It started out going to be a normal mid-morning Monday. By the time I gathered up the binocs and camera to head down to Grifton to do some birdwatching, I realized it might all be for naught. Most of the birds feeding in the tiny swamp there might have already finished their breakfast. However, I surely NEVER considered I would have an encounter of mating hawks as I prepped for … [Read more...] about “Mating Monday” for Red-Shouldered Hawks
Waxwings? Three Feet from the Truck?
Waxwings! Only three feet from the truck! Early one late spring morning, I rolled out of bed, got dressed and headed down to my local creek. Getting down there as the sun comes up or even just after it rises has always proved to be a perfect time to catch the birds that live there out feeding! Great weather assured the parking lot was packed down at the wildlife boat … [Read more...] about Waxwings? Three Feet from the Truck?
Green Herons, Comedians of the Water
They are beautiful, fast, and the HANDS DOWN Green Herons are the comedians of the heron species. Their spastic moves are FAR from graceful, and the goofy sounds they make just further adds to the entertainment value they offer you. Generally speaking, when paddling or boating up a creek, cast your gaze to the downed trees in the water and at the shoreline. (I was … [Read more...] about Green Herons, Comedians of the Water
“B” is for Bryozoan on Broad Creek? Not “Bird?”
You learn something every time you go birding. Most of the time, you see a new bird, NOT a "Bryozoan!" Since every birding adventure yields some kind of surprise, that's where you need to have a small pad of paper and pen with you. It helps to record your location, date, a rough sketch of what you see, or details of importance about your find. Up the Creek WITH a … [Read more...] about “B” is for Bryozoan on Broad Creek? Not “Bird?”
Nalgene Bottles, Skinks and Pulpits!
We were excited and ready to begin the morning on an easy trail, since it was the first hike for either of us this spring. Before we arrived at the state park, we found a reptilian friend in the middle of the road. As can be seen by the below photo, we had to make sure it was safely across the busy road! This was going to be my first spring birding trip in that part of … [Read more...] about Nalgene Bottles, Skinks and Pulpits!