Painted Lady at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

Posted on August 6, 2016 by Hugh

I met Graeme early at Governor Bridge, and we found an injured Great Blue Heron right away. We managed to get it back to the car, but it was early and we couldn’t locate any help, so we released it. It didn’t seem to have a serious injury, so it may have a decent chance.

Other than that, it was deadly slow, with virtually no visible birds. We spent some time looking for bugs, with limited success.

This Great Blue Heron clearly couldn’t fly, so we covered its head with my shirt, and took it back to the car park.

We kept it in this bag while we tried to find help.

Today’s flowers.

Today’s bugs.

The Painted Lady is very attractive.

Northern Watersnake at Sandy Point.

Posted on August 5, 2016 by Hugh

Another so-so sunrise at Sandy Point was redeemed by a snake, high up on the beach who seemed to be dead. I wonder if a bird tried to eat him and dropped him there?

Terrapin and CBEC were both very slow, but the exercise was good for me

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This Snowy Egret flew right at me.

I found this egret feather at CBEC.

This Caspian Tern didn’t stay long

I think the snake threw up this eel.

This Northern Water Snake, appeared to be dead, but slithered away quickly when I approached.

I had to wait a while for this Red Admiral to open his wings.

Forster’s Tern at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Hugh

It was unusually dark at Sandy Point this morning, but I got a couple of usable shots. There were many more gulls than usual.

Terrapin was very lively, with Egrets, Herons and Terns.

CBEC had a few good birds, but most were too distant for good images.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This Osprey has caught a large fish.

This Great Egret was fishing very near to me.

This Green Heron landed in a dead tree about 20 feet from me.

Barn Swallows and Purple Martins appear to be staging for migration.

This Forster’s Tern was fishing in the marsh pond.

Caspian Tern at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on July 30, 2016 by Hugh

Sunrise at Sandy Point was good enough, but I really wanted more color.

Terrapin was sort of slow, but I got fairly close to the Terns. I didn’t have enough shutter speed for this fast little guy, but I’ll know better next time.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

There are still a few Barn Swallows at CBEC.

Ring Billed Gulls can be very noisy.

This Snowy Egret is a photo from last year I re-edited.

I can’t tell what insect this Red Winged Blackbird has caught.

This Great Blue Heron wasn’t having much fishing luck.

It was fun to watch this Caspian Tern fishing expertly.

Green Heron at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Hugh

I got out briefly yesterday and visited Governor Bridge, which was almost barren of birds. I haven’t had a good day there this Summer.

Sandy Point was kind of dull this morning, and Terrapin wasn’t a whole lot better, but there were a few good birds.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

Snowy Egrets are gathering in small groups.

A single Great Egret fished with the Snowys for a while.

This Green Heron landed right in front of me.

Monarchs and Swallowtails are easier to find now.

Hummingbird Clearwings tend to be abundant in the Summer.

Green Heron at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on July 26, 2016 by Hugh

The Sandy Point sunrise was quite good this morning. Partly cloudy days seem to be the best. I looked yesterday and the clouds went right to the horizon, with no sun to be seen at all.

Terrapin remains a bit slow, with plenty of Egrets and not much else. A distant Bald Eagle was a treat, but I didn’t see much else.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This female Red Winged Blackbird was very active and noisy.

This Great Blue Heron wasn’t having much luck.

Two Common Terns were fishing in the marsh pond.

There were about 12 Snowy Egrets foraging in the pond.

Two Green Herons were looking for breakfast.

Black Crowned Night Heron at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on July 24, 2016 by Hugh

After another so-so sunrise at Sandy Point, I went to Terrapin, which was a little livelier. No Sandpipers yet, but it won’t be long.

CBEC was slower than usual, which was just as well, as it got hot and humid early.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

Ring Billed Gulls are startin to show up at Terrapin.

I found several Green Herons at CBEC.

Another Snowy Egret kind of day.

Great Egrets should be with us through the Summer.

My guess is that we don’t often see a Great Egret and a Black Crowned Night Heron together.

The Black Crowned Night Heron was much closer today.

The friendly CBEC Fox.

Diamondback Terrapins seem to like the CBEC area.

Bullfrog at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on July 22, 2016 by Hugh

The Sandy Point sunrise was better than usual-nice colors.

I went to Terrapin for a while, and it got hot quickly. I stayed long enough to see 10 Snowy Egrets, but there wasn’t much else. I’ve often wondered how the heat affects birds.

I don’t see many frogs, so I got a nice surprise as I was leaving.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This Red Winged Blackbird was chattering loudly.

It was the day of the Snowy Egret .

I watched this Great Blue Heron fish for a while, but he wasn’t having much luck.

Bullfrogs usually spook easily, but this one waited for me.

Solitary Sandpiper at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on July 21, 2016 by Hugh

Yesterday was so bad I didn’t post even the few images I got. Today was much better. I read somewhere that wildlife photography is the most difficult, and I can see why. You have virtually no control over the subject, and good images can be hard to come by.

The sunrise wasn’t much, but wading birds are showing up in better numbers now, and I expect the rest of the Summer to be decent.

The Marsh Pond at Terrapin.

Snowy Egrets are showing up in good numbers now.

Two Common Terns were fishing in the pond.

I like the light and the surroundings on this Red Winged Blackbird.

Ospreys don’t seem to fish in the marsh pond as much as they used to.

This Black Crowned Night Heron moved a little closer this morning.

I haven’t seen a Solitary Sandpiper since last year.

Dragonflys are prolific near the water.

Common Tern at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Hugh

I started at Sandy Point again, and got a so-so sunrise. There were a few egrets around, but not much else, so I headed to Terrapin, as usual. Things are definitely picking up there, and I expect it will be a hot spot soon. I was pleased to see the Black Crowned Night Heron again.

CBEC was rife with biting insects, and not as many birds as usual, but the tame Fox showed up in the parking lot again.