American Redstart at Governor Bridge Natural Area

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Hugh

It was an ugly morning, but the weatherman predicted sunny, so I set out early looking for migrants blown our way during last night’s storm. The Sun didn’t materialize until much later, so bird activity was very muted. What birds I did see were poorly lighted, but there was plenty of variety even if I didn’t see them all.
I found some bugs after the Sun came out, including a cool grasshopper.

Early on, I found a tree just loaded with American Redstarts

Black and White Warblers weren’t hard to find.

Magnolia Warblers are still passing through.

This Red Eyed Vireo posed in decent light.

Spider 19 Handsome Meadow KatydidHandsome Meadow Katydid

Giant Swallowtail at Sands Point Park

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Hugh

I decided to vary my routine a bit, and headed to Wooton. It was a bit disappointing except for a vireo, so I headed to Sands Point Park, just a mile or so away and spent some time looking for birds. I did see a grosbeak, and an intriguing warbler who wouldn’t pose, but it was pretty dead also, so I switched to bugs.
The Giant Swallowtail was a real surprise, and I found a few more I hadn’t seen before.

This White Eyed Vireo was unusually cooperative.

A flock of 3-4 Blue Grosbeaks was foraging in the field.

This Goldfinch was one of the few birds who would pose.

These

These Giant Swallowtail Butterflies have to be seen to be believed. They’re not rare, but I’ve ever seen one before. The book says they’re 4″-6″ wide.

Today’s bugs.

Regina Finds a Northern Flicker at Governor Bridge Natural Area

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Hugh

Excellent weather continued today, and I got to Governor Bridge around dawn. I was determined to check out the lake area at sunrise, as recommended by Dave, and I ran into Regina, the best bird spotter in PG county. We met up again in the canoe launch area and found a few good birds together. A Flicker, a Cuckoo and a Scarlet Tanager were the highlights.
Later, I went after some bugs and experimented with my new (used) Nikon 55mm Micro lens. I see many interesting hours ahead with this old but very capable lens.

This spider is quite small. I took this with my new toy, A Nikon 55mm f2.8 Micro lens.

Marbled Orbweaver

Red Footed Cannibal Fly

Here’s the bugs.

This Northern Parula took off as I snapped the shutter.

This may be an Acadian Flycatcher.

We were a little surprised to see this Scarlet Tanager.

Blue Gray Gnatcatchers are so prolific I’ve been passing them by, but I liked this pose.

I’ve gone weeks without seeing a Yellow Billed Cuckoo, but this guy was very prominent today.

I’d like to have gotten closer to this Baltimore Oriole.

This Red Bellied Woodpecker was in his usual tree.

Regina spotted the yellow tail feathers on this Northern Flicker, and we had to wait a while to see his head.

I was really hoping to see more migrating warblers, so this Common Yellowthroat was a welcome sight.

Red Eyed Vireos are still easy to find.

Immature Eastern Towhee at Governor Bridge Natural Area

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Hugh

“Another day in paradise”, as they say. I don’t mind going out in marginal weather, but I’m getting spoiled with this run of excellent birding weather.
M first immature Towhee had me stumped until I got some help from the experts at AA Bird club. A begging vireo was a nice find, but many birds stayed partly hidden in the foliage, frustrating me a great deal. I did find a few more nice bugs.

This female Northern Cardinal seemed to be watching me.

This appears to be a first year Magnolia Warbler.

This is my first immature Eastern Towhee.

This White Eyed Vireo was begging for food, probably from a parent.

I’m not positive this is a Northern Parula.

Several birds stayed partially hidden today, like this Yellow Billed Cuckoo.

This Brown Thrasher was also reluctant to show himself.

Caterpillar 14 Turbulent Phosphila Moth caterpillar

All these bugs make good bird food.

Northern Waterthrush at Governor Bridge Natural Area

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Hugh

Early Fall is the time to be a birder in MD! It was a bit cloudy, but temps were in the high 60s and never got too high. It took a while, but I found a couple of migrant flocks in the trees around the pond near the parking lot.
Several warblers cooperated, and the insect haul was righteous.

Another Tennessee Warbler. Definite migrant.

This Northern Waterthrush is a first for me.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a Northern Flicker.

This Black and White Warbler posed with a White Eyed Vireo.

Downy Woodpeckers are becoming more visible.

I often see Red Bellied Woodpeckers on this dead tree.

This Northern Parula is probably a migrant.

