Two More “Reds” at Blackwater NWR
(Photos taken at Blackwater NWR, Cambridge, Maryland)
One of my last posts I shared a male Summer Tanager, a gorgeous red bird I photographed at BNWR.
I also captured two more “reds” while at the refuge I wanted to share.
Red #1 – One beauty with distinctive contrasting colors of red, black, and white is the Red-headed Woodpecker.
Red-headed Woodpecker
Both males and females look alike.
Red-headed Woodpecker
How nice that he/she gave a look my way!
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red #2 – Slowly cruisin’ further along the wildlife drive taking photos, we came around a corner, and happened upon a Red Fox walking along the drive, several hundred feet ahead of us.
Red Fox
The Red Fox kept walking so we kept a safe distance and slowly followed. To be honest, I don’t know if it was actually aware of us yet.
By now, the drive was crossing marshes on both sides. Coming up to a sharp road curve to the right, the Red Fox came to a stop (as did we), turned, and looked left across the water.
The Red Fox never looked our way. He has to know we’re sitting there a couple hundred feet away in our black SUV, doesn’t he?
“Wait, where am I? Something’s not right. Did I make a wrong turn?”
Not taking his eyes off looking across the water, he turned and started heading back towards us. I slipped back in the car and closed my door enough to not allow a noise, and we sat still while he walked right on past us and continued back down the drive where we had all just come from.
“Darn, now I gotta walk nonchalantly past this thing that was following me.
I just won’t look at it, and hopefully it will leave me alone.”
Before we had sighted the Red Fox, there was a side road to fields that connects to the wildlife drive, which is where he probably came from, accidentally turning right instead of left, and then finally realizing he was not where he thought or was supposed to be.
We enjoyed the encounter, especially me capturing these best shots to date of the gorgeous Red Fox.
Bella & Beau 2018: Are They Ready To Be Parents?
(Osprey nest location: Cambridge, Maryland, USA)
May 14, 2018
Bella & Beau have been stepping up the pace on strengthening the nest in preparation of hatchings.
Bella delivering a stick at sunset.
Bella working on the nesting cup materials surrounding the eggs.
Unfortunately, many more sticks are gathering on the dock below the nest, being knocked off the nest by accident.
Bella & Beau’s nest size on May 14, 2018.
The nest is still in need of major strengthening. At the writing of this post, I didn’t see many deliveries of sticks today. It seems, though, there’s been an increase for fish requests by Bella. She’s always asking. Young Beau is trying to do that job too.
Bella snatched the headless fish from Beau who had just arrived with it, she must have been very hungry. Beau immediately went to egg-duty.
Bella, in the meantime, takes off with her meal.
Yes, Bella was hungry, she begins eating while heading to a perch.
This past week I began noticing that while Beau was perched on the nearby sailboat masts, he began intently watching the water below him. Since then, Beau has tried his skill at fishing here in the creek also.
Beau’s thinking, “Is that a fish I see?”
Beau dives and comes back up with empty talons…..no luck that time.
Beau dives again…..and again has no luck.
Beau is diving for the strike. (terrible photo!)
Beau comes up after submersion.
Beau lifts and pulls himself up and out of the water. Did he succeed this time?
Beau scores a fish! He then took off with it to a perch to eat it. I never knew if he came back to share it with Bella.
The creek obviously isn’t the only place Beau is fishing, thank goodness, his scores are pretty small. I’m still seeing him coming from the river with fish.
Beau arrives with a headless fish, Bella grabs it, and begins eating while taking flight.
One more series of Beau bringing a fish to Bella. I will say, Bella isn’t very nice when she snatches the fish from Beau. Poor Beau, he’s trying.
Beau dropping in with another headless fish for Bella.
Bella snatches the fish from Beau.
Bella proceeds to leave and take flight to eat her meal elsewhere, leaving Beau to incubate the egg(s).
A funny series here, Beau had come back empty-handed on fishing the creek and flew up to the nest. He was saturated with water.
Beau returns to perch and dry off, after several attempts fishing in the creek. Bella throws several looks at Beau and I could hear her chirping a little under her breath.
Suddenly, Beau takes flight, I figured begrudgingly to go fish some more or go get a stick.
Wrong! Beau flew over and landed on a sailboat mast where he continued to air-dry himself. He ignored Bella’s louder chirping. Bella back at the nest didn’t seem to pleased.
