Bad weather and work are keeping from my appointed rounds, but I managed to get out for a few minutes this morning. I was looking for some baby beavers at the park, and, though I did get a quick look, no picture was possible.
This Cardinal and his mate were eating these berries even though they are not yet ripe.
This Red Winged Blackbird is munching on a Dragonfly.
I decided to give Wooton another chance this morning, and it turned out well. In most cases I walk the entire loop, but this morning I did well by staying on the lower part of the loop, near the ponds. I’m not at all sure what could have attacked a Wood Duck (Snapping Turtle?) but there was a lot of drama involved, as well as loud honking and splashing water. I also saw a Great Egret and a tiny fawn, who didn’t stay long enough for a picture.
This Wood Duck may have been lucky to escape her mysterious attacker. (The consensus opinion is that it was a Snapping Turtle.)
Blue Gray Gnatcatchers don’t often pause while they’re feeding.
This Ruby Throated Hummingbird is still hanging out at the same perch between feedings.
This Prothonotary Warbler appears to have a nest out in the pond.
This Great Crested Flycatcher flew into the scene while I was photographing another bird.
You can hear the song of the Yellow Breasted Chat everywhere you go at Wooton, but getting them into the open isn’t always easy.
This juvenile Orchard Oriole may be practicing his mating song.
This Common Yellowthroat Warbler was the first bird I saw this morning.
Work and weather have kept me doing much birding the last two days, but I did get back to Wooton this morning and found a few birds. The weather couldn’t have been better, but the variety of birds was lacking.
This Ruby Throated Hummingbird keeps returning to the same perch after feeding, making him easy to find.
I believe this is a Silver-bordered Fritillary .
This Catbird was nearby and singing loudly, but it still took me several minutes to locate him deep in a small tree.
Not a great shot of this White Eyed Vireo, who didn’t stay long in one place.
This Cedar Waxwing was feeding by himself.
Dan P. and I had arranged to meet at Governor Bridge on this beautiful morning, and we got started about 6:30.
While there wasn’t a great variety of birds, we got a few nice pictures.
Northern Parulas are easy to find at Governor Bridge.
We followed this Common Yellowthroat for quite a while before he posed.
The spectacular Great Crested Flycatcher has always been a favorite of mine.
Once again I wasn’t sure where to go, so I waited ’til I was on the road and settled for Lake Artemesia. Maybe I could have done better. I did get a few decent images, but not the variety I’m looking for.
This Carolina Wren has a tasty morsel in his beak.
Orchard Orioles are thriving at the Lake.
This Robin has found a bountiful bush of berries.
Goldfinches travel about in small flocks.
It was a good day to be a Turtle.
This Great Blue Heron was resting on a lopsided Osprey platform.
This Canada Goose family was out for an early morning swim.
I got out for a while yesterday, but had a very slow day, so I didn’t post anything. Today, I went to the Eastern Shore and did better, but I’m not getting the birds I want. The turtles, rabbits and deer cooperated, but not much else.
This Robin landed quite close to me.
This Cardinal has found a nice stash of berries.
This Goldfinch and his mate were foraging on the ground.
I often pass by Cowbirds, but it was a slow day.
I don’t usually see Cedar Waxwings in pine trees.
This Tree Swallow has brought a nice meal for his babies.
I found two Snapping Turtles laying eggs.
I saw at least 25 Rabbits today.
The Chesapeake Bay is a prolific breeding ground for Ospreys.
This snake seemed to be looking for a meal.
These Wood Ducks are resting on top of their nesting box.
These Deer were not very timid.
This Great Blue Heron was very intent on his fishing.
The weather looked dreadful this morning, but there appeared to be enough time and light for a quick look-see, so I went to Truxtun to see what I could find. A pair of Beavers provided a little amusement, and I saw my first Cedar Waxwing at Truxtun, but the rain began soon thereafter.
I watched these Beavers gnaw down some foliage and return to their den.
This Red Eyed Vireo was one of the few active birds in the park.
It’s not hard to find a Cedar Waxwing, but this is the first one I’ve seen at Truxtun.
If every day had light like today! If I had any sense, I’d stay home when the clouds and/or fog were too much. Anyway, the light gods were with me today, and a few nice birds cooperated with Dan P. and myself.
Blue Gray Gnatcatchers are also nesting.
OK, it’s a lot of Cedar Waxwings. but they were everywhere! In the group of three, they were passing a single berry back and forth to each other. They did this several times.
I’m annoyed he’s backlit, but it’s my first Ruby Throated Hummingbird of the year.
The Northern Parula is a handsome warbler.
This Indigo Bunting stayed around long enough for some good pictures.
I couldn’t get any closer to this Orchard Oriole, but he’s here for the record.
Common Yellowthroats are somewhat elusive at Wooton.
I don’t recall capturing two Red Eyed Vireos in one image before.
This Great Blue Heron flew overhead early in the day.
Amid work, rain and high winds, I haven’t had much luck in the last few days. A trip to Wooton was rained out after an hour or so, and yesterday’s high winds discouraged any trips.
I got to Greenbury Point and Truxtun Park today, and, while it was better, I’m not seeing as much variety as I’d like.
Although we found a few nice birds at Wooton, only this Prairie Warbler was willing to pose.
This apparent Cooper’s Hawk was at Truxtun.
This Osprey is probably nesting at Truxtun.
I knew I was looking at something different as soon as I saw this Peregrine Falcon. He appears to be carrying a Barn swallow. Very exciting for me, as it’s my first Peregrine.
This Great Blue Heron was fishing at Truxtun.
Just like last year, Greenbury is loaded with Yellow Breasted Chats.
This Cardinal was hanging out with the Chats.
The Brown Headed Cowbird is no one’s favorite, but he’s not bad looking.
Eastern Kingbirds aren’t very abundant yet.
After several slow days I decided to go back to Artemesia and see if my luck continued. It wasn’t as good, but it was an improvement over my recent forays.
The male Yellow Warbler has completed the nest and is now feeding his mate, who appears to be brooding the eggs.
This brightly colored Turtle seems to be used to people passing by.
Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows fill the air above the lake.
This Pied Billed Grebe is in breeding plumage.
I don’t often see Barn Swallows at rest.
Cedar Waxwings roam the park constantly.
I’m more used to seeing a Spotted Sandpiper in a marsh than at a lake.
These Canada Goose goslings are completely unafraid of humans.
This Mallard was taking her ducklings out to breakfast.
There are many Orchard Orioles at the lake.