Canada Geese were present in small numbers.

I had just arrived on the main dock when this Bald Eagle flew into a tree on the shore.This is a young bird who hasn’t acquired his full adult coloration.He flew off before long to join his mate in a distant tree.

This American Kestrel was hunting in a nearby field, and I felt lucky to get this shot. He’s carrying something about the size of a mouse.

Like all the Hermit Thrushes I’ve seen, this bird was foraging on the forest floor.

Two Red Breasted Mergansers were hanging out near the pier, but waterbirds were generally scarce.

Most of the time you’ll find a White Breasted Nuthatch headed in the opposite direction.

This Great Blue Heron was nervous about my presence.

There were only a few Canada Geese in the water.

Ruddy Ducks were the predominant waterbrid.

It was nice to find this Surf Scoter at Thomas Point.

This Belted Kingfisher was doing more resting than fishing.

I didn’t get a good look at these ducks as they were so far away, so I was happy to see they are Ring Necked Ducks.

These Green Winged Teals were foraging in the marsh pond near the observation platform.
Cornell:
“A very small, brightly patterned duck, the Green-winged Teal prefers shallow ponds with lots of emergent vegetation. Along the coast, it prefers tidal creeks, mudflats, and marshes to more open water.”

The colorful drake gets all the press, so here’s a hen Northern Shoveller.

This dead tree is a favorite perch for Bald Eagles.

This Cooper’s Hawk was being pursued by a Crow.

The trick for getting images of these American Kestrels when they are perched seems to be to drive past them, then walk as close as you can.

I saw more American Coots than usual.

These two immature Bald Eagles are engaging in a mating ritual.

There are still a few Northern Pintails around.

The Great Blue Heron is a study in concentration when he’s fishing.

I didn’t see the second Great Blue Heron ’til I uploaded this pic.

This Cooper’s Hawk was waiting for me at the observation site.

Great Blue Herons are very common at Blackwater.

Red Winged Blackbirds were much more common than on previous visits..

I saw several pair of Hooded Mergansers, but they often fly away when they see you.

Blackwater was very quiet today, and this Downy Woodpecker was audible from a long way off.

There were more American Coots than usual.

This is the same American White Pelican who was present last week.

This Northern Pintail is the first I’ve seen.
Cornell:
“The Northern Pintail is among the earliest nesting ducks in North America, beginning shortly after ice-out in many northern areas.”

The Northern Shoveller is a weird looking duck.

This is the first Killdeer I’ve seen at Blackwater.

This Northern Harrier was hunting vigorously.

This Bald Eagle was soaking up the rays, and was in no hurry to move.

It’s very common to see an American Kestrel perched on the wires by the side of a country road, but they usually fly off if you stop for a photo op.
Cornell:
“North America’s littlest falcon, the American Kestrel packs a predator’s fierce intensity into its small body. It’s one of the most colorful of all raptors: the male’s slate-blue head and wings contrast elegantly with his rusty-red back and tail; the female has the same warm reddish on her wings, back, and tail. Hunting for insects and other small prey in open territory, kestrels perch on wires or poles, or hover facing into the wind, flapping and adjusting their long tails to stay in place. Kestrels are declining in parts of their range; you can help them by putting up nest boxes.”

When the Kestrel finally flew, this Red Tailed Hawk seemed to go after him.

A fellow birder pointed out this distant Common Merganser. It’s a first for me.

Bald Eagles engage in mock aerial combat as part of their mating ritual.

This immature Bald Eagle flew right over me and put on a great show.

I saw a Fox running across the parking lot when I arrived, so I was a little surprised to see a second one a few minutes later.

I’ve never seen two Red Shouldered Hawks in the same tree, so this may be some kind of mating behavior.

I saw more Blue Jays than any other species today.

Bluebirds were very active.

It’s hard to pass up a Bald Eagle.

This Tundra Swan was hanging out at Thomas Point.

There’s almost always a few Long Tailed Ducks at Thomas Point.

Three Tundra Swans were foraging in the cove at the NW corner of the park.

Lesser Scaup were present in small numbers.

I saw a few Long Tailed Duck hens, but no drakes.

Cornell:
“Cool Facts
Like most grebes, the small chicks of the Horned Grebe frequently ride on the backs of their swimming parents. The young ride between the wings on the parent’s back, and may even go underwater with them during dives.”

This Surf Scoter was kind of distant, but he’s a great bird I haven’t seen often.

The Common Goldeneye is a handsome bird.

Long Tailed Ducks continue to be regular visitors.

Canvasbacks are still present in large flocks.

This Red Breasted Merganser seemed to be by herself.

I heard this Pileated Woodpecker from a long way off, and it took a while to find him.

The drake flew off and left this Hooded Merganser hen.

Bright sunlight makes all the difference when photographing birds like this Northern Shoveler.

Northern Shovelers spend a lot of time with their heads underwater.

This Great Blue Heron remained motionless for at least half an hour.

A flock of Black Ducks was feeding in the marsh pond.

Hooded Mergansers were feeding in the pond as well.

I first saw this Bald Eagle at quite a distance.

This American White Pelican was a surprise, even though I had heard they were around. The staff thinks this one is staying around because he’s injured in some way.

I often see hawks at the entrance to the refuge. This Northern Harrier was very obliging.

This may be a Cooper’s Hawk. Update:It’s a Northern Harrier, a first
for me.

It appeared that he caught some prey in a nearby field.

These young Bald Eagles may have been practicing their mating ritual.

Shortly after I got this image, this Red Tailed Hawk was attacked by a Bald Eagle.

I’m working on an ID for this hawk. Update:Red Tailed

This is the first Ruddy Duck I’ve seen at Blackwater.