American Redstart at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 16, 2016 by Hugh

The sunrise at Sandy Point was better than average, and a few Sanderlings posed for me. The

bird population at Sandy Point is increasing, but I haven’t seen much variety yet.

I spooked a couple of Wood Ducks at Terrapin, but there were no other surprises. We’ve had a couple of days of North winds, which should bring in more migrants, but no luck yet.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This Common Yellowthroat was foraging in front of the blind.

I’m not sure of the ID of this very wet warbler.

This is a Magnolia Warbler.

This is the largest flock of Sanderlings I’ve seen.

Two Snowy Egrets flew across the dawn sky.

This Great Blue Heron was fishing at Sandy Point.

American Redstarts often spread their tails like this, perhaps to flush insects. Although I’ve seen it many times, I don’t often get such good images.

Today’s bugs.

Indigo Bunting at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Hugh

I had to work yesterday, and didn’t have time to post, so I’m combining a couple of days.

Today, I didn’t see much at all, but yesterday was a bit better. I was with Karen Caruso, and we spent a couple of hours at Terrapin, then went to CBEC, which was very slow. I’m not sure I got any worthwhile images at all there.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This American Crow was watching us as we passed.

Ospreys seemed to be more active.

A few Blue Gray Gnatcatchers are still around.

American Redstarts are still moving through in good numbers.

This Forster’s Tern was fishing at CBEC.

A flock of Laughing Gulls flew over Terrapin.

These Canada Geese took off just as I arrived.

A flock of Laughing Gulls flew over Terrapin.

A Black Vulture taking a morning rest.

A juvenile Indigo Bunting. Perhaps the most undistinguished of birds.

We found this Frog in the grass at CBEC.

And a few bugs

Blue Grosbeak at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Hugh

The sunrise was better than average this morning, and some feasting Vultures added a little interest.

Terrapin was slower than yesterday, but I managed a couple of decent images anyway. We’ve got a few more weeks of migration, and I expect to do even better soon.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

A dead rockfish attracted many Black Vultures.

I was lucky to catch this Caspian Tern as he passed by.

This Snowy Egret was fishing solo.

Common Yellowthroats are still showing up.

American Redstarts continue to be numerous.

This Blue Grosbeak is a juvenile.

Another cooperative Garden spider.

Today’s Bugs.

Red Eyed Vireo at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 12, 2016 by Hugh

Sandy Point provided a decent sunrise this morning, and had far more birds than usual. I didn’t see anything special, but that has to be a good sign.

Terrapin was very busy, with several warblers, Ospreys, butterflies, herons and egrets. The weather was the best in a long while; in the 70s with a slight breeze and low humidity. September may be the best birding month.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This Snowy Egret wasn’t happy to be interrupted in his fishing spot.

The Ospreys were doing very well this morning.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a Tufted Titmouse.

This is a female Black Throated Blue Warbler.

Common Yellowthroat Warblers may be the most common warblers I see.

This Black and White Warbler was the first bird I saw this morning.

This Great Blue Heron was on the beach at Sandy Point.

This is a male American Redstart.

Red Eyed Vireos have been scarce this year.

And a couple of Monarchs.

Royal Tern at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Hugh

The last few days have been very slow;so slow I didn’t have much to post. High heat and humidity didn’t help much, and early morning clouds prevented much of a sunrise.

Today, there was a foot race of some kind at Terrapin, making it difficult to find any birds at all, so I found a few bugs instead.

A few days of Sandy Point at dawn.

This Snowy Egret was one of the few birds I found today.

This Cardinal seemed to be curious about me.

I expect to begin seeing more Bald Eagles now that the weather is changing.

A few Mallards have begun appearing.

Yet another Sandy Point Sanderling.

Common Yellowthroat Warblers are still passing through.

I’ve only seen a few Royal Terns, and never before at Terrapin.

Old Faithful and friends.

Today’s bugs.

Prairie Warbler at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Hugh

The sunrise was a little better than average, and I tried some tripod shots with the 300mm lens,which turned out OK. No good birds were around at Sandy Point, but some terns might show up soon.

Terrapin was much slower than yesterday. Still, I found a few warblers, and that’s good enough.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This American Redstart is either a female or a first year bird.

This is a Magnolia Warbler.

This bedraggled Carolina Wren is molting.

Many Blue Gray Gnatcatchers were on the move.

Several Cattle Egrets were feeding in the newly mowed field.

This is my second Prairie Warbler of the fall season.

Forster’s Tern at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 5, 2016 by Hugh

I stopped at Sandy Point for an hour and didn’t take a single picture. No birds, no sunrise, not even a colorful sky. Bummer.

Terrapin continues to delight. No new warblers, but a good supply of the old ones. They’re tough little buggers to shoot, as they are constantly feeding and often burrow deep into the trees, looking for insects.

Some terns put on a nice show. They can be as challenging as the warblers, as they move quickly and erratically, and are not at all large.

Several Chickadees were feeding noisily.

There’s just enough of this Northern Parula for an ID.

This Cardinal is molting.

I haven’t seen many Red Eyed Vireos this year.

A Downy Woodpecker was feeding alongside the warblers.

American Redstarts are still passing through in large numbers.

The Magnolia Warbler is another warbler who’s fall plumage is much duller than the spring plumage.

I saw a lot of Common Yellowthroat Warblers.

This is a Caspian Tern. Note the red beak, black head and large size.

The head color pattern can help ID the Forster’s Tern.

And a Monarch butterfly.

Canada Warbler at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 4, 2016 by Hugh

Sunrise was a little better this morning, but not spectacular. It wasn’t as windy as yesterday, when the sun was hardly visible at all.

I met Karen Caruso at Terrapin, where we had a very good warbler day. I’ve only seen one other Canada Warbler, so it was a real treat.

There wasn’t much else around, probably due to the high water, but I’ll settle for warblers any day.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This appears to be an Eastern Wood Peewee .

Ospreys are still fishing in the marsh ponds.

Black and White Warblers are among the early migrants.

I’m seeing more American Redstarts than any other warbler.

This Great Egret is from a few days ago.

This Great Crested Flycatcher will be moving on soon.

The Fall Magnolia Warbler is plain compared to the Spring version.

This Goldfinch has found a nice breakfast.

I recognized this Canada Warbler right away.

And a dragonfly.

Black and White Warbler at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Hugh

Sandy Point was wishy-washy again, but Terrapin was much better. Several warblers were around, Egrets, eagles and bugs appeared, and the weather was perfect.

I keep thinking I should try another place, but not yet.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This appears to be an Eastern Wood Peewee.

First Magnolia Warbler of the year.

This Bald Eagle seemed to be chasing after an Egret for breakfast.

Ospreys are very active.

Wild Turkeys often forage near the entrance to Sandy Point.

I found this Sanderling yesterday.

A walker spooked this Cooper’s Hawk and he flew toward me.

This Great Egret stuck around for a while instead of spooking like he usually does.

This Snowy Egret was flying along the beach.

This Great Blue Heron has an injury from the fishing line and hook wrapped around his left leg.

First Black and White Warbler of the year.

Today’s bugs.

Sanderling at Sandy Point.

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Hugh

Low clouds prevented any hint of a sunrise this morning, so I wandered the beach with my 300 mm zoom but didn’t find much. It’s pretty dark, and photo opps are hard to find.

Terrapin continues to disappoint, warbler-wise. I saw a few, but they stayed in the shade and moved on quickly.

I spent more time with the bugs today, and did a little better.