Blackwater NWR January Birds – Part 1
I recently shared the Bald Eagles, Tundra Swans, and American White Pelicans separately at Blackwater NWR, located in Cambridge, Maryland.
Here’s the first of two parts of the other birds I captured at the refuge last month (January). Since the refuge in the winter is all about the waterfowl and surprise shorebirds that come and go, this part will be those species I saw.
Mallards on a frosty stroll when I arrived
Northern Pintails
Northern Pintail
Northern Pintails
Greater Yellowlegs
Long-billed Dowitchers
Dunlins
Great Black-backed Gull
American Herring Gulls
American Herring Gull with a crab
Part 2 next!
Bay Photos by Donna 
Mallards have always been my favorite ducks.
Mallards are indeed a pretty duck, I loved this pair just strolling along that morning!
Actually, one of my favorite birds, along with hummingbirds of any variety, sparrows, crows and ravens. Being plentiful doesn’t mean, to me, they aren’t valuable. Have a great day.
Very nice series. I think the last two photos are really exceptional
Thank you, David! I always shied away with gulls, but in time, I’ve gotten better at IDing them, their juvenile plumages are all over the place.
Great photos Donna. I especially love the photo of the northern pintails in flight and the last one of the gull with a crab!
Thank you, Sue! As cold as it is, that gull was real lucky with finding that crab! There was a group surrounding him, wanting to take it but he didn’t give in.
Fabulous photos as always Donna
Thank you, Sheree!
You’re very welcome
Beautiful!
Thank you, Pepper!
Loved the Great Black-backed Gull on the clump of earth. And the American Herring Gull with its catch. It looks so cold up there!
Thank you, Barbara! I’m getting into gulls more and more, learning IDing, boy they are hard with all the juvenile plumages! It is cold here, right now my house is shaking in 35 mph continuous winds, a bit scary, praying for the winds to die down.
Excellent sightings, Donna. A bit like a treasure hunt, I imagine!
Thank you, Eliza! Birding is like treasure hunting!!
My favourite image is of the mallards walking on ice but all of the photos are wonderful. Nice sightings.
Thank you, Suzanne! I thought too the Mallards were delightful.
It is good to see the birds/ ducks so comfortable in the cold. The photograph are so special as always.
Thank you, Sandy!
What a beautiful set, Donna! I particularly like the mallards taking a stroll and the herring gull with its prize 👏
Thank you, Belinda!
A good selection as usual. Thank you.
Tom, thank you!
This is a nice collection of waterfowl Donna – I like those Northern Pintails. I’ve never seen those ducks before around here and we only have the Ring-billed Gulls. How lucky you got this Herring Gull munching a crab!
Thank you, Linda! Those pintail are indeed handsome, the refuge gets hundreds of them every winter. That Herring Gull was teasing me with that crab, he knows I’m ready for summer crabs! 😉
You are lucky to see them Donna. You’ll be looking for him once Summer arrives (if it does). 🙂
a lovely showcase of waterbirds Donna. Your duck species are so much more attractive than ours.
Thank you, Ashley! We do get beautiful ducks in the winter, I’ll be sharing a post on other ducks soon. 🙂
A birder I met while on our “winter migration” asked my what I considered the prettiest duck was…odd question – maybe it was a test of my birding knowledge ha. Anyway, immediately said the Pintail as I find their crisp color change lines and complementing color palette gorgeous. They are also pretty unassuming compared to the rest of the egos on the pond. I guess I passed his scrutiny – looking at your shots, still think I am dead on (although I will give a nod to the Wood Duck, but don’t tell anyone hehehe).
I’ve always thought too, the pintails are so handsome, like a sharp-dressed man, a little ZZ Top in my brain ha! All that neutral contrasting and then add the blue bill. Stunning duck! I hear ya on the Wood Duck too. Also the Harlequin’s pretty pretty!!.
You saw some great ducks and other shorebirds. The Gull with the crab is a great catch for you both!!
Thank you, Deborah! The gull kept playing with the crab so I kept clicking! I’m tickled with the shot!
😊
I love the photograph of the ice skating mallard couple. The frost is beautiful accenting the photo even more.
The American Herring Gull standing on the tallest post gave me giggles.
I read all three parts in reverse order. A lovely January birding adventure. Cold colder coldest!
Just that one morning, we had heavy frost so I was delighted to get to the refuge with it there. I couldn’t believe it melted within minutes it seemed as the sun was rising. So the Mallards were my only frost shots as I moved along and saw the frost disappear.
You are south enough to get pintails in this season! They are among our most elegant winter ducks.
Indeed, they are such a smart-looking, handsome duck, and so elegant! And that tail!