Eastern Bluebird at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on November 29, 2017 by Audubon

I don’t usually make long (ish) trips two days in a row, but that’s what I did this morning. Blackwater beckoned, and I answered.

It wasn’t exciting, but the Snow Geese have finally arrived and a Bluebird posed nicely.

The ducks are trickling in, and perhaps it will get more active close to home soon.

Blackwater Dawn.

Large flocks of Northern Pintails were very active.

This tree is a convenient perch for Bald Eagles on Wildlife Drive.

Several Great Blue Herons were quietly fishing.

There’s always Double Crested Cormorants at the dock on Key Wallace Drive.

There seem to be many more Mallards than usual.

I haven’t seen many Eastern Bluebirds at Blackwater.

Snowy Owl at Eastern Neck NWR.

Posted on November 28, 2017 by Audubon

A Snowy Owl was reported at Eastern Neck, so I gave it a try, with mixed results. My trip last year was a major disappointment, as I missed all the good birds.This year was better, but not a major success. The Owl was too far away, and there wasn’t the variety of birds I’d hoped to see.

Still, the hour and a half trip wasn’t a total loss, and I may try again before the season is over.

The marsh boardwalk.

A small flock of Ruddy Ducks was feeding near the bridge.

A few Black Ducks were foraging near the Tundra Swans.

Several American Wigeons were following the Tundra Swans.

I spooked this Great Blue Heron.

A juvenile Bald Eagle flew overhead.

A couple of dozen Tundra Swans were in the cove.

I found this Easter Bluebird at Possum Point yesterday.

That little white dot is a Snowy Owl. He stayed 300-400 yards away all morning.

Brown Pelican at Thomas Point State Park.

Posted on November 25, 2017 by Audubon

We had rain yesterday, so I only got out for a short time. Sandy Point was a waste of time, and I didn’t see much at Jonas Green Park, either.

I did OK at Quiet Waters, so I went back this morning. It’s very slow, but there’s a few good birds around if you’re willing to wait for the action.

I was undecided about going to Thomas Point because it’s still early in the season. I gave it a try and was rewarded with two Brown Pelicans who flew by as I arrived. A Loon and a Pileated Woodpecker made for a decent day.

Quiet Waters.

This Gadwall was at the pond across from Jonas Green. You can almost always find ducks there.

I was really drawn to the colors in the water surrounding these Mallards.

I saw this Pileated Woodpecker at a distance yesterday. When I heard him this afternoon, I was able to slowly sneak up on him.

I’m always pleased to find a Common Loon.

Buffleheads will be at Quiet Waters for quite while.

This Canada Goose was at Jonas Green.

My timing was perfect to find these Brown Pelicans. A couple of minutes later and I would have missed them.

Northern Pintail at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on November 23, 2017 by Audubon

I got to Blackwater in time for a quick dawn shot, but I missed the best colors by half an hour.

The few clouds dispersed quickly, and I had good light for most of the morning. Pintails are still plentiful, there are many more Shovelers, and Eagles were easy to find.

I made a stop at Oakley Street, but it’s still too early to find ducks in any quantity.

Blackwater Dawn.

Eagles were very active today.

There seem to be more Northern Pintails than in previous years.

The Northern Shoveler population is increasing.

Several Great Blue Herons were fishing in the marsh.

This is a juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker.

These Hooded mergansers took off soon after I spotted them.

I saw only a few Ruddy Ducks.

I found this juvenile Bald Eagle at Jonas Green Park yesterday.

This American Wigeon was the only duck at Oakley Street.

It took a while to get in the right position for a good look at this Delmarva Fox Squirrel.

Two Falcons and a Snow Goose at Bombay Hook NWR.

Posted on November 20, 2017 by Audubon

The weather man promised sunny, and he delivered. I got to Bombay Hook near dawn, and there were plenty of good birds just waiting to be photographed.

I was glad to see the usual suspects, Ducks, Avocets and Swans, but the Falcons and a single Snow Goose were the icing.

I imagine I’ll make a few more trips before the season is over.