And now we are entering the period of time for hatchings. The female Osprey usually lays a clutch of 2 to 4 eggs, about 3 days apart. The eggs will hatch in the same sequence as they were laid, in about 4 to 5 weeks time.
I calculated Bella’s first egg was laid on April 17. That would put hatching of her first egg to be around May 15-22.
I will be watching the nest for any changes in behavior by Bella & Beau to clue me an egg did indeed hatch. Hopefully, I will be able to photograph behavior changes and post in several days with updates on Bella & Beau.
Here’s a few final photos of some profile favorites and flight shots I’ve not yet shared I think you will enjoy.
Beautiful Osprey wings!
Beau in black & white.
I thought this was an unusual profile. It was a very chilly day. When Beau returned to the nest, he proceeded to sit on the nest as well. Was he trying to help keep the eggs warm?
Beau doing a fly-by on me.
A shot at sunset.
Beau warning a passing Osprey while Bella watches.
Oh, to let you know Canada Goose “Gus” is still around. He’s not sure what to do. One day he can swim all around the nest, another day Bella or Beau are swooping down at him. Neither Osprey has tried to really attack Gus, I have not seen any talons stretched out. I think they are just trying to scare him away. Not sure if he’s going to listen. He thinks he belongs in the creek too.
You should see a new post in several days with updates on Bella & Beau. Let’s hope they are ready to be parents!
(For all the posts on Bella & Beau’s 2018 season, you can click HERE.)
Delmarva Fox Squirrel
The Delmarva Fox Squirrel is one of ten recognized subspecies of fox squirrels. Once ranging throughout the Delaware, Maryland and Virginia peninsula, and in southern Pennsylvania, the Delmarva Fox Squirrel dwindled down to only small isolated populations in three counties along the Eastern Shore Maryland.
Delmarva Fox Squirrel, Blackwater NWR, Cambridge, Maryland
The Delmarva Fox Squirrel was listed as endangered in 1967 from loss of habitat due to development, timber harvesting, hunters, and predators such as foxes, weasels, and raptors.
After being listed as endangered, the Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel Recovery Team launched a reintroduction program and began coordinating state and federal efforts to restore and protect the species by moving some squirrels to other parts of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia to help develop populations there.
Delmarva Fox Squirrel, Blackwater NWR, Cambridge, Maryland
After a rigorous recovery plan and range expansion, the Delmarva Fox Squirrel was removed from the endangered list in November 2015. Today there are significant populations at Blackwater NWR and Chincoteague NWR. They are a very shy squirrel, so it is still a rarity to see one.
Delmarva Fox Squirrel, Blackwater NWR, Cambridge, Maryland
Like all fox squirrels, the Delmarva Fox Squirrel is a large squirrel that grows up to 30 inches long, including up to 15 inches of a full, fluffy tail.
Delmarva Fox Squirrel, Blackwater NWR, Cambridge, Maryland
In all the visits to Blackwater NWR and having only seen one once before but missed the shot, I felt very fortunate to finally photograph one at my last visit.
Bella & Beau 2018: And Then There’s Gus
(Osprey nest location: Cambridge, Maryland, USA)
Bella & Beau’s last post showed some occurrences with the passing of enemies overhead or around their nest, and their response. There’s one other daily regular resident, that swims continuously up and down the creek and around the base of Bella & Beau’s nest. It’s a Canada Goose, we’ll call him Gus.
Early on, I started photographing Gus from my balcony as he swam around the marinas. He has always been alone. Poor fella!
Canada Goose “Gus”
Canada Goose “Gus”
It became evident that the creek was where Gus hung out, at least during the day as I knew. There has been issues of another pair of Canada Geese flying in and trying to swim around the creek also, but Gus has always chased them away.
Gus chasing off a pair of Canada Geese
The pair were persistent day after day, purposely staying off to their own little marina area. But once Gus caught sight of them, he would immediately start honking loud flying towards them, quickly making them move on. One afternoon turned a little ugly.
Gus attacking the other male while the female gets out of the way
Gus would not give up on his quite loud assault
Bella and Beau had a front-row seat and intently watched all the commotion
Finally, Gus drove the pair into flight and out of the creek…..
…..which was followed by Gus’ happy dance.
I haven’t seen the pair of Canada Geese since, and it’s been over a week now.
