American White Pelican at Blackwater NWR.

I went back to Blackwater this morning as I’d heard more ducks were in. I didn’t really find that many, but the Eagles and Pelicans made up for it.

American Wigeon 2016-8

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American Wigeons are one of my favorites.

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Canvasbacks were fairly numerous.

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This Great Blue Heron looked a little awkward as he too off.

Snow Goose 2016-9

A large flock of Snow Geese flew off as I approached the marsh.

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A few Killdeer were in the mud flats.

Hooded Merganser 2016-11

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These Hooded Mergansers spooked easily.

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There were plenty of Bald Eagles around today.

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A large flock of Tundra Swans was in the marsh.

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This is the first time I’ve seen the Blackwater Pelicans in flight.

 

Trumpeter Swan at Lake Artemesia.

Between the weather and work I haven’t posted much lately. I had a decent day today, so this is a catch up as well.

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Sunrise at Sandy Point.

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Three Buffleheads were on the lake.

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Artemesia is the only place I’m seeing Ring Necked Ducks.

Lesser Scaup 2016-7

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I haven’t seen many Scaup this season.

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Ruddy Ducks are doing well at the lake.

Hooded Merganser 2016-8

Hooded Mergansers have been in short supply so far this year.

Brown Pelican 2016-6

Another Brown Pelican at Thomas Point.

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I found this Bufflehead at Thomas Point.

Northern Shoveler 2016-13

This Northern Shoveler was at Blackwater NWR.

Red Tailed Hawk 2016-12

This Red Tailed Hawk was at Blackwater NWR.

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Double Crested Cormorants at Sandy Point.

Trumpeter Swan 2016-4

This gives you a good idea how large the Trumpeter Swan is-the Canada Geese look like ducks.

Trumpeter Swan at Lake Artemesia.

I took another weekend trip to Lake Artemesia and it was well worth it. The Trumpeter Swan has been there in the past, and apparently just returned.

The usual ducks were in attendance, and a few passerines showed up as well.

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A view of Lake Artemesia.

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There are many Song Sparrows along the edge of the lake.

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A small flock of Cedar Waxwings is almost always around in Winter.

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A very cooperative Mockingbird.

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These Bufflehead hens were at Thomas Point.

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Distant Brown Pelicans.

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This Common Loon was also at Thomas point.

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I forget where I saw this Robin.

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Tundra swans have returned.

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Fish Crows at Thomas Point.

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I caught this Ruddy Duck as he was taking off.

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Several flocks of Dark Eyed Juncos were feeding near the lake.

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Mallards can be found any time of year.

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There were three Northern Flickers in this tree.

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I saw a lot of Bald Eagles this week.

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Cornell: “Trumpeter Swans demand superlatives: they’re our biggest native waterfowl, stretching to 6 feet in length and weighing more than 25 pounds—almost twice as massive as a Tundra Swan. Getting airborne requires a lumbering takeoff along a 100-yard runway. Despite their size, this once-endangered, now recovering species is as elegant as any swan, with a graceful neck and snowy-white plumage. They breed on wetlands in remote Alaska, Canada, and the northwestern U.S., and winter on ice-free coastal and inland waters.”

 

White Breasted Nuthatch at Buddy Attick.

I started early at Lake Artemesia, which had only the usual suspects,and not very abundant.

Buddy Attick was also slow, but I did see a few birds I hadn’t found in a while.

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Ring Necked Ducks are still present in good numbers.

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Chickadees are very athletic.

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A flock of Blue Jays was moving around the park.

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White Throated Sparrows are all around the lake.

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This Robin has fund a nice feast.

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This Ruddy Duck is stretching to rearrange his feathers.

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Mallards always look good in the right light.

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I haven’t seen a White Breasted Nuthatch in quite a while.

Brown Pelican at Thomas Point.

I had to work this morning, so it was short day.  Quiet Waters was first, and it was barren. There should be some ducks around by now.

Thomas Point really wasn’t any better, but 4 Pelicans showed up as I was leaving, and I managed one half decent shot. These are scarce around here, but a lot seem to be visiting this year.

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This Song Sparrow was fascinated by his reflection in this shiny car.

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The last Brown Pelican I saw before this year, was 4 years ago, also at Thomas Point.

Red Tailed Hawk at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.

I left early to get to Blackwater around dawn and beat the traffic.  It takes about an hour and a half, and it’s not a bad drive when the traffic is light.

I usually go around Wildlife Loop several times-a nice drive with places to stop. I was surprised to see no Eagles on the first go round, but I ended up seeing 8 or more, including 5 at one time.

There weren’t many ducks yet, and no swans, but there was enough to make the trip worthwhile.

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This Cattle Egret was totally unafraid of me.

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Northern Shovelers were well represented.

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I saw quite a few Northern Pintails.

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Several Great Blue Herons were fishing in the marsh.

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Bald Eagles were in all parts of the park.

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I found a few Hooded Mergansers, just a bit too far for good images.

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Many Mallards call Blackwater home.

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This young Red Tailed Hawk was perched at the side of the road.

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This very large Snapping Turtle was crossing the road.

 

Fox Sparrow at Terrapin Nature Park.

The sunrise was a little better than average this morning. but it could be better. Perhaps the cold weather will help.

Terrapin continues to be sketchy. In past years it was easy to find small birds in every bush, but, so far, they’ve been sparse.  It’s  still early for ducks, but I’ve seen more in past years. I went to Thomas Point yesterday and found only a few distant birds.

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Sunrise at Sandy Point.

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This juvenile Bald Eagle was watching over the marsh pond.

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This Great Blue Heron was fishing among the Mallards.

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Red Bellied Woodpeckers have been scarce this year.

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This Fox Sparrow was the first bird I saw at Terrapin.

 

 

Bald Eagle at Lake Artemesia.

 

Back to Artemesia this morning.  It seems to me there were more birds in the local spots in previous years, but not so far.

Artemesia is still busy, but there should be more variety. Where are the mergansers?

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Sandy Point in the morning.

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The bridge at lake Artemesia.

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I think there are more Ring Necked Ducks than usual this year.

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The Wood Ducks were in Indian Creek this morning.

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The Ruddy Ducks were very sleepy this morning.

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This Great Blue heron was very intent on his fishing.

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I just barely caught this Bald Eagle as he flew over.

Wood Duck at Lake Artemesia.

I started out early yesterday morning, only to turn around after a few minutes when it started raining. Today was drier, but very cloudy, and it was hard to get really good images.

There were plenty of interesting birds around, but I’m going to try again tomorrow to see if others will show up.

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A small flock of Ruddy Docks has been around for a week or more.

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2-3 flocks of Ring Necked Ducks seem to be spending the winter.

 

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I’m seeing Pied Billed Grebes most places I go.

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I found this Bald Eagle a couple of days ago at Jug Bay.

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It’s easier to find Wood Ducks at Artemesia in the morning.

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It’s easier to find Wood Ducks at Artemesia in the morning.

 

Black Ducks at Terrapin Nature Park.

Why are Winter sunrises better than other seasons? I don;’t know, but it seems to be true. Not great today, but not bad.

I went back to the Eastern Shore in hopes of seeing some improvement, but it was not to be. Terrapin had little variety, and CBEC had many ducks too distant for good photos.

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Sunrise at Sandy Point.

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Swamp Sparrows do well at CBEC.

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This is the season for White Throated Sparrows.

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I saw several Ruby Crowned Kinglets.

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This Eastern Bluebird was at CBEC.

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15 or more Black Ducks were swimming with the geese at Terrapin.