Eagle, Hawks, Ducks and Geese...

Today I was very to surprised to come upon a Bald Eagle just ten minutes from my house.  What made it ironic is that I had just received a tip about an eagle feeding on a deer carcass and I was hurrying to that location when this one appeared...

He only allowed me to snap a couple of photos before he took wing...

 

Which is why you should always have your camera ready and close at hand when travelling through areas where wildlife might appear...

While on the subject of raptors I will share some photos of Red-tailed Hawks taken yesterday...

At another location I came upon a pair of Red-tailed Hawks in a distant tree and could only get these two photos before they departed...

I went by the Lilypon Water Gardens and saw these Great Blue Herons.  It looks like four of them are giving advice to the only industrious one that is building a nest...

There were also a good number of Canada Geese there, as usual...

This Chirping Sparrow was perched on a cattail...

While these American Wigeon were in a pond just out of reach of my lens...

After leaving the Lilypons I returned to a small stream close to home where I photographed this Wood Duck in  his colorful plumage...

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Eagles, Ducks and Bluebirds...

After yesterday's rain I was out before the sun this morning...

First, I went to the location of a Bald Eagle nest.  If you look closely you can see one of the adult birds head peaking over the edge of the nest...

I watched as the eagles took turns sitting on the nest and looking for food...

After leaving the eagles I came upon a Bluebird that was perched on a road side fence post...

After snapping the first photo, it flew to the next fence post and more favorable light...



Next, it hopped to a bush before flying off...

Then I came upon this beautiful Wood Duck...

Just a short distance upstream I found these Common Mergansers...

These Cananda Geese are winging their way North to their nesting grounds...

Thanks for visiting.





Birds, Birds, Birds...

I never intended for this to be a "birding blog" but lately it seems like birds are all that I can find to photograph.  I am grateful for their colorful presence and cheerful songs, especially when other wildlife seems so scarce. I was experimenting with the Audubon app on my iPod when I called this House Wren into camera range...

Next I tried a couple of Tufted Titmouse calls and this inquisitive fellow landed nearby...

He seems to be looking for that female that he hears singing so sweetly...

If she is not over here, maybe she is back there...

Not far from these sightings I came upon a Great Blue Heron...

I'm not sure if he is just scratching an itch or cleaning his ear...

At the Lilypons Water Gardens I photographed these American Wigeon...

These Mallards were found on a small stream..

Next, I went to a spot along the Monocacy River where I got to watch this Common Merganser demonstrate his take-off technique for his companions...

Not far from home I came upon this "Pale Phase" Red Shouldered Hawk...

Although Red Shouldered Hawks are fairly common, this is the first pale phase that I have seen...

While looking for more raptors I spotted this Red-tailed Hawk scanning a field for prey...

Another favorite raptor is the American Kestrel, also called the Sparrow Hawk...

While traveling near a sod farm I saw this uncommon sight...

We seldom encounter Sea Gulls so far from the coast...

This ancient stone building always captures my imagination whenever I go past it.  It is the remnants of the Greenfield Mill complex.  If only walls could talk...

Finally, here is a series of my favorite Screech Owl ducking back into his refuge...

Thanks so much for sharing my bird sightings.  Please stop back.