Common Goldeneye at Thomas Point.

Posted on January 8, 2017 by Hugh

It was really cold this morning, so I waited for sunrise before venturing out.

I went straight to Thomas Point in hopes of finding some ducks closer in to the point, and I got lucky.

There was a noisy juvenile Eagle at the point, and several small groups of ducks foraging close to the point. They stayed around for a while, moving in and out, and eventually took off to the South.

This juvenile Bald Eagle was very noisy.

A few Black Scoters were feeding alongside the Buffleheads.

A small flock of Buffleheads stayed nearby.

There was an unusual number of Common Goldeneye hens.

Long Tailed Duck at Thomas Point.

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Hugh

We had a little snow last night, so I left a bit later than usual.

Thomas Point had a few birds, but most were too far out for good images. I think it’s just a matter of staying long enough for them to move in closer.

I also stopped at Quiet Waters, which was slow, but provided a couple of images.

This Tundra Swan was along the entrance road.

This lone Bufflehead hen was also at Quiet Waters.

This Great Blue Heron was surrounded by Mallards.

These Hooded Mergansers were at Quiet Waters.

This Long Tailed Duck was just close enough.

Surf Scoter at Thomas Point.

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Hugh

The Sandy Point sunrise was better than usual this morning. I didn’t see much in the way of good birds, so I set out early for Thomas Point.

It was good to see the point looking a lot more active. Hundreds of various ducks were there, and many were close enough for decent pics. I’m sure I’ll go back soon.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

I haven’t seen Surf Scoters in quite a while.

Two Tundra Swans flew over the point.

These appear to be White Winged Scoters.

A few Lesser Scaup flew off shortly after I arrived.

Buffleheads were very active.

I only saw one Long Tailed Duck.

I wish the Common Goldeneyes had been a little closer.

Snow Geese at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Hugh

There’s still not much to see around here, so I went back to Blackwater this morning.

The fog was serious, but the weatherman said it was going to clear, and he was right, but it took a long time.

Birds were relatively scarce this morning, and the light was awful, but I did what I could.

Hooded Mergansers remain very skittish.

Bald Eagles weren’t as plentiful as usual.

There were more Northern Shovelers than usual.

Why are these American White Pelicans always in the same spot?

A few Tundra Swans were feeding in the marsh.

Large flocks of Snow Goose flew over the marsh.

American Coot at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on December 31, 2016 by Hugh

I went to Artemesia this morning to see if anything new has arrived, and I was out of luck. The Trumpeter Swan is still around, and a few other ducks, but not a lot of variety.

I also stopped at Buddy Attick afterward, but it continues to disappoint.

Lake Artemesia at dawn.

The Trumpeter Swan draws a big audience.

It’s been a while since I posted a Carolina Wren

This is one of the rare days I could get decent look at the Hooded Mergansers.

Canada Geese were arriving all morning.

Ring Necked Ducks are still plentiful.

There were many American Coots at the lake today.

Northern Shoveler at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on December 30, 2016 by Hugh

I was undecided as to where to go yet again. I hate going places where there’s nothing to shoot, and I’m not crazy about driving long distances. Something to shoot won out, so I headed to Blackwater, which is about an hour and a half drive.

It wasn’t really great, but it was good enough. There wasn’t the variety I’ve come to expect at this time of year, but a quick stop at Oakley Street made up for it. The locals feed the ducks there, and you can usually find a good variety of birds, fairly close to shore.

I haven’t seen many Scaup this year.

I saw fewer Bald Eagles than usual.

I don’t often see Downy Woodpeckers at Blackwater.

A lone Bufflehead was feeding with the geese.

This Great Blue Heron was the first bird I saw.

Many Canvasbacks were eagerly waiting for a meal.

Only a few Redheads were present.

The Hooded Mergansers were very skittish.

There are still more Mallards than any other type of duck.

There were only a few Northern Shovelers.

Song Sparrow at Thomas Point.

Posted on December 28, 2016 by Hugh

I was at a loss as to where to go this morning, so I went with Sandy Point in hopes of a good sunrise. It was not to be. I got a few birds and a half ass sunrise , then went to Thomas Point.

The Thomas Point birds seem to be staying further out this year, so it’s tough to get good photos.

Dawn at Sandy Point.

Canvasbacks can be sound along Thomas Point Road.

Tundra Swans will be around all winter.

This Ring Billed Gull has found some kind of shellfish.

Seagull silhouette.

These Bufflehead were waiting for the Sun to rise.

I heard a tap, tap, tapping-and when I turned around, this Song Sparrow was pecking at his reflection on the hood of my car.

Delmarva Fox Squirrel at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on December 27, 2016 by Hugh

With everything closed on Tuesday, and commuter traffic heading West. I went East to Blackwater.

It was actually pretty good, but ducks are in short supply. Eagles and squirrels made up for it.

Thousands of Snow Geese were leaving as I arrived.

I liked this Great Blue Heron’s pose.

Bald Eagles were abundant, as usual.

Many Tundra Swans were in residence.

Appearance: The Delmarva fox squirrel has a steel or whitish gray body and a white belly. It has short, thick, rounded ears. Its full, fluffy tail has black edgings and can grow to 15 inches long. The fox squirrel can grow to 30 inches in length and weigh up to 3 pounds. Habitat: Prefers quiet wooded areas, especially mature loblolly pine and hardwood forests with an open understory. Also found in woodlots near farm fields and groves of trees near water. Spends a considerable amount of time on the ground, rather than in trees like the common gray squirrel. Range: Found only in small isolated populations on the Delmarva Peninsula, mostly in Kent, Dorchester, Talbot and Queen Anne’s counties in Maryland. Biologists have moved some squirrels to other parts of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia to help develop populations there. Historic range extended as far north as southern New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania.

Common Goldeneye at Thomas Point.

Posted on December 26, 2016 by Hugh

I managed only a short trip to Thomas Point on this gray morning as I had work to do. A Common Eider was seen there a couple of days ago, so there were several birders looking hard, but it hadn’t been found when I left.

The good news is that there was a good variety of species, so it may be a better year than last year.

Two Common Loons flew by as I waited.

Buffleheads continue to be the most common duck at the point.

Two Red Breasted Mergansers were feeding near shore.

A flock of Common Goldeneyes was actively feeding.

Redhead at Buddy Attick Park.

Posted on December 25, 2016 by Hugh

The weatherman promised a sunny day, and he delivered, for a change. The local parks are closed for Christmas, so I headed to College Park to check out the ducks.
Oddly, there were very few, but the Trumpeter Swan was very cooperative.
I decided to try Buddy Attick, which hasn’t been good to me recently, and I found a few good, albeit distant, ducks.