Bay Photos by Donna

I cannot believe it’s been over a month since my last post; it was not intended.  Too many ups and downs and turn-arounds….

To try to get back in the swing of things, a much-needed fix with nature was back on the agenda.  It finally happened a week ago on a warm, breezy late afternoon at Blackwater NWR.

On arrival, I was immediately rewarded with a small group of warblers, busily foraging the bushes for berries along the wildlife drive near the Marsh Edge Trail.

Yellow-rumped Warblers

 

Pine Warblers

 

Another little guy flew up to a snag and perched.

White-breasted Nuthatch

 

Many of the residents were soaking up the last of the afternoon’s warm sun rays.

Forster’s Terns

 

Northern Water Snake

 

Great Blue Heron

 

Delmarva Fox Squirrel

 

Another Great Blue Heron
(who became an obliging photo subject when I passed him two more times)

 

He allowed me to get a bit closer for a brief moment.

 

Here he is again about an hour later at the same perch.

 

There were a lot of Mallard ducks arriving to the marshes for the evening.

A male (top) and two female Mallards.

 

Mallard Ducks

 

Coming upon three Ruddy Ducks was exciting; the winter waterfowl migrants are beginning to arrive!

Ruddy Ducks

 

On a favorite tree perch, this Bald Eagle allowed me one photo before quickly taking flight.

Bald Eagle

 

I watched him as he flew over to the refuge’s Osprey platform set up with a live-stream camera that I had already passed.

Bald Eagle on an Osprey platform set up with a live-stream camera

 

As the sun began to set, I quickly did one more lap on the wildlife drive.  The Bald Eagle was still perched on the Osprey platform, bathed in a golden glow.

Bald Eagle

 

Others were watching the sun’s descent as well.

Mallard Ducks

 

Belted Kingfisher

 

My Great Blue Heron buddy again

 

Bald Eagles
(the breeze is fluffing up their chest feathers)

 

It was a short and sweet visit, and it was most refreshing.  Now to find time to do it again!  🙂