The entrance to Bombay Hook.

This Great Blue Heron was the first bird I saw this morning.

Northern Shoveler numbers are increasing.

Many Black Ducks were feeding in the marsh.

Northern Pintails were well represented.

A large flock of American Avocets was present.

There were more female Green Winged Teals than females.

This Peregrine Falcon was a big surprise. Bombay Hook isn’t their usual habitat, and I haven’t seen very many.

Today’s second Falcon was this Merlin, another bird I don’t often see.

It seemed odd that only one Snow Goose was present.

Hooded Merganser at Buddy Attick Lake.

Posted on November 18, 2017 by Audubon

Birds are still scarce around here, and I’ve been hearing good things about Buddy Attick Lake, so I gave it a try this morning.

I started at Artemesia, which was unusually slow, then headed to Buddy Attick, which is only a few miles away, and wasn’t any better than Artemesia.

I did find a single Merganser, and a few birds at Artemesia, but it was a really slow day.

Lake Artemesia.

The reflection of the Fall colors really adds to this Ruddy Duck image.

Several Pied Billed Grebes were foraging in the middle of the lake.

This juvenile Tundra Swan has been hanging around Artemesia, solo, for several days.

There’s usually a flock of Ring-necked ducks in Winter.

The Fall colors complement the Mallard’s colors.

I knew this Hooded Merganser was going to spook when I got close enough, and I was ready for him.

Wood Duck at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on November 15, 2017 by Audubon

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

Things are definitely picking up, with many more ducks, more active eagles and a lot of sparrows.

Perfect light and a small flock of Wood Ducks made it a very good day.

Blackwater Dawn.

Northern Shovelers have returned, but not in large numbers.

Many Bald Eagles were hunting this morning. I saw 4 in the air at one time.

A female and first year male Wood Duck. The first I’ve seen at Blackwater.

A male Hooded Merganser.

I saw many, many Mallards.

Ruddy Ducks are still scarce.

A large flock of Northern Pintails was the largest I’ve ever seen.

Hundreds of Canada Geese were feeding in the marsh.

Groundhogs don’t often sit still long enough for a portrait.

Mute Swan at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on November 12, 2017 by Audubon

It was really cold this morning (21), so I wore my ski pants and carried my gloves. I’m not as indifferent to cold as I used to be.

Cold brings the ducks, however, and a juvenile Mute Swan. A very surprising, very late Osprey was a treat as well.

Lake Artemesia.

A large flock of Ring-necked Ducks was cruising the lake.

Prior to this, the latest I’ve seen Ospreys was October 31.

This Robin seemed to be enjoying the sunshine.

This is the first time I’ve seen a Mute Swan at Artemesia.

This young buck let me get very close, and even ignored a nearby dog.

Tundra Swan at Blackwater NWR.

Posted on November 10, 2017 by Audubon

Between the weather and a lack of birds, it’s been a while since I had anything to post.

I got to Blackwater yesterday, and it wasn’t spectacular, but it was good enough. It’s still that time of year when the winter ducks haven’t arrived in any numbers, and most of the migrants have gone.

I did find some Swans, and the Eagles are still abundant, so I do have a few images worthy of my audience.

Another try at the Truxtun Park bridge.

I found this Carolina Wren at Greenbury Point.

Good light and a few Autumn leaves make all the difference.

First Dark Eyed Junco of the year.

I found only a few Northern Pintails.

Great Blue Herons are still plentiful.

This Yellow Rumped Warbler was also at Greenbury Point.

I saw two Hooded Mergansers at Quiet Waters.

Two Black Ducks were feeding at Quiet Waters.

Tundra Swans are just arriving in numbers.

Northern Pintail at Backwater NWR.

Posted on October 31, 2017 by Audubon

I left early to get to Blackwater in time for sunrise, which wasn’t very interesting. I did get a few more shots at the dock on Key Wallace Drive, though.

It was a Bald Eagle kind of day. There were plenty of them, and they seemed less shy than usual, allowing me to get quite close a few times.

A few ducks have started to arrive, but the egrets and herons are far fewer.