen yards away, and I got a few nice shots.
Many Tundra Swans were foraging at CBEC.
I saw this large flock of Canvasbacks flying overhead as I was leaving.
I’ve seen Northern Pintails at CBEC several times.
This White Throated Sparrow was at Terrapin.
Tree Swallows regularly nest at CBEC.
I was lucky to be quite near this Northern Harrier as she was hunting.
The promise of good weather made me take a chance on Bombay Hook, and it worked out OK. I didn’t see as many species as I wanted, but the light was good, and a few birds cooperated.
This Killdeer seemed to be solo.
I found this juvenile Bald Eagle as I was leaving.
Northern Pintails are the most numerous species.
Northern Shovelers are plentiful as well.
Many Tundra Swans seem to be staying for the Winter.
There were quite a few Black Ducks.
Quite a few Buffleheads were foraging in the marsh.
Several thousand Snow Geese were sleeping in the marsh.Â
These Dunlin (?) were just a bit too distant.
Red Winged Blackbirds were displaying everywhere.
I was hoping to find more Green Winged Teals than I did.
I went to Eastern Neck NWR a couple of days ago and it was a major disappointment. Â I’ve heard good things for years, but a 70 mile trip didn’t appeal, and I picked exactly the wrong time. I got only a couple of images, and nothing exciting.
Yesterday I stayed local and didn’t find much at all.
Today was back to Backwater, which was much more productive. Â Eagle were abundant, a few hawks showed up and a few ducks as well, and the weather was perfect.
Northern Shovelers are still abundant.
On a calm day you can get some wonderful reflections like this Great Blue heron.
The American White Pelicans are still hanging out.
This Horned Grebe was at Thomas Point.
Buffleheads also at Thomas Point.
This Canvasback was at my friend’s house.
These Scaup were the only interesting birds I found at Eastern Neck.
A view of Eastern Neck NWR.
Many Eagles were active today.
Hooded Mergansers were more cooperative than usual today.
Tundra Swans are still numerous.
I was lucky to spot this Cooper’s Hawk by the side of the road.
I got to Blackwater around dawn, looking forward to a good day after yesterday’s wind storm. The light wasn’t all that good, but I did find a few birds early.
I went around Wildlife Drive four times, and found my owl again, as well as a few ducks.
Blackwater Dawn.
The American White Pelicans are still hanging out.
This Cooper’s Hawk was the first bird I saw this morning.
Many Tundra Swans spend the winter.
This Red Shouldered Hawk was just a little too far away.
This Screech Owl seems to stay in the same tree for quite some time.
Hooded Mergansers seem to fly off as soon as I find them.
6 American Coots were foraging in the marsh.
I found this American Kestrel along the road.
Another perfect Great Blue Heron reflection.
This Bald Eagle was enjoying breakfast, when a juvenile came along to see if he would share.