Osprey at Terrapin Nature Park

Posted on July 14, 2013 by Hugh

It looked like a promising morning despite the weatherman’s predictions of rain, so I headed for Terrapin, where I haven’t been lately. I was surprised to find that the Bay Bridge toll has been increased to $6.00, which was annoying.
I was also surprised to find two of the main paths at Terrapin blocked by downed trees. I assume they’ll fix that soon.
It was very humid, and buggy, and birds were in short supply. I watched the Terns fishing in the marsh pond for a while, then headed home early.

This young rabbit was almost totally unafraid.

Several Common Terns were fishing, but they didn’t often come close enough for a decent picture.

I watched this Osprey catch this large fish, then he flew by so closely that he didn’t quite fit in the frame.

This Red Winged Blackbird landed in a tree right next to me.

Eastern Phoebe at Wooton Wetlands Preserve.

Posted on July 13, 2013 by Hugh

Work and weather have conspired against me once again, but I did get out for a few hours over the last few days. The birding doldrums are on us, but here’s a few images that are passable.

This is Blackie, the abandoned cat we’ve adopted. She stays outdoors, but drops by for a daily meal.

These Beetles found a way to pass the time after yesterday’s rain.

Common Yellowthroat Warblers are still singing.

I see Cardinals very often.

I had ID’d this as a Monarch, but the experts tell me it’s a Viceroy.
Wikipeida:”The Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) is a North American butterfly with a range from the Northwest Territories along the eastern edges of the Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada mountains, southwards into central Mexico.
Its wings feature an orange and black pattern, and over most of its range it is a Müllerian mimic[1] with the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). The viceroy’s wingspan is between 53 and 81 mm.[2] It can be distinguished from the Monarch by its smaller size and the postmedian black line that runs across the veins on the hindwing.[2″

“The Eastern Phoebe is a small passerine bird. This tyrant flycatcher breeds in eastern North America, although its normal range does not include the southeastern coastal USA. It is migratory, wintering in the southernmost USA and Central America. “

The Spicebush Swallowtail is present most places I go.

This Great Blue Heron was unusually complacent, remaining in place even as a jogger went by.

There are many Yellow Breasted Chats at Wooton, but they seem to be more reclusive than at other places.

Painted Bunting on the WBA Trail.

Posted on July 7, 2013 by Hugh

The MD Birding Email List has reported the Painted Bunting several times, so I took a chance and drove to Glenn Dale to get a look. This bird is well North of his usual range, and is a nice find.
I stopped at Governor Bridge on the way home, but it was pretty quiet.

This House Finch was foraging high in the treetops.

This Tufted Titmouse repeatedly slammed the caterpillar against the branch before eating it.

A family of Red Bellied Woodpeckers was hanging out at this dead tree.

This remarkably colored Painted Bunting shouldn’t be much further North than North Carolina.

Cedar Waxwing at Wooton Wetlands preserve.

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Hugh

Between rain and work I’ve had a couple of slow days. I did get a few images, but nothing worthy of my fans.
Today I went early to Wooton in order to beat the heat and humidity. I found a few good birds in bad light, and a rare (For Me) Raccoon.

Grackles aren’t a favorite, but I liked this pose.

This Catbird must have been bathing.

I don’t see many Raccoons, especially in the daytime.

It’s been a while since I’ve photographed a Carolina Wren.

White Eyed Vireos are often very secretive, so I was glad to find this guy.

A small flock of Cedar Waxwings was feeding on these cherries.

This Green Heron and a pal were hanging out in a dead tree

This Belted Kingfisher is an example of a good bird in bad light.

Blue Gray Gnatcatchers were abundant today.

It was tough to get a good look at this Orchard Oriole.

Common Yellowthroat Warbler at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Hugh

The day looked iffy when I awoke, but the Sun was shining a little around 6:00, so I took a chance and headed out.
It wasn’t a spectacular day, but I found a few birds in good light.

I heard this Common Yellowthroat Warbler singing, and knew he was quite close, but it still took a few minutes to locate him.

This Western Tiger Swallowtail was feeding constantly.

This family of Canada Geese was swimming in one of the small ponds.

Cedar Waxwings are plentiful but they don’t always pose well.

This si the first female Ruby Throated Hummingbird I’ve photographed at Governor Bridge.

Eastern Phoebes continue to cooperate.

I was lucky to find this Robin framed in the foliage so well.

Indigo Bunting at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Hugh

It was the kind of day when staying home might have been the better option. I had hopes that the gray, cloudy skies might clear up, but it was not to be.
I quit early, but found a few decent birds and an interesting moth, in lousy light.

Indigo Buntings are easy to find.

I was surprised to find this Scarlet Tanager hanging out with a flock of Cedar Waxwings.

With better light, this Giant Moth might have made a good picture. My experts tell me it’s a Hummingbird Clearwing (hemaris thysbe).

This appears to be a first year Baltimore Oriole.

Orchard Oriole at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Hugh

Yes, back to Governor Bridge again. It’s quite close to home and has a great variety of habitat and birds. I’m highlighting the Orchard Oriole because it’s the best image of the lot, but some of the other shots were pleasing as well.

The Baltimore Oriole nest is located on an island in the large lake.

I seem to be finding an Eastern Phoebe on most visits.

I’m getting some better Ruby Throated Hummingbird images now.

I’m getting these Western Tiger Swallowtails while waiting for the hummingbirds.

This Prothonotary Warbler flew into the scene while I was looking for the Baltimore Oriole.

I’ve seen many Orchard Orioles, but this male provided my best images yet.

Indigo Buntings are still present in large numbers.

Red Eyed Vireos have been very cooperative lately.

First year Robins are plentiful.

I ran into Dan Potter and his mega-camera shortly after I arrived. There were many birders present today.

Brown Thrasher at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Hugh

Another late start. Gabrielle, my 17 year old Tabby, has been under the weather, so we took her to the vet for a check up. Nothing remarkable, just slowing down.
It was getting hot, and the humidity was noticeable by the time I got started. Even though I found a few nice birds, they weren’t terrible cooperative, but I’m showing what I got.

Sometimes it’s hard to find an Indigo Bunting who’s not singing.

The light was great, but this Brown Thrasher stayed partially hidden.

This Eastern Phoebe flew into a bush right in front of me.

I’m not sure I’ve seen this Dragonfly before.

I would like to have gotten a better image of this large, colorful Wasp.

In general, Yellow Breasted Chats are pretty secretive.

This female Red Bellied Woodpecker was foraging high in a dead tree.

Scarlet Tanager at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Hugh

I got a late start this morning, for no good reason at all, but I still managed to snap the first picture by 7:20.
I spent some more time trying for the hummingbird, with modest success, but the real highlight was a Scarlet Tanager, a bird that has eluded me for over a year.

It appeared that the male was feeding a young bird.

This pair of Indigo Buntings was foraging in the same tree as the Tanagers.

I’m getting a little better at capturing these Ruby Throated Hummingbirds in flight, but it’s difficult.

Even at rest it’s not easy to get these birds right.

The Common Yellowthroat likes the mimosa tree as much as the hummingbird does.

Yellow Breasted Chat at Greenbury Point.

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Hugh

I had a busy morning, with a doctor’s appointment and a computer repair, so I only had a short while to get out.
I arrived around 8:0 and was greeted by the sounds of the numerous Yellow Breasted Chats nesting in the area.
A couple of other birds showed up to make my abbreviated stay worthwhile.