The storm has finally broken and a pre-dawn departure off to Sandy Point Park in hopes of a glorious sunrise. Alas, the cloud cover was so dense, the sunrise was a non-event.
Continuing down the road, I met up with a few fellow birders at Patuxent River Park – Wooton’s Landing in hopes to find some more migrating warblers.
Rounding the bend, we came across a large flock of Yellow Rumped Warblers. Standing and enjoying their flighty beauty, they quickly became accustomed to our presence. Dive bombing past us, one even almost flew straight into my 500mm lens hood!
The lighting was less than ideal early in the morning. But did I think to unpack my newly purchased Canon 580x flash unit? Nope ! Perhaps next birding field trip I’ll remember it.
Either way, we were able to enjoy a number of woodpeckers including Red Belly, Downy, and this ‘lifer’ Yellow Bellied Sapsucker.
All around me, I’ve been hearing people say about all the kinglets they’ve seen. Do I get to see one? Nope !! Somehow the kinglets have been hiding from me. But at least one made a brief appearance this morning for his snapshot. He wasn’t seen afterward.
Ruby Crowned Kinglet
There’s been a fellow birding photographer that’s been bragging about getting two types of birds in one image. Well, two can play that game!
At least this Chipping Sparrow was enjoying the rain puddle after the sun warmed the ground.
My annual trip to the Shenandoah Mountains has been cancelled. No thanks to our stupid politicians and their inability to meet halfway. All of the National Parks remain closed except for a few states that are now using state funds to keep the National Parks open. So no mountain climbing, boulder scrambling, or getting close to deer at Big Meadows is in store for me.
In order to get my mountain fix, I’m heading off to Catoctin Mountains tomorrow. It will be to be a fun fall field trip day.
Can’t wait to share my adventures with you when I return. Bella
Categories: 2013 Project 365, Birds, Nature
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
AWH the little birdie getting a bath! TO CUTE!!!
Isn’t he adorable? I had to stay and watch.
What a great pity that you’ve had to postpone your trip, Emily. Lovely tweety pics. Enjoy your Catoctin Mountains adventure. 🙂
Our country is in such a mess right now. It truly is a sad state of affairs. And living so close to DC we really get the impact.
Tomorrow is going to be a blast ! I’m excited and all camera gear is packed.
First – absolutely love the Chipping Sparrow shot. Awesome.
Second – I’ve had some good luck with some Ruby Crowned Kinglets and a variety of migrating Warblers at Davidsonville Park off of Patuxent River Road just north of Central Avenue. Go to the back of the park, past the ball fields, and take the path down the hill and to the right behind the pond. I’ve seen the Ruby Crowned Kinglets, Yellowthroats, Marsh Wrens, and Eastern Towhees in the brush between the path and the pond. And I’ve seen a fair variety of Warblers going back and forth from the saplings along the path to the bigger trees behind them: Prothonotary Warblers, Black and Whites, Black Throated Green Warblers, Magnolias… among others. Best luck there in the morning. Also have had some good luck at Watkins Park along Central Avenue not too far outside the Beltway. Good luck with what you find!!
Wow, thank you so much for the tips. I’ve seen Davidsonville Park and wondered about it. But passed because of all the ball fields. Will definitely add that to ‘must visit’ list within the week.
Beautiful captures! specially love the perfect splashes 😉
Hey Andy ! Great seeing you. 🙂 Thanks for the great comment.
🙂
Lovely birds. Sorry for the political situation. In Norway all the national parks are always open. No fees, no fences, and no roads going there…
You are so fortunate Bente. Here the parks are so over policed. Don’t even dare to park where it isn’t specifically designated parking. The Parking Park Police show up out of nowhere and nearly kick you out for breaking the rules. 🙂
Perfect…..love that little chipping sparrow surrounded by beautiful bokeh!! No canoeing in our state parks….bummer!!!
Really ? That is such a shame. I went by a National Park yesterday and even all the side trails were banded off so you couldn’t use them. It’s so sad.
Thanks on the compliment on the chippy
Love the little guy playing in the puddle!
Isn’t he awesome? I could have watched him all day.
Great shots of the birdies! Have fun tomorrow, and bring back lots of photos!
I’m still trudging through them. Not a ton, but a variety of subjects. Discovered a really cool place that I never knew existed that I’ll be sharing.
I’m sorry to hear what is happening in US, Emily. Those tweeties are definitely priceless.
Thanks Perpetua. Are you back home yet? I bet your trip was incredible, and I can imagine the spirituality and rediscovering of self you had on your journey.
If politicians are there to serve the people, then they are failing BIG TIME! Isn’t it disgraceful? They should all be sacked for major incompetence. I bet in the meantime, they are all earning big bucks. Sickening.
I hope everything will go back to normal soon and that you’ll be able to enjoy your beautiful National Parks and all the fun that goes with them.
Beautiful photography, as always.
Thank you so much Fatima. You have no idea the absurdity and insanity that is happening on Capitol Hill. I’m really missing the parks.
Great group of cuties!
Thanks Phil! Only two more months to go and I’ll be done with Project 365. Can’t wait to slow down production a bit and begin enjoying other people’s work.