Remember, Bella and Beau intently watched this all take place. Never before had I seen any issues with Bella & Beau and Gus.
Until a few days later.
Gus was doing his usual swim along the center of the creek early morning. While Beau was incubating, Bella was preening on the nest perch. When Bella saw Gus, she screeched out so loud and immediately left the nest. (She certainly got my attention from inside!)
Bella heading to Gus the Goose
Bella swooped down at Gus in attack. Gus retaliated.
Bella circled around and swooped down again…..
….and again, not letting up. Neither did Gus.
Gus in his defense stance
Eventually, Bella prevailed, driving Gus into flight and chasing him out of the creek.
Gus returned later that day but stayed further down the creek away from the nest. But most days since, I’ve seen Gus swimming again around the base of Bella and Beau’s nest with no peep from them.
Go figure, huh?!!
I have a feeling this isn’t the last of the commotions between the Osprey and the Canada Goose. Especially once there are chicks in the nest. Bella & Beau will kick into overdrive in protecting their babies.
Another profile of Gus the Goose
Gus the Goose back in his domain at sunset
Let’s hope Gus can get along with Bella and Beau throughout the summer, or we’re in for some trying times for Gus. Those talons of Bella and Beau’s look a little too sharp to fool with to me.
(Another post will be forthcoming to update you on Bella & Beau before the expected April 15-21 first hatching.)
(For all the posts on Bella & Beau’s 2018 season, you can click HERE.)
Summer Tanager (WooHoo!)
Did you catch a hint of excitement from my post title? A drive through Blackwater NWR yesterday provided me a new bird lifer, the Summer Tanager. I photographed him from the car window. And then I did my seated happy dance.
New lifers always cause a happy dance, don’t they?!!! 🙂
Summer Tanager (male)
Summer Tanager (male)
Summer Tanager (male)
And then he was gone. I wish I was a lot closer for a more clearer focus, but I’ll absolutely take these for my record!
(Photographs taken at Blackwater NWR, Cambridge, Maryland)
Catching Up With Those South Carolina Birds – Part 3
I’m still perusing back through my South Carolina birds images taken this past January to March and have a few more favorites to share.
Double-breasted Cormorants drying their wings
I happen to see again where Brown Pelicans took advantage of a Double-breasted Cormorant’s hard work fishing, by stealing his catch.
Brown Pelicans stealing a flabbergasted Double-crested Cormorant’s catch
The one Brown Pelican looked on while the other proceeded to swallow the stolen fish. You can see the fish’s shape in the Pelican’s pouch as he shifts it around to swallow it whole.
Unfortunately I over-exposed on these next two shots but I still love the reflections.
Great Egret
Great Egret
I had so many photogenic opportunities with the Brown Pelicans. They were very entertaining and I had a lot of fun with them. Here’s another photo of the many I shared these past couple months.
Brown Pelican lookin’ pretty
I’ll end here, but it looks like I have a few more birds from South Carolina to create one more post in the near future. 🙂
Bella & Beau 2018: Building and Protecting Their Nest
(Osprey nest location: Cambridge, Maryland, USA)
May 4, 2018
I am happy to report Beau’s instinct to increase the nest size has kicked in. Either that or Bella is telling him so. When Bella takes a break, I’ve seen her return with nesting materials as well.
Sunny days…..
and cloudy days.
It’s a never-ending job now.
Bella turning her egg(s) while Beau works on the nest.
Materials have included a lot of soft items like clumps of grass and leaves.
The hard work in nest building continues to have its downfalls though…..literally into the water or on the dock.
Bella works on placing a stick while Beau takes his turn on the egg(s).
Bella looses the stick and it falls to the water, alongside the many other sticks lost to the dock.
Bella looks down at the water and stick. Is that a look of disgust?
Bella determines the wood of the platform is a problem with stick placement and tries to bite at it to move it. She worked on it for several minutes. Meanwhile, Beau catches a little nap.
Bella wants that wood removed, it’s in the way!
And so here’s the nest as of May 4. It is growing in size, but needs to get much, much bigger for the safety of a family.
Bella & Beau’s nest today, May 4.
And while trying to incubate eggs, fish for meals, and build their nest, Bella and Beau are also on the look-out constantly for enemies. Enemies that fly over their nest and in their fly-space. Enemies that could steal their precious egg(s).
