Palm Warbler at Wooton Wetlands Park

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Hugh

Another nice Spring day had me trying to decide where to go. After some coffee, I elected to try Wooton again. While it was a little slow, I found a few nice birds and got a couple of decent shots. It seemed as though Turtles were on the move all day.
I made a quick afternoon trip to Quiet Waters and found some nesting Nuthatches.

I found three Turtles crossing the path today. Unusual, in my experience.

Eastern Bluebirds were very active today.

White Throated Sparrows will be migrating very soon.

Dark Eyed Juncos will also be leaving soon.

Swamp Sparrows are always found near water.

This Eastern Towhee was singing loudly for a mate.

This pair of White Breasted Nuthatches are nesting in Quiet Waters.

Several American Coots were in one of the small ponds.

This Palm Warbler is the first migrant I’ve photographed this Spring.

Pied Billed Grebe at Quiet Waters

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Hugh

Another beautiful day, but not much variety. Quiet Waters is perfectly situated for migrants, but I’m not seeing them yet.
An afternoon trip to Truxtun Park didn’t fare any better.

This might be a Cherry Blossom, but I’m not sure.

This Carolina Wren is greeting me often.

This female House Sparrow seemed to be sunbathing.

These Canada Goose were paddling serenely around the lake.

This Wood Duck was by himsef today.

This Mallard had the cove all to himself.

This Pied Billed Grebe has been solo for the last two days.

Northern Flicker at Quiet Waters Park

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Hugh

We’re finally getting some Spring weather. A few warblers have been reported, but the buds and insects aren’t in full evidence, so I decided to try Quiet Waters.
It was really a bit slow, but I found a few birds and a couple of bugs to get the season started.

I heard this Carolina Wren singing loudly, and looked around for a few seconds before I realized he was right in front of me.

Quiet Waters is a good place to find Bluebirds.

For once, you can see the crests on this Double Crested Cormorant.

This Canada Goose is nesting in the park.

This Great Blue Heron flew right in front of me.

This Pied Billed Grebe has been in the cove for about a week now.

This Northern Flicker was the first bird I saw this morning.

Today’s Bugs.

Gray Tree Frog at Truxtun Park

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Hugh

It really looked lousy outside this morning, but a few warblers have been seen, so I went to Governor Bridge to try my luck. There was very little to see, and I had some errands to do, so I left early and dropped in at Truxtun Park later in the afternoon.
The frog was a first for me, and a couple other animals cooperated, so it wasn’t a terrible day.

These Canada Geese are raising a family at Governor Bridge.

I was fortunate to find this Gray Tree Frog who was in the same tree as the Stink Bug.

I think this is a Stink Bug.

I found this 5 Lined Skink napping under a log.

Wood Ducks at Quiet Waters

Posted on April 6, 2014 by Hugh

We got very nice weather again today. A little cold, but plenty of sunshine. I went back to Quiet Waters to try my luck again, and had a very reasonable day. I spent about three hours in the morning, and another two hours this afternoon. I also got to talk to a couple of good birders and compare notes for future expeditions.

Two Pied Billed Grebes continue to hang out in the cove.

The Common Loon is one of my favorites. Sleek, attractive and all business.

These Lesser Scaup should have moved to a breeding ground by now.

Look in the air anywhere in Quiet Waters and you may see an Osprey.

This is a Wood Duck nest.

Pied Billed Grebe at Quiet Waters Park

Posted on April 5, 2014 by Hugh

The weatherman delivered on his promise of sunny and warm, and I spent the morning at Jonas Green and Quiet Waters. The Horned Grebes continued in goodly numbers, but there wasn’t much else.
Quiet Waters was slow as well, but a I got some decent shots of a bird I haven’t seen often. I went back in the afternoon to see if I could do better, and I did. The two Pied Billed Grebes I had seen in the morning were still there, and much more cooperative.

This Red Winged Blackbird was displaying.

This Eastern Phoebe posed for me as I was leaving the park.

I had much better light for these Horned Grebes today.

I’m not a gull fan, but this Ring Billed Gull flew right in front of me.

This Mallard was quite close to me when he took off.

When these Red Breasted Mergansers caught a fish, the other one would try to steal it.

I had amost despaired of getting a close shot of this Pied Billed Grebe when he started swimming toward me.

Horned Grebe at Jonas Green Park

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Hugh

Gray and dismal skies nearly kept me home this morning. I decided to give it a try anyway, and saw some good birds in very bad lighting. I don’t mind a challenge, but it’s disappointing to see what could have been a great image lessened by lack of decent light. Oh, well, it’s good practice.

Common Loons are getting to be regulars.

This Wood Duck and his mate didn’t come in as close as last time.

I was lucky to catch this Double Crested Cormorant eating a fish.

I was lucky to capture this Red Tailed Hawk who appeared behind me.

There were 15-20 Horned Grebes in the park.

Wood Duck at Quiet Waters

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Hugh

The weatherman was calling for rain this morning, so I had planned other chores. When it started to look decent outside, I took a trip to Quiet Waters.
It wasn’t as good as recently, but a few birds showed up to make it a worthwhile trip.

These Canvasback hens are still hanging around.

A single Double Crested Cormorant was feeding on the river.

I would have liked a little more light for this Wood Duck.

This may be a termite.

Red-Throated Loon at Jonas Green Park

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Hugh

The promise of good weather had me out at dawn, heading for Jonas Green. Horned Grebes were everywhere, in breeding plumage, along with a few Buffleheads and one spectacular Red-Throated Loon, a life bird for me.
I then went to Quiet Waters, where the magic cove wasn’t as productive as before, but it still produced some good birds.

This Gadwall was in the small pond adjacent to Jonas Green.

This Song Sparrow, like many birds at this time, is looking for a mate.

This Common Loon, like many, disappeared soon after I got this picture.

This Canvasback hen will be heading West soon.

This Canada Goose will probably breed in the area.

Horned Grebes are quite striking in breeding plumage.

I knew this Red-Throated Loon was different when I saw him, but I wasn’t sure of the ID.
Cornell:”The smallest of the loons, the Red-throated Loon breeds at high latitudes in North America and Eurasia. It is distinctive among loons not only in size, but also in behavior, vocalizations, locomotion, and other aspects of life history.”

This Ant is tiny, and he was moving.

A neighborhood bud.

I know nothing about Snails.

Green Winged Teal at Terrapin Nature Park

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Hugh

Another nice day, and another choice to make. No warblers have been reported yet, and the plants aren’t blooming, so it will be a while before things pick up. If Quiet Waters wasn’t closed on Tuesdays, I would have gone there, so I took a chance on Terrapin, and it worked out OK.
Birds weren’t numerous, but I found a few that made the trip worthwhile.