Yellow Warbler at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Hugh

I didn’t decide where to go this morning until I got in the car. I was thinking about repeating yesterday’s outing, but the lake was calling. I made the right call, for a change.

Wood Ducks are still escorting their chicks, Orioles are still elusive and the weather is holding well.

Lake Artemesia.

I would have gotten closer to this Green Heron , but a jogger spooked him.

This Osprey was fishing, but had no luck while I was watching.

I liked this Mockingbird ‘s pose.

I liked this Mockingbird’s pose.

These Barn Swallows were gathering nesting material.

Tree Swallows are constantly in the air at Artemesia.

Wood Ducks are doing very well, and becoming less shy.

I found this Yellow Warbler’s nest, but it’s deep in a bush and good images aren’t possible.

Today’s flowers.

Barn Swallow at Schoolhouse Pond.

Posted on June 11, 2016 by Hugh

I went for the change-up today, and went to Schoolhouse Pond in Upper Marlboro, followed by a stop at Governor Bridge. It wasn’t a barn burner, but I found a few good birds.

I spent some time looking for insects, also, and it was good to see they are coming out.

Schoolhouse Pond.

I couldn’t get any closer to this Baltimore Oriole.

I don’t often see Field Sparrows at Governor Bridge.

This female Eastern Towhee greeted me at Governor Bridge.

I was glad see this Indigo Bunting.

I’m not seeing as many Eastern Phoebes as in previous years.

This House Sparrow has found a dragonfly.

This Barn Swallow is gathering mud and grass for his nest.

This Snail was on a milkweed plant.

This butterfly is a Fritillary.

Today’s flowers.

Baltimore Oriole at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on June 10, 2016 by Hugh

I talked to Graeme last night about Buddy Attick, and he said there wasn’t much happening, so I went back to Artemesia this morning. It was a good choice.

There are still Wood Ducks with young, and a few more birds than previously showed themselves. The light was ideal, and I got a few decent images.

Views of the lake.

It’s rare to find a Tree Swallow in a tree.

A small flock of Goldfinches was roaming the island.

This Mallard was escorting her young.

This Crow landed on top of the gazebo.

This is the first Northern Rough Winged Swallow I’ve seen at Artemesia this year.

Purple Martins were more active today.

A pair of Eastern Kingbirds are nesting at the lake.

Young Wood Ducks are growing rapidly.

It’s easy to hear Baltimore Orioles at Artemesia, but hard to see them.

White Eyed Vireo at Greenbury Point.

Posted on June 9, 2016 by Hugh

I started at Sandy Point again, and the sunrise was totally blah.

I stopped briefly at Possum Point. but the construction is continuing and it’s closed.

Greenbury Point was fairly productive, but I missed some good birds also.

Great Crested Flycatchers nest at Greenbury Point.

I just caught this Green Heron as he flew over.

This Ruby Throated Hummingbird was resting between feedings.

I don”t see many Chickadees at Greenbury.

Ospreys nest and fish nearby.

This Mallard landed on the asphalt path and seemed to be lost.

I’m not sure what this Crow is carrying.

Indigo Buntings seem to be around every year.

A small flock of Goldfinches was foraging among the grass.

White Eyed Vireos are often heard, but more difficult to see.

Today’s bugs and flowers.

Eastern Kingbird at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on June 8, 2016 by Hugh

After nearly getting bitten to death, I decided to stay away from the marsh and head back to Lake Artemesia.

The weather was certainly right, but I’m not seeing much variety. In previous years there have been egrets, swans, more passerines and kingfishers that just aren’t showing up today. I don’t have any idea if this is significant.

Another view of Lake Artemesia.

A Great Blue Heron was chased all the way across the lake by a Red Winged Blackbird.

This Robin was eating berries rapidly.

Several Canada Goose families are living at the lake.

A mother’s work…

Wood Ducks are still present in large numbers-mostly hens with ducklings.

This Green Heron landed right near me.

Some Mourning Doves will let you get close.

I chased this Orchard Oriole for ten minutes to get any image at all.

This Red Winged Blackbird was calling to defend his territory.

I had to get help to ID this juvenile Starling.

A pair of Eastern Kingbird s has been hanging out near the same tree every day.

Green Heron at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on June 7, 2016 by Hugh

I took a look at the sunrise, which was quite banal, and went right to Terrapin, again. It was really rather dead, which seems unusual for early June, but I managed a couple of images.

I then went to CBEC, which had so many biting insects that I withdrew quickly, despite having a good layer of insecticide. I haven’t seen that many insects in a long time.

A single Crow flew over the pond.

I found this Brown Thrasher at CBEC.

Red Winged Blackbirds are nesting and defending their territory.

This Green Heron was fishing the marsh pond by himself.

This Terrapin was crossing the road at CBEC.

I found a single Horseshoe Crab at the beach.

This Deer was snoozing at the edge of the pond.

Green Heron at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Hugh

After two days of gray, rainy and cloudy we finally had some sunshine. I guessed at Lake Artemesia, and it turned out OK, but I’ve had better days there.

I don’t recall a day with so many Wood Duck chicks, and a few Goose and Mallard young were around as well. The species count was low, but good light makes up for it.

A view of Lake Artemesia.

This Mallard hen was guarding her ducklings, who were sleeping in the grass nearby.

I saw more Wood Duck chicks than any day previously.

Cardinals look good in the right light.

This Canada Goose gosling was not to be disturbed.

Several Canada Geese flew circles around the lake.

An odd pose for a Tree Swallow.

A pair of Eastern Kingbirds is always near this tree.

More Purple Martins.

A classic Red Winged Blackbird pose.

I just barely caught this Green Heron as he flew by.

This Turtle was probably looking for a place to lay her eggs.

Today’s flowers.

Great Crested Flycatcher at Greenbury Point.

Posted on June 2, 2016 by Hugh

I tried a new place on Mill Creek this morning. A friend lives there and invited me to take a look. It was a but foggy and cloudy, and I didn’t see anything interesting, but I’ll go back soon.

It’s not far from Greenbury Point, and I had a little better luck there. Most of the images were so-so due to the poor lighting, but I’m posting a couple of them.

A flock of Goldfinches was foraging in the weeds.

This pair of Great Crested Flycatchers flew around the area for 20 minutes or more.

Cedar Waxwing at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Hugh

I stopped at Sandy Point , early, but the sunrise was quite banal, so I went right to Terrapin. I found some Waxwings right away, but not a single wading bird, and only one Osprey.

A Snapping Turtle appeared to be preparing for egg laying, but not much else was going on.

Same thing at CBEC. No interesting birds. It was getting hot and sticky by 8:30, and I headed home.

This Great Blue Heron flew overhead at CBEC.

These Canada Goose goslings are growing rapidly.

About 15 Cedar Waxwings were gorging on berries.

I saw two Snapping Turtles out of the water today.

Goldfinch at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Hugh

I went to Buddy Attick yesterday, but didn’t see much beyond a couple of turtles.

It was cloudy this morning, and I was skeptical, but I set out early for Lake Artemesia anyway. After an hour or so, the skies began to clear and a few birds began to appear, but it wasn’t any bonanza.

I spent more time with the Purple Martins, and tried to get a shy Oriole out of the bushes, but to no avail. Better days will come.