I previously mentioned there is a pair of Osprey that either didn’t mate or maybe lost their eggs, that continue to fly overhead, circling the nest. Almost as if to irritate Bella and Beau. On occasion, Beau will chase them if they come too close but mostly he and Bella screams loudly to let the intruding Osprey know they are not welcomed.
A Great Blue Heron has been visiting the docks each day for the past week. I’ve seen Osprey attack a Great Blue Heron if it is too close for the Osprey’s comfort. So far Bella and Beau are just keeping an eye on this Heron. Lucky for him!
May 4, 2018
Beau watching the Great Blue Heron who this time is on their dock where the nest platform pole is attached.
We have the occasional American Bald Eagle pass over, minding his/her own business. Beau and Bella do not like Eagles. One of them will pursue it to chase it away.
American Bald Eagle cruising over the Osprey nest.
Beau was perched on a sailboat mast by the nest. Bella started screaming and Beau took off after the Eagle, with the balance of his fish still in his talons.
Beau in pursuit of the American Bald Eagle.
Another Eagle passing by, this time at sunset. And this time Beau is quick in his speed and catches up to the Eagle.
Beau speeds after an American Bald Eagle.
Beau bears his talons, tries to dive at the Eagle, but misses. The Eagle ignores Beau and keeps going.
Beau is not the only one to show his intent to attack an intruder. A Red-tailed Hawk flew too close while Beau was incubating and Bella was perched on the nest, taking a break. Bella was into the air and sped after the Red-tailed Hawk.
Bella in pursuit of the Red-tailed Hawk.
Bella tries to attack the Red-tailed hawk.
The Red-tailed Hawk does not like the attempted attack….
…..circles around and begins chasing Bella.
Now the Red-tailed Hawk tries to attack Bella.
The two chased each other back and forth until the Red-tailed Hawk sped off and out of sight.
So daily life proves it isn’t so easy for Bella and Beau. However, they have shown they are a team. Hopefully, their hard work will continue and prevail, gracing our world with another generation of Osprey as is intended by nature.
(For all the posts on Bella & Beau’s 2018 season, you can click HERE.)
Beauties at Blackwater NWR
In addition to my last posts on Muskrat Love and Red-winged Blackbirds, here are a few more of my favorites taken from the wildlife drive at Blackwater NWR during a partly cloudy, late afternoon a few days ago.
Northern Shoveler (male) and American Coots
Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker
Osprey
Great Blue Heron
Another Great Blue Heron
American Bald Eagle
Greater Yellowlegs
Greater Yellowlegs
It has always been a pleasure to visit Blackwater NWR. And now I am only 12 miles away for this gem of a place. When I get my nature itch, you know where I will be going. 🙂
Muskrat Love
Muskrat, Muskrat
Candlelight
Doin’ the town and doin’ it right
In the evening
It’s pretty pleasing
Muskrat Suzie
Muskrat Sam
Do the jitterbug at a Muskrat Land
And they shimmy
Sam is so skinny
And they whirl
And they twirl and they tango
Singing and jingling a jangle
Float like the heavens above
Looks like Muskrat Love
Nibbling on bacon
Chewing on cheese
Sam says to Suzie
Honey, would you please be my Mrs
Suzie says yes with her kisses
Now, he’s tickling her fancy
Rubbing her toes
Muzzle to muzzle
Now anything goes as they wriggle
Sue starts to giggle
And they whirled
And they twirled and they tango
Singing and jingling a jangle
Floating like the heavens above
Looks like Muskrat Love
– written by Willis Alan Ramsey
– peaking #4 on the Hot 100 Chart in 1976 by Captain & Tennille
Listen to the song here…..
(Photos taken across a canal at Blackwater NWR, Cambridge, MD
wish they were better quality and not cropped so heavily!)
Red-winged Blackbirds
Red-winged Blackbirds spend their breeding season in fresh or saltwater marshes where they build their nests low among vertical shoots of marsh reeds, grasses, and shrubs.
Red-winged Blackbird (male)
Now is the time you’ll find male Red-winged Blackbirds sitting on a high perch over their territories, guarding against intruders and singing their hearts out.
Red-winged Blackbird (male)
The females are found mostly along the reeds and grasses, foraging for food and nesting materials. So I was thrilled to find this female taking a break up on a perch.
Red-winged Blackbird (female)
(Photos taken at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Cambridge, MD)
Bay Photos by Donna 