Common Loon at Buddy Attick Lake Park.

Posted on May 29, 2016 by Hugh

I met Graeme early at Buddy Attick and spent the morning exploring the area and finding some good birds. This is a well maintained city park, with a lake, marsh, forest habitat that attracts many different birds.

We did a fairly slow and complete circle of the lake and saw a lot of possibilities for future expeditions. I expect I’ll go back tomorrow.

These Mourning Doves seemed to be courting.

We watched this pair of Baltimore Orioles for quite a while.

This Baltimore Oriole nest has many different kinds of materials.

We found this Warbling Vireo near her nest.

This Wood Duck let us get quite close.

This Common Loon is in breeding plumage and should be in Canada by now.

Orchard Oriole at Wooton’s Landing.

Posted on May 28, 2016 by Hugh

I hadn’t been to Wooton in a while, so I gave it a try this morning with mixed results. There were a few birds around, but they weren’t showing themselves.

I did manage a few images, but I’ve been spoiled in the last few days and was hoping for more.

This Gray Catbird was one of the few cooperative birds.

Song Sparrows are abundant at Wooton.

Orchard Orioles were plentiful and singing loudly.

It’s rare to see a Raccoon in the daytime.

Baltimore Oriole at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Hugh

After yesterday’s disappointment I decided to go back to Artemesia for a sure thing. It turned out well. The Baltimore Oriole has been a nemesis bird for me-I’ve got photos, but no really good ones.

I met Graeme early, and we saw good birds right away, and most of the morning. Afterward, he showed me nearby Buddy Attick Park, which I’ll visit again soon.

A view of Lake Artemesia.

This is the first Yellow Billed Cuckoo I’ve seen at Artemesia.

I often pass up Mockingbirds, but I liked this pose.

This Common Loon was at Buddy Attick.

We saw this Red Winged Blackbird as we were leaving.

Some very cooperative Barn Swallows.

I’ve seen fewer Blue Gray Gnatcatchers this year than previously.

Wood Ducks are thriving at Artemesia.

This Mallard will be leaving her ducklings soon.

More Purple Martin flight shots.

Several Green Herons flew over the lake.

This Orchard Oriole was one of the first birds we saw this morning.

I really wanted this Baltimore Oriole, so we spent a lot of time chasing it.

Cedar Waxwing at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Hugh

I finally got a decent sunrise at Sandy Point. My trip to Terrapin wasn’t as successful, with an unusual dearth of good birds, or any birds at all.

I took off early and got a few things done at home, and finished a good book.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This Great Blue Heron had the marsh pond to himself.

A flock of Cedar Waxwings was gorging on these berries.

Crow v. Osprey at Truxtun Park.

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Hugh

The truth is that bird photography can be very boring at times. Slogging through the marsh with wet feet and mosquitoes while carrying the necessary equipment and enduring long periods without finding a worthwhile subject can make you question your sanity.

But not always. On this occasion I was photographing the Blue Angels air show, when the resident Osprey was mobbed by a very persistent Crow.

I actually missed several of the planes while trying to capture the action, which went on for several minutes.

Wood Ducks at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Hugh

Another perfect day! I’ve gotten so used to shooting in poor light that I’d forgotten what a joy sunshine can be. I can’t afford the very best equipment, but my gear is as good as anyone’s in these conditions.

I went back to Artemesia in hopes of another great day, and I came close enough. Good birds were plentiful, and the God of luck was on my side.

The mama Mallard had gathered all her ducklings in a shady grass spot.

These Goslings are growing rapidly.

This Robin appears to gathering food for a family.

I’m getting good results with Purple Martins.

There seems to be more Eastern Kingbirds than usual.

Barn Swallows breed at Lake Artemesia.

There are several Orchard Orioles at the lake, but they can be hard to find.

Great Blue Herons often rest on this unused Osprey platform.

A Crow harassed this Osprey for several minutes.

Several Wood Ducks and their families were cruising the lake.

Has this Beaver bitten off more than he can chew?

Blue Angels at Truxtun Park.

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Hugh

I went to Sandy Point early, and decided the sunrise was too blah to record. I went right across the bridge to Terrapin, which was slow, but provided a few decent images.

CBEC was even slower-where are the wading birds?

The Blue Angels made their annual visit today, and provided the best images of the day.

These Deer greeted me at Terrapin.

A moderately successful try at a Tree Swallow.

Two Ospreys were actively building this nest.

I found this Great Blue Heron at CBEC.

Eastern Kingbirds are still plentiful.

A perfectly posed Cardinal.

This Red Tailed Hawk flew by as I was watching the Blue Angels.

A single Snowy Egret watched over the marsh pond.

The common Grackle can be attractive in the right light.

Red Winged Blackbirds were especially active today.

The Blue Angels.

Yellow Breasted Chat at Greenbury Point.

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Hugh

We had more rain early this morning, so I didn’t get out until 7:00. I went to Greenbury Point because it’s close, and I knew people had reported Chats. which are prolific at Greenbury in the Summer. I was also hoping for some butterflies, but had no luck.

I heard the Chats as soon as I arrived, and got some pics right away, then walked the entire loop without seeing much more. I expect it will get better soon.

Annapolis from Greenbury Point.

I haven’t seen many Indigo Buntings at Greenbury.

This Osprey nest is located right next to a main trail.

These Goldfinches are in breeding plumage.

This Grackle landed in a tree near me.

The Orchard Oriole is another bird I don’t see frequently at Greenbury.

A very cooperative Chickadee.

First Yellow Breasted Chat of the season.

Warbling Vireo at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Hugh

Beautiful weather and beautiful birds! I’d say this was one of my top ten days of all time. I saw good birds, in good light from the time I arrived at Lake Artemesia until I left.

This is the height of migration,of course, so it wasn’t a total surprise, but this month’s rain has really slowed things down.

The entrance to Lake Artemesia.

These Canada Goose goslings are growing rapidly.

This Green Heron was unusually cooperative.

I saw at least two Wood Ducks with babies.

I’ve seen Yellow Warblers nest at the lake in the past.

Several Eastern Kingbirds were flycatching at the edge of the lake.

I couldn’t pass up this nicely posed Cardinal.

A large flock of Cedar Waxwings was roaming around the park grounds.

This Great Blue Heron flew off as I entered the park grounds.

The Purple Martin houses are occupied for the first time I know about.

This is only the second Warbling Vireo I’ve seen.

It was unusual to see several Beavers out in the daytime.

Cedar Waxwing at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Hugh

It was raining lightly this morning, so I got a late start, arriving at Terrapin a bit after dawn. It’s usually fairly active early, but it was slow for an hour or so. A few birds were out, but I left and went to CBEC sooner than usual.

CBEC didn’t have much to offer either, even though I made the complete loop.

Tomorrow is offering better weather.