Osprey at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Hugh

Another average kind of sunrise without many interesting shore birds at Sandy Point. This is a tough gig sometimes.

Warblers are being seen in many places, but Terrapin wasn’t the place this morning. There were a few around, but they didn’t stay long.

A couple of Ospreys and a few bugs made the morning more interesting.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This is a migrating American Redstart.

This is a Laughing Gull.

Osprey dives are spectacular, even when they miss the fish.

Today’s bugs.

I believe this is a Leopard Frog.

Prairie Warbler at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on August 29, 2016 by Hugh

We had a nice blood red sun this morning, along with a few clouds that made for a more interesting sunrise. A couple of shore birds strolled by as well.

I found four warblers and a few bugs at Terrapin, but the wading birds were all elsewhere. The water is high in the ponds, and I think that’s the reason.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This is a Common Yellowthroat Warbler .

Several American Redstarts were feeding in the trees.

This Chickadee was the first bird I found at Terrapin.

Sanderlings don’t seem to mind people.

You can’t get closer to a Ring Billed Gull than this.

I shot this Carolina Wren in almost complete darkness.

Today’s bugs.

Two Great Danes were being walked in the park.

Chestnut Sided Warbler at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on August 28, 2016 by Hugh

Sunrise was the usual uninspiring view. We need some clouds or maybe an alien invasion to spice things up.

Terrapin was crowded this morning. Sometimes I forget there are weekends. There were a few warblers around, but they were fast moving and generally indifferent to my wishes. I did get a few images, and I hope to see things pick up very soon.

Sunrise at Sandy Point. This is the day the sun aligns with the lighthouse. A ritual sacrifice is in order.

Two Green Herons were feeding in the marsh ponds.

Two immature Bald Eagles were cruising the marsh ponds.

Red Winged Blackbird are still very active.

I was lucky this Chestnut Sided Warbler stayed still long enough for a photo.

I saw a few butterflies, but this Skipper was the only one who would pose.

Downy Woodpecker at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

Posted on August 27, 2016 by Hugh

Warblers are being seen in the area, so I decided to give Governor Bridge a try. It didn’t work out. Not only no warblers, but hardly any birds at all.

Fortunately, the bugs were more cooperative and I got a decent variety.

I was lucky to catch this Downy Woodpecker with his wings spread.

Today’s bugs.

A few flowers.

I had good lighting for this Spider Web.

Mallard at Sandy Point.

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Hugh

Another really insipid sunrise was relieved by a Mallard feeding in the shallows. The lighting is sort of interesting.

Terrapin was nearly barren. No warblers at all, and the high water seems to be keeping the wading birds away.

It was so cloudy the sun didn’t appear until well after dawn.

I’m going to call the Bullfrog “Old Faithful” as he appears regularly in the same spot.

This Great Blue Heron was the only wading bird in range.

I only found one Forster’s Tern.

I shot this Mallard with a flash just before dawn.

Today’s butterflies.

Eastern Kingbird at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Hugh

Another so-so sunrise at Sandy Point. Winter sunrises seem to be the best.

Terrapin was slow again, with only one distant warbler, and only a few wading birds.

A few butterflies made the morning a bit better.

Marge and Jim Perry, fellow birders.

Dawn at Sandy Point.

Several Ospreys were fishing in the bay.

I’m seeing fewer Great Blue Herons than usual.

I would have liked better light for this Bald Eagle.

This Black Vulture was eating something only a few feet away.

This Eastern Kingbird will be leaving soon.

This Northern Watersnake was swimming in the marsh pond.

I liked the look of this flower.

Today’s butterflies.

And a dragonfly.

American Redstart at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Hugh

Sunrise was better than average, and a Sanderling posed for me, so the day got off to a good start.

The big fields at Terrapin wasn’t at all productive, but I found some warblers in the trails on the way to the beach. They were mostly Redstarts, and it didn’t last long., but it’s certainly a good start.

The marsh ponds were not as productive as usual.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This Sanderling started foraging 50 yards up the beach, and wandered right in front of the lens.

There were only a few Snowy Egrets around today.

I haven’t seen many hawks lately, so this Cooper’s Hawk was a nice surprise.

This Baltimore Oriole is probably a first year bird.

I saw 10 or more American Redstarts.

This a Red Spotted Purple.

Belted Kingfisher at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Hugh

Sandy Point sunrise was only so-so again-I didn’t even wait for the sun to appear before leaving for Terrapin.

Terrapin was unusually active today, with plenty of herons, egrets and eagles, but no warblers yet. I spent an hour searching for them before I settled in, but had no luck at all.

Sandy Point. Black Vultures at dawn.

Three Eastern Kingbirds were foraging in the marsh.

At least four Green Herons are still active.

Only one Forster’s Tern showed up this morning.

Two Great Egrets were fishing in the marsh pond.

I haven’t seen a Belted Kingfisher at Terrapin for several weeks.

Two turtles appeared while I looking for birds.

Today’s butterflies.

This Jumping Spider was the only bug I found.

Laughing Gull at Sandy Point.

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Hugh

Sunrise was so-so once again, but there were a few interesting birds on the beach.

I was at Terrapin shortly after sunrise, but the water was quite high from last night’s rain, and there weren’t any wading birds to be seen. I spent some time searching for warblers, which are being seen elsewhere, but had no luck.

I had an early appointment, so I made a brief stop at Sandy Point on the way home and picked up a couple of gulls.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This Sanderling was also on the beach.

I found this Blue Gray Gnatcatcher while looking for warblers.

This appears to be a first year Osprey.

This Forster’s Tern was at Sandy Point.

This Laughing Gull was on the beach.

Today’s butterflies.

Butterflies at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on August 20, 2016 by Hugh

I took a couple of pictures at Sandy Point, but they’re so blah I’m not even editing them.

Terrapin had the usual suspects, with a nice crop of butterflies. Graeme, Diana and I spent some time on camera technique and got a few decent pics before the heat and humidity drove us out.