I can’t complain about the weather today, but I spent three hours at Governor Bridge without any good images. The birds were there, but on strike.
An afternoon trip to Truxtun was much better.
Eastern Bluebirds hang out near the ballfield.
I caught this White Eyed Vireo just as he left his perch.
Another Yellow Rumped Warbler in breeding plumage.
This Green Heron was at the big lake.
This Mallard hen probably has chicks somewhere nearby.
These Chipping Sparrows look very handsome.
The weather couldn’t have been better;dry and not too hot. I had to wear my boots because of all the puddles.
Plenty of birds were active, but it was hard to get good poses, which is not unusual. Still, the few I got were worth the effort. Insects aren’t plentiful yet.
A quick afternoon trip to Truxtun was only mildly productive.
Red Eyed Vireos have returned in the last couple of days.
This Swamp Sparrow was well hidden in the brush.
Two Prothonotary Warbles were foraging rapidly and returning to their nest with the insects they found.
This solitary Lesser Yellowlegs was foraging in the mud at the big lake.
Gray Catbirds are plentiful all through the area.
This Savannah Sparrow was a surprise.
This Northern Parula is nesting near the big field.
I found this White-Eyed-Vireo at Truxtun Park.
This is my best Baltimore Oriole to date.
Many turtles were sunning themselves in the big lake.
The weatherman had called for rain this morning, but it looked decent enough to me, so I made a quick trip to Truxtun. I ended up spending about three hours, and I added a trip this afternoon, as the rain never materialized.
It turned out to be a good decision, as there as a large influx of birds in the last two days. Catbirds were everywhere, Vireos were singing, and a few others have made the trip back home.
I know exactly where to find Red Eyed Vireos in the park.
Yellow Rumped Warblers are in breeding plumage.
Red Winged Blackbirds nest in the marsh area.
THis Great Crested Flycatcher didn’t pose well, but he’s here for the record.
White Throated Sparrows should be migrating North.
Cornell;”The Ovenbird’s rapid-fire teacher-teacher-teacher song rings out in summer hardwood forests from the Mid-Atlantic states to northeastern British Columbia. It’s so loud that it may come as a surprise to find this inconspicuous warbler strutting like a tiny chicken across the dim forest floor. Its olive-brown back and spotted breast are excellent disguise as it gleans invertebrates from the leaf litter. Its nest, a leaf-covered dome resembling an old-fashioned outdoor oven, gives the Ovenbird its name.”
I seldom see the Northern Waterthrush.
Gray Catbirds Winter in Central America and the Bahamas.
This is the first female Eastern Towhee I’ve seen in the park.
Black and White Warblers usually crawl on tree trunks.
Cool and calm with light winds. A good day for birding, but mighty cool for late April.
I was determined to get back to Governor Bridge for some of the birds I’ve missed, and I found one. I see more trips in the future.
Blue Gray Gnatcatchers are very busy, everywhere in the park.
This Mallard and her ducklings were foraging in the big lake.
This is the first Spotted Sandpiper I’ve seen at Governor Bridge.
You can hear an Eastern Towhee singing long before you see him.
I’m having good luck with Swamp Sparrows this year.
This Green Heron was very elusive.
Baltimore Orioles often forage in the treetops, making close-ups difficult.
We’re getting some consistent Spring weather, so I decided to try Governor Bridge, which has been a good warbler place in the past. I found a few, but others found many more, so I’ll be heading back soon.
This Red Tailed Hawk was hunting in the big field near the parking lot.
This Mallard and her ducklings were foraging in the mud.
This Canada Goose is nesting in the big lake.
I thought this Mourning Dove was a Hawk when I first saw it.
Not a great shot, but I haven’t seen many Broad Winged Hawks.
This Red Winged Blackbird is a female.
I don’t often see Brown Thrashers on the ground.
White Eyed Vireos are almost too easy to find lately.
This Northern Parula was very cooperative.
Well, I can’t complain about the weather or the birds today. I missed a couple of nice warblers, but the good light and some cooperative birds made up for it. I’l catch the other ones on another day.
White Eyed Vireos seem to be more abundant this year. I’m hearing them everywhere.
Swamp Sparrows are more cooperative than usual.
Blue Gray Gnatcatchers are everywhere along the lower trail.
Why are these White Throated Sparrows still here?
I only see Field Sparrows rarely.
I’m looking for warblers, but a Red Bellied Woodpecker will do.
Tree Swallows are numerous, but it’s hard to get them in good light.
Prothonotary Warblers were almost commonplace today.
Common Yellowthroats were also around in numbers today.
If you’d told me I could spend the morning at Greenbury Point without seeing anything of interest, I would have disagreed.
While it wasn’t a complete waste, it was unusually barren.
I saw this House Finch right away, which got my hopes up.
Ospreys are doing very well on the Chesapeake Bay. These beautiful birds are almost commonplace in the Spring and Summer.
This package has been in front of my door for four days. It was delivered to the wrong address (We are 1021, the address says 1121).
We have: Called the recipient and left a message. This is the second time her packages have been left at our door, and she didn’t do anything about it last time.
We have also called Fed Ex 3 times, and they have yet to act.
When I said I’d post it on the web, they said, “Go ahead”. I have gone ahead.
The good weather had me dithering about where to go, and I settled on returning to Wooton. I know there’s a some good birds there. I didn’t find the Warblers I wanted, but I did well enough.
In the afternoon I went to Truxtun Park and found a few bugs.
Eastern Cardinals are now nesting in the park.
This Red Shouldered Hawk put on a good show for me.
Eastern Bluebirds are thriving everywhere I go.
White Eyed Vireos are still treating me well.
Blue Gray Gnatcatchers are busily building nests.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen a Chipping Sparrow.
This Tufted Titmouse posed very boldly.
This White Throated Sparrow is staying late into the season.
I’m not seeing as many Yellow Rumped Warblers as I’d expect.
This Swamp Sparrow is in breeding plumage.
Today’s bugs.
I found this little guy under a log.
A few local flowers.
The morning was windy and cool, which is not a favorite of mine, but I set out anyway.
The wind appeared to be keeping the birds out of sight, and it wasn’t much of a morning except for the Eagle.
Blue Gray Gnatcatchers were the only really active migrants.
I usually skip Red Winged Blackbirds because they’re so common.
This Bald Eagle saved an otherwise uninspiring day.
These Tent Caterpillars have just emerged.