It was a promising day weather-wise, but the birds just weren’t showing up. It was one of my worst bird days of all time.
A few bugs showed up to keep me busy enough for the day.
Blue Gray Gnatcatcher are usually common, but I didn’t see many today.
Two Carolina Chickadees were foraging right above my head.
Red Eyed Vireos are still easy to find.
Today’s bugs.
Two flowers
It was more like Summer than Spring this morning. I had arranged to meet Emily ay Governor Bridge, and I arrived about 6:30. There was very little to see until we went up to the lake, where a few birds showed up. The caretakers were mowing. so I went looking for bugs a little sooner than I’d planned.
An afternoon trip to Quiet Waters gave me a chance to try out my new flash.
This Common Yellowthroat was one of the few birds in the lower field.
My first good Eastern Kingbird of the season.
I would have liked for this Scarlet Tanager to be closer.
Emily, scanning for birds.
Prothonotary Warblers are nesting at the big lake.
Orchard Orioles are also nesting at the lake.
Today’s bugs.
My sister, Marthe, joined me on an expedition to Terrapin this morning. We looked for over two hours and didn’t find much of interest, and very few images were worthy of processing. Disappointing, but we had a good time.
In the afternoon, I found a few bugs at Truxtun Park.
Two Ospreys were fishing in the marsh pond.
We saw two Common Yellowthroats.
This Red Eyed Vireo was willing to pose.
Today’s bugs.
And a flower.
Another warm, cloudy morning had me heading out late to Wooton. There have been some good birds thee, but I didn’t find much. A couple of decent shots will have to be good enough.
An afternoon trip to Quiet Waters produced a few bugs, but no birds.
This European Robin figurine (Ca. Civil War) was given to me by a friend.
Catbirds aren’t as numerous as last week.
Not a good shot of this Yellow Warbler, but it’s the first of the season and the first I’ve seen at Wooton.
These Red Eyed Vireos were having a serious squabble.
Red Eyed Vireos were numerous and active
It’s good to see the Prairie Warblers have returned.
Today’s bugs.
Another cloudy day, but I headed out to Governor Bridge to look for warblers. I met three lovely women from the AA Bird Club, and we had a pretty good day despite the weather.
I also learned that the D3200 flash is much more powerful than the D3100 due to the better sensor, so I got some overexposures as a result.
An afternoon trip to Quiet Waters produced a few bugs.
This Prothonotary Warbler is nesting at the lake.
This Common Yellowthroat is a female.
Indigo Buntings are easy to find as they often sing at the tops of trees.
The distinct song of the Eastern Towhee can be heard all through the park.
This Red Bellied Woodpecker was drumming for a ate.
These Orchard Orioles were very active at the lake.
This female Red Winged Blackbird. was foraging in the mud.
Today’s bugs and plants.
Gray, cloudy skies were not promising, but I went to Quiet Waters because of some good reports. The birds were there, but the light was just awful.
A quick trip in the afternoon produced a few bugs, but no birds.
A large flock of Yellow Rumped Warblers was foraging in the parking lot.
Even a poor shot of a Scarlet Tanager is worth seeing.
Today’s bugs and a Rough Green Snake.
I was again undecided where to go, and didn’t really make a decision until I got in the truck. I decided to go back to Governor Bridge, and it worked out OK.
There were many warblers around, as well as other birds, and I flushed an American Bittern, but couldn’t get a picture.
Blue Grosbeak, male and female.
Spring Goldfinches aren’t too shabby either.
The Indigo Buntings are back, in goodly numbers.
This Baltimore Oriole was a surprise.
This Swamp Sparrow stayed in sight for a while.
Common Yellowthroats seem to be nesting everywhere in the park.
The Yellow Rumped Warbler in breeding plumage is very striking.
This the first time I’ve seen a Magnolia Warbler in breeding plumage.
Work kept me from putting in a full morning today, and a quick trip to Truxtun was only moderately successful.
Another Yellow Rumped Warbler in breeding plumage.
Several Black and White Warblers were in the area.
Cool and partly cloudy weather had me dithering again, but I decided to give Governor Bridge a try. Although I got a few decent images, it was a disappointing variety of birds.
I went to Quiet Waters in the afternoon, with decent results.
Ruby Throated Hummingbirds have returned.
A small flock of White Throated Sparrows was foraging in a very small area of the woods.
Not a good image, but it’s my first Orchard Oriole of the season.
The American Redstart is one of my favorite warblers.
This Northern Parula is nesting at Governor Bridge.
THis Blue Gray Gnatcatcher is gathering silk for his nest.
My first Blue Grosbeak of the season.
Just as I was getting bored, this Black and White Warbler landed right in front of me.
We seem to getting good weather regularly these days and it makes for good photos.
I got to Wooton just after dawn and the birds were active. I saw a nice Oriole right away, but couldn’t get a good shot. I had good luck the rest of the morning and got a few really nice images.
My first Yellow Breasted Chat of the season.
Common Yellowthroats were unusually cooperative.
Northern Cardinals look really good in great light like this.
I had to chase this White Eyed Vireo for a while to get a good look.
I’m still trying to get a Tree Swallow in good light.
I haven’t had a good Blue Jay shot in a while.
There are many beautiful warblers, but the Prothonotary Warbler is spectacular.
This Yellow Throated Vireo is also a first of season.