It Is Said That "Good Things Come to Those Who Wait"

 If that old saying, included in the title of this post, is true I hope you find this update worth waiting for.  

We made a big change this year when we sold our 22-year-old motor home...

We crossed the country several times using this coach, but miles and age finally combined to convince us that a change was in order. Our new camping rig is a 2021 travel trailer that is roughly half the size of the motor home...

We took our first trip recently to Assateague and Pocomoke State Parks on the eastern shore of Maryland. I won't bore you with a narrative about the camping aspect of our trip.  

While at Assateague we did hear our first Chuck-wills-widow (sounds a bit like a Whip-poor-will).  I also managed to photograph my first Little Blue Heron and Willet...

We observed several egrets at the Assateague National Park...

A lone Blue Grosbeak allowed me to capture a single image...

I managed a photo of two of the famous Assateague wild ponies...

And a Cottontail Rabbit sneaking into the marsh...

I am sorry to say that the numerous warblers that we heard and saw at Pocomoke were all camera shy.  A single Brown Headed Cowbird, which almost eluded being photographed by staying in the deep shadows, was the only bird photograph that I captured while there...

Meanwhile, our yard was attracting a fair number of birds including at least one pair of Eastern Towhees...

Catbirds seem to be in great supply this year. There are several competing for insects and suet in our yard...

For some unknown reason the number of Goldfinches visiting us has decreased markedly...

House Finches are as numerous as ever...                                               

At least one pair of Brown Thrashers have returned...

Cardinals have been a constant presence since we moved here...

There are several Eastern Bluebirds visiting us every day...

Carolina Wrens cheerfully greet each new morning...

 While House Wrens compete for food and nest material...

White-breasted Nuthatches are attracted to the sunflower seed feeder...

Both Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers stop by to sample the buffet...

A number of Blue Jays frequent the yard...

We often have Brown-headed Cowbirds...

Sometimes she just doesn't want to share...

Flocks of Starlings pass through...

Luckily they don't linger for too long...

There is a route that I like to drive, not far from where we live. The road follows a couple of small streams...

Meanwhile, a Killdeer family has produced a new generation...

Driving rural roads is a great way to see Horned Larks...

Northern Flickers are year round residents in our area...

Red-bellied Woodpeckers also are common throughout the year...

Wood Thrushes have arrived for the breeding season...

The Carolina Chickadee is found in forests and yards...

American Robins are widely distributed from coast to coast...

This Mourning Dove is fluffed up against the morning chill...

We get many Grackles in our yard...

The occasional Red-winged Blackbird arrives each spring...

Two juvenile Bald Eagles were watching a farmers field...

As is often the case with raptors, there was a pesky Raven waiting to make life miserable...

The raven even followed one eagle to its perch for a prolonged stare-down...

I'm not sure if the eagles expression is a reflection of its opinion of the raven, or if it is just regurgitating an undigestible pellet...

This part of Frederick County provides a variety of habitat for wildlife...

This Eastern Kingbird was watching for flying insects...

In the same location this Eastern Phoebe was also looking for insects...

Another common visitor to the area is the Eastern Wood Peewee...

A year-round resident in these parts is the Yellow-rumped Warbler...

I spotted this pair of Common Yellowthroat Warblers nearby...

Two species that I found in late January were the Ruby-crowned Kinglet...

And the Golden-crowned Kinglet...

When agitated, both species can make their crests stand erect for a dramatic effect...

Mid February provided this sighting of an Eastern Meadow Lark...

Early to mid-winter is a popular time for deer hunting...

Hunting season means that there will be a bounty of discarded organs and intestines for scavengers...

On cold mornings, one might find a group of vultures with wings out-stretched, waiting for the sun to warm  them up...

Another species that is often seen in flocks is the Cedar Waxwing...

I photographed this group on a volatile weather day in April, as one can see by the changing sky...

Using a telephoto lens that extends to 600 mm makes it possible to see each bird in greater detail...

An unexpected snowfall in early spring provided a pleasant contrast...

Many folks think of certain birds as "snow birds" such as the Tufted Titmouse...

And the Dark-eyed Junco...

One yard visitor that we enjoy seeing is the Wild Turkey...

I saw this American Crow with some type of animal fur, probably to line a nest...

I saw our first hummingbird of the year buzzing the blossoms in the yard. It was a brief fly-by. Hopefully, it will return with some friends...

Just a few days ago we found the biggest surprise yet since we moved here almost 28 years ago. Our bird feeders had been pulled down and emptied over night...

A quick check of the trail cameras monitoring our backyard provided a single, poor quality image of the culprit...

For years there have been reports of bear activity in our area. Now we know just how close to home they might be.

Thanks for visiting, be well, and come back soon.