This Great Blue Heron was one of the few visible birds at Truxtun Park.

This Osprey is eating his breakfast on top of one of the poles that hold the ball field lights.

There were many Western Tiger Swallowtails at Hillsmere Elementary. If I were a better blogger I’d find out what the flowers are.

Skippers are not as gaudy as butterflies.

This juvenile Bluebird is growing some new feathers.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is readily visible from Possum Point, and I frequently take a few shots.

This Great Blue Heron was fishing right at the point, and I frightened him off, but managed to get this quick shot.

A large flock of Starlings flew continuously over the Nature Center.

I see Double Crested Cormorants occasionally at Possum Point, but there were several fishing and flying over the last couple of days.

There’s something interesting in the way the Crow’s body shape matches the curve of the limb.

There were far fewer Purple Martins than yesterday, but I assume the others have begun the flight South.

This House Finch has found a very nice breakfast.

This Carolina Wren was singing a very (To me) peculiar song.

This very small (And, I assume, young) deer stayed in the area for over half an hour.

This shabby looking Cardinal must be molting.

The Goldfinches will be leaving soon also.

There were several Bluebird juveniles flying in and out of this nesting box, and it’s not much of a stretch to guess they were born there.

Eastern Kingbirds often sit very still, but if you wait long enough they’ll give you a decent pose.

There were far more Double Crested Cormorant s than usual at Possum Point, and these two were fishing successfully.

Seagulls, like this Black Backed Seagull always look remarkably graceful when flying.

This Osprey, and all his mates will be heading to South America soon. I’ve grown so used to them that I often pass them by, and I suspect I’ll miss them.

These are the first Purple Martins I’ve seen at Possum Point. They are gathering to migrate. Do they plan to stay on the sailboat?

There are is always a Chipping Sparrow to be found at t he Nature Center.

Eastern Kingbirds are easy to find, but I like the way this one posed.

There are many juvenile Bluebirds at the Nature Center.

This House Finch seems to be enjoying a break.

I was surprised to see that the Blue Gray Gnatcatcher chicks had flown and gone. This nest is less than 1.5″ in diameter.
From Cornell LAbs:
“Nest Description
Open cup with high walls, made of spider webbing or caterpillar silk, covered with lichens or bark flakes. Lined with grass stems, bark strips, plant down, hair, feathers, or other fine fibers. Placed far out from trunk on tree limbs.”
This nest is obviously an exception.

This male Monarch Butterfly was tough to track down.

It’s been several weeks since I’ve seen a Cedar Waxwing .

The Catbirds will be heading South soon.

This Bluebird, and several juveniles, were at the lake.

A flock of Canada Geese flew low over the lake.

This Deer was cooling off in the marsh.

I often pass up Mourning Doves because they are so common, but I liked the look of this one.

There are Dragonflies in every corner of the refuge.

I watched this Kingfisher for quite a while as she flew back and forth over Goose Pond. The water level was very low, and I fear he may have been wasting his time.

It was far too hot to chase butterflies, but this Western Tiger Swallowtail landed quite close and posed for a while.

This Blue Grosbeak was a surprise. He was deep in the little bush, and I thought I was photographing a Starling.

I’m unsure, but I think this is an Eastern Wood Peewee .

This female Orchard Oriole was hanging out by the boat dock, an area I haven’t explored much previously.

I saw this Belted Kingfisher from a distance, and got a couple of images, then moved closer through some moderately difficult terrain to get a better shot, and it paid off.

Ospreys are still pesent in large numbers, but all the chicks seem to have fledged and learned to fly, so they’ll be heading South before long. I’ll miss them.

There were several Black Swallowtails flitting from flower to flower, and plenty of light to shoot this at 1/1600.

I always want to say, “Handsome” when I post a picture of an Eastern Kingbird.

Parent and chicks seem to be doing fine.

I shot this Eastern Kingbird from a tripod at 1/1600. I wonder what it would take to stop the motion?

I almost always see Ospreys in flight or on a bare branch, so it’s a surprise to see one perched at the top of an evergreen.

I see Starlings most places I go, but the Nature Center has more than any other.
They actually make a loud “Whoosh” sound when the whole flock takes off together.

The trees in the ‘hood had quite a few birds, but they were far away and fast moving. This Titmouse cooperated briefly.

This Mockingbird was very active.

Flycatchers like this Eastern Kingbird are very active at this time of year.

This 4.5″ bird catches tiny insects on the wing. The long tail on the Blue Gray Gnatcatcher undoubtedly adds maneuverability.

I saw this Blue Gray Gnatcatcher several times, flying back and forth from the brush to a small tree before I realized she was feeding her young. The nest is an amazing construction, and exceedingly well camouflaged..

I walked down to the beach, through the marsh, just in time to catch this flight of Double Crested Cormorants. There were very few birds in the air.

This noble-looking Crow was overseeing the marsh.

I saw several Great Crested Flycatchers.

This Catbird perched right above my head and stayed awhile, unperturbed by my presence.

Another unknown but beautiful Dragonfly.

When all else fails, you can usually count on a Carolina Wren.

There are many butterflies at the Nature Center, including this Monarch.

The colors on this Black Swallowtail are starting to fade.

This dragonfly close up came out well.

An artist could probably do something with a shot like this.

This Eastern Kingbird was on the highest plant in the area, and pretty much ignored my presence.

This Eastern Wood Peewee was deep in a copse of small trees, and my lens is too slow too dig him out, so I finally remembered the camera has a flash. Not a great shot, but better than it would have been.

I saw this Indigo Bunting or a friend, all morning.

This Indigo Bunting and his mate (Above) followed me for quite some distance as I wandered through the orchard. I presume I was near their nest.

This is the first time I’ve seen an Orchard Oriole in an orchard.

I saw several juvenile Bluebirds, some of whom appeared to be playing tag.

This pair of Chipping Sparrows was very actively foraging in the tall grass.

Black Crow, gray day, dead tree. What’s not to like?

Mockingbirds are always willing to pose.

I believe this is a juvenile Starling.

This is the first deer (There were two of them) I’ve seen at Sandy Point. She looked to be pretty skinny.

It’s always a treat to hear a Carolina Wren.

The beaches are littered with Gulls.

Mockingbirds are thriving at Sandy Point.

It’s my understanding that the Chesapeake Bay is the largest Osprey breeding ground.

This appears to be a first year Great Black Backed Gull

This may be a Little Yellow, but I’m not sure.

This would make a good cover for a Gothic novel.

I watched this Great Blue Heron fish for a while, but he wasn’t having much luck.

This Cardinal needs to eat to finish molting.

I haven’t found an ID for this butterfly.