Snow at Blackwater NWR
Yesterday’s Winter Storm Diego that plummeted the southeast was forecast to miss us entirely but took a bit further north path and caught us for a dusting of our first snow of the season, receiving about two inches.
This morning I had just enough time to do one loop on the wildlife drive through Blackwater NWR to enjoy the results of the snow’s beauty.
Blackwater NWR
Blackwater NWR
Blackwater NWR
“Snow Gauge” 🙂
Blackwater NWR
Birds were definitely out and about foraging through the snow and icy waters.
Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron
Mallards walking on ice
American Coot with that red eye
Hooded Mergansers
Northern Shoveler (male)
Northern Shovelers
Northern Shovelers
Northern Shovelers
Northern Shovelers
Northern Shovelers
I noticed something darting across a snowy field and was surprised with two Killdeer.
Killdeer
Killdeer
Killdeer
The increasing winter Bald Eagle population is already noticeable. I saw many flying high in the sky, too far to photograph. But I luckily captured photos of two juveniles flying low enough.
Juvenile Bald Eagle
Juvenile Bald Eagle
Note the slight difference in coloring with these two juvenile Bald Eagles, both are approx. 2-years old
Becoming the usual more times than not at this time of year, there were a pair of Bald Eagles perched on the refuge’s Osprey cam platform.
I noticed one of Eagles was drenched and was lucky to capture a “shaking off”. Click on the first photo to watch the action in a slideshow.
Bald Eagles
And to top off my visit, another awaited migrant, the Tundra Swans, were in abundance. Some were rafting out on the waters, but most were foraging in a large marshy field.
Tundra Swan flock
Tundra Swan flock
Tundra Swan
Tundra Swan landing
Tundra Swans
It was great to see the new migratory arrivals for our winter season.
Autumn Turtles at Blackwater NWR
I came across the last of my turtle photos taken during two visits at Blackwater NWR from the end of October to the first week of November.
With our delay in Autumn, temperatures were still high enough, allowing the turtles to delay winter hibernation and continue to do what they do best……basking.
Eastern Painted Turtles
Our temperatures haven’t surpassed 50°F degrees much the past several weeks, so the turtles are now hibernating. They bury themselves in mud up to three feet deep, in water no more than seven feet deep.
Eastern Painted Turtle
For the first time in all the years I’ve been going to Blackwater NWR, I spotted a new-to-me turtle species, a pair of Red-bellied Cooters. They are the largest recorded basking turtle in the Chesapeake Bay region.
Red-bellied Cooters
Red-bellied Cooters are extremely shy and easily scared, so they are rare to sight up close. I felt lucky to see this pair on both visits on the same log perch.
Red-bellied Cooters
Both Eastern Painted Turtles and Red-bellied Cooters can live up to 40-50 years.
Eastern Painted Turtle
Canada Geese and Great Blue Heron Reflections
My last post featured a single Snow Goose that had arrived, mixed in with a flock of Canada Geese.
The Snow Goose rested on a mud flat the entire time I was there, but many of the Canada Geese were in the water, providing ample reflections.
Canada Geese reflections
Canada Geese reflections
Canada Geese reflections
To my surprise as I started to leave, a Great Blue Heron, who had been hiding in the tall grasses at the shoreline, began to head out to the geese.
Great Blue Heron slowly strutting into the scene
He finally settled into the middle to ensure he was included in the photo session. The Great Blue Heron couldn’t have settled more perfect for his reflection profile.
Great Blue Heron reflection
I left after that last photo and was back to my errands, feeling pretty good as you always do, stumbling upon wildlife when you least expect it.
And it’s a “plus” when you have your camera equipment with you….just in case.  🙂
Just One Snow Goose
While running an errand, I sighted a lone Snow Goose flying and land with a flock of Canada Geese on Papermill Pond off the Tred Avon River. Hmmmm…..
I got the errand out of the way and returned to find the Snow Goose and Canada Geese had settled in for some preening and rest.
Snow Goose and Canada Geese
It’s a bit early for us to start seeing Snow Geese around the Chesapeake Bay area; but when you start seeing the ‘firsts’, that usually means the rest aren’t too far behind.
Snow Goose and Canada Geese
Snow Goose “Yoga Stretch”
I am definitely looking forward to their winter visit and noise.
Snow Geese Take-Off – December 13, 2017
Once you experience this, you will never forget the noise you heard!
Female Bufflehead
I’ve recently had the pleasure of watching a visiting female Bufflehead from my balcony in the marina below. Unfortunately, it was cloudy; but I lucked out that she came closer towards me.
Female Bufflehead
She was quite busy, diving and feeding on aquatic invertebrates. (click on first image to start slideshow)
You can see how she spreads her tail and uses it to propel herself into the dive. Buffleheads are the smallest diving duck in North America.
(click on first image to start slideshow)
With her little blue beak, the female Bufflehead is an adorable beauty.
Female Bufflehead wing stretch
“Ahhhhh, that felt good!”
I was fortunate on obtaining many interesting captures with her reflections and water wakes.
Female Bufflehead
It is always a delight to have surprise visitors. I’ve seen her twice since, so I’m hoping I see her again on a day when the sun is shining.
Round We Go
Round & round we go,
Where we stop,
Nobody knows….
Processing photos from the past few months, in a few of my non-bird shots, I started seeing a trend of circles emerging in some of them.
So here’s a fun post for me to get to share some of my shots of “circles”.
Expired Dandelion
Raindrops at sunset
Love anything rusty. 😊
Well, not round in the shot, but we know it is….
Crab basket lid
Raindrops at sunset
The beginnings of the first snow of the season while visiting my daughter in little over a week ago (just missed us at home, whew!)
More raindrops at sunset
Bubble
Hope you didn’t get dizzy with all those circles! 😉
A Bald Eagle at Sunset
I hope everyone that celebrated had a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving holiday.
My previous post featured three phases of a sunset at Blackwater NWR. When I arrived to scout my set-up location, I spotted this lone Bald Eagle had already found his for the perfect viewing of that evening’s upcoming glorious display.
Bald Eagle
Same Bald Eagle at a different angle
I bet the sunset looked stunning from his perch!
Series: Take a Moment and Enjoy a Sunset
After yesterday’s heavy clouds and surprise sunset, today’s partly cloudy conditions looked promising for another display of glory.
I hopped into my car and cruised over to Blackwater NWR for a different perspective.
I share with you tonight’s sunset in the phasing of three photos.
Sunset over Blackwater NWR – November 20, 2018
I changed location on the wildlife drive…..
Sunset over Blackwater NWR – November 20, 2018
Sunset over Blackwater NWR – November 20, 2018
“There’s never one sunrise the same or one sunset the same.”
–Carlos Santana
More Of Autumn’s Splash of Color
Autumn’s splash of color has been slowly fizzling in our area. Here’s a few more favorites from my recent outings.
Tuckahoe Creek State Park
Easton Point Landing, Tred Avon River
Blackwater NWR
Cambridge Creek
Easton Point Landing, Tred Avon River
“Autumn is a second Spring when every leaf is a flower.”
–Albert Camus
Series: Take A Moment and Enjoy A Sunset
With today’s late afternoon clouds, I was hoping for a gorgeous sunset. Our area was gifted this beauty.
Sunset over Cambridge Creek – November 19, 2018
Another one two weeks ago…..
Sunset over Cambridge Creek – November 6, 2018
And a third one I forgot to share from September.
Sunset over Cambridge Creek – September 15, 2018
“Sunsets are so beautiful that they almost seem as if we were looking through the gates of Heaven.”
— John Lubbock
Bay Photos by Donna 