I’m not sure which Empidonax Flycatcher this is.

Catbirds are everywhere.

This Chestnut Sided Warbler was partially obscured.

This Magnolia Warbler was the first bird I saw this morning.

Moth 7 Leafhopper (Speckled Sharpshooter)

Bug 4 Leafhopper (Speckled Sharpshooter)

Bug 3 Leafhopper (Speckled Sharpshooter)

The bugs were very good to me today.

Northern Parula at Governor Bridge Natural Area

Posted on September 8, 2013 by Hugh

Early Fall weather in Maryland seems to be ideal for the birdwatcher. A nearly cloudless sky and moderate temperatures made for comfortable walking and good light.
While not as prolific as yesterday, Governor Bridge is still hosting many migrants and not a few bugs. I missed some warblers who were feeding in dense cover, but I’m OK with the day’s haul.

I was lucky to catch this Yellow Billed Cuckoo as he took off.

White Eyed Vireos are usually hard to find.

This Magnolia Warbler was feeding rapidly.

I had to get help identifying this first year Northern Parula.

I had a good day with the bugs.

Tennessee Warbler at Governor Natural Area

Posted on September 7, 2013 by Hugh

Good weather and good birds!
I met Graeme at Governor Bridge very early with the intention of trying out some bug photography, but first we looked for birds, and did very well. Migration seems to be well under way, and we saw our fair share this morning. Afterward, we roamed the woods, and Graeme showed me some tricks for getting sharp images of small critters.

I caught this distant Baltimore Oriole just as he took off.

Sunrise at Governor Bridge

Ruby Throated Hummingbirds will be heading South in a few weeks.

I saw several Magnolia Warblers.

This Common Yellowthroat landed quite near me.

Red Eyed Vireos were abundant once again.

Dozens of Blue Gray Gnatcatchers were in the trees.

This Carolina Wren was feeding right alongside the other birds.

This Tennessee Warbler was a nice find as I’ve seen only a few.

This Prairie Warbler was very elusive.

Saddleback Caterpillar
Saddleback Caterpillar

The folks at MD Biodiversity tell me this is a Differential Grasshopper.
Differential Grasshopper

Taken with Graeme’s 55mm Nikkor Micro lens.

Pine Warbler at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center

Posted on September 6, 2013 by Hugh

Where to go?-that is the question. After vacillating, I decided to go back to Terrapin, which wasn’t awful, but not as good as yesterday. I did get to see a very close Bald Eagle, my first in a while. I had to work this morning, so I cut short the Terrapin trip to take a quick run by CBEC, where I was greeted by a Pine Warbler, my first since Spring. Some egrets and another warbler made it worthwhile.

This shows the contrast in size between the Great Egret and the Snowy Egret.

There were about 20 Great and Snowy Egrets feeding in the lake.

I saw Prairie Warblers at Terrapin and CBEC.

This Orchard Oriole was feeding right alongside the warblers.

I was surprised to see this Pine Warbler perched on a power line.

One tree at Terrapin seemed to be full of American Redstarts.

I’d like more variety in the warblers, but I’ll settle for a Chestnut Sided Warbler.

I haven’t gotten this close to a deer in a while.

Four Warblers at Terrapin Nature Park

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Hugh

I decided to go back to Terrapin after yesterday’s good luck, and I did reasonably well. I had some technical problems with over-exposing some shots, but I was able to make a reasonable recovery.
When the birds quit biting, I found some colorful bugs.

Yellow-Collared Scape Moth http://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewSpecies.php?species=2515 MD Biodiversity says this is the first record for Queen Anne’s County.

Summer Azure

Insect Ailanthus Webworm Moth

Bald Faced Hornet

attachment_id=10260″ rel=”attachment wp-att-10260″> Blue Gray Gnatcatchers are as active at Terrapin as elsewhere.

Magnolia Warblers are among my favorites.

I’m still finding American Redstarts regularly.

This Chestnut Sided Warbler is in Fall plumage.

This is the first Yellow Breasted Chat I’ve seen at Terrapin.

Cedar Waxwings will be around the park for a while.

Chestnut Sided Warbler at Terrapin Nature Park

Posted on September 4, 2013 by Hugh

Nearly perfect weather had me going back to Terrapin, where I had high hopes for migrants. I got a good loook at me nemesis bird, the male American Redstart, but not quite the image I want. A few other nice birds made up for that.
I’ll likely go back tomorrow.