WOOHOO! That’s the excitement I felt when I spotted my first Osprey of the season this morning in our area on my way in to work. 🙂 He/she was perched on top of the Rt 50/301 Exit 44A Chester River Beach overhead sign that is also supporting an Osprey nest that has been active for several years. We have several active Osprey nests built along this highway corridor that I post on occasion each season.
Thank goodness I had my camera, I wheeled my car off the next ramp and headed back to capture a few shots. 🙂
A bit scruffy-looking, but you’d look that way too after flying a few thousand miles in just a few weeks! 😉
Our local Osprey season has begun! I just had to let you know! 🙂
UPDATE: 3/8/13 – The osprey is still perching on this sign so it appears that this one is home. I briefly watched the skies early this morning from my balcony before heading to work, but no sign of an osprey here amongst all our local platforms. For sure, it’s just a matter of time…..maybe this weekend! 🙂
For those following my blog from my community, I hope you’ve noticed and enjoyed the increased eagle activity around us this past couple months. You cannot watch the skies for a day or two and not see at least one soaring above or at a distance or perched on ours or CBEC’s osprey platforms or the channel markers around us. For everyone, here’s a series of just a few of the many photos I’ve taken in the few times I spent ‘looking’ from my balcony the last two weeks.
This next adult was having breakfast on our osprey nest platform yesterday morning. It looked like it was an unfortunate duck.
Belly full, the eagle just sat and looked around.
Time to move on!
About a half hour later, I spotted a Turkey Vulture landing on the platform. He finished the duck.
I’ve seen a juvenile Eagle many times. Here he/she is coming towards me and then swooping down to the water to grab a meal.
The juvenile eagle came back by me and then circled again, passing closer to me before heading off with his catch.
Couple more individual shots…..
I was fortunate to be out at the right time to catch this adult eagle passing by real close! 🙂
What a majestic bird! I still get excited to see one no matter how many or how recent I saw the last. I hope you enjoyed these that I wanted to share.
Note, we have a huge snow storm crossing the United States. For us in the Chesapeake Bay Mid-Atlantic area, we’re borderline rain or snow. They don’t know just where the snow’s southern line will be just yet. As we are, everyone please stay informed of your area’s predictions, prepare, and be safe!
My drive to and from work each day is 50 minutes of very little traffic through Maryland’s Eastern Shore farmlands and woods on Route 301. It’s an unstressful drive, where you can turn the radio up, put on the cruise control (a MUST!), and enjoy the beautiful rolling landscape. And if you keep an eye out, you will be treated with a wide variety of birds throughout the year. I usually have my camera but if I cannot quickly pull over safely, I just enjoy the sighting as I pass by. The turn-arounds and distance between them can be 5+ miles, so I rarely will do that. Well, maybe I have for an eagle if I’m not running too late. 🙂
I had previously posted about the Snow Geese sightings and have been lucky to see them constantly since. I actually saw a small flock landing in the rain on a farm on my way home tonight. A frequent spot that I previously mentioned was at Rolling Bridge Road off Rt 301. One day I got to see Snow Geese going through a huge lift-off at a distance. The sighting and noise was beautiful!
Two days later carpooling with hubby, I spotted a smaller flock of the Snow Geese there again, and this time they were close to the road. Rick turned onto Rolling Bridge which put me alongside them as they busily pecked through the recent snowdusting we’d gotten, while a few continued to land. I was able to slip out of the truck without much movement to photograph them.
Notice the American Bald Eagle in the next photo in the large tree on the right. I didn’t see him until I reviewed my photos on my computer. I thought that was cool!
Several times recently I have been amazed at the sightings of Wild Turkeys! All these years up and down Route 301, and I had never seen one until last fall when one came flying across the road in front of me (that almost scared the you-know-what out of me!) and then those this past month. I had no idea they were out there.
While photographing them, three deer came out of the woods and paused to feed with the Wild Turkeys.
There are always a couple of Red-Tailed Hawks along the way to and from work. Of all the wooded area and farmland, it seems funny that they perch to scope out the dual highway and the grassland between as a place to locate food. They will swoop down out of the tree to the middle and pounce on probably a small rodent, all while watching you pass by. If I spot one perched across the highway and can pull over quickly, I am lucky if I can get a decent shot because they usually take flight immediately. So, after many attempts this past month, here’s a somewhat decent shot of one.
I will admit I am confused on identifying this next hawk. I first thought it was a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk but after looking at too many more photos, I’ve started second guessing myself. Broad-winged Hawk? Northern Harrier? This one took flight immediately and I got some flight shots which would/should help with the ID. Would someone be so gracious to help me out with this one? Appreciate it!!
On my way home when I ramp off Rt 301 at Kent Narrows, there is water alongside the ramp and the Holiday Inn. I always look to see what’s visiting there. I spotted this next Great Blue Heron on a piling. Neat op I thought! I pulled into the Holiday Inn parking lot and walked down to the water but I was still at a distance from him for a close shot. Here he is enjoying the sun setting.
As I was returning to my car, a Red-winged Blackbird was perched in a tree just a few feet of me, singing his song. He seemed so happy!
That’s my latest enroute bird photos! I hope you enjoyed them and appreciate your visit. As always, thank you!
Our temperatures have been flip-flopping like the rest of the U.S. from the low 20’s to the upper 60’s, it’s crazy! We are thankful we’ve only had small snow dustings here and there. Hopefully, we make it to Spring without anything significant occurring before then.
The Buffleheads’ continue their daily visits around our berm, always providing a lot of enjoyment. They are small and quick and one busy duck! This time I was able to capture the lighting on a male to show his iridescent colors around his head.
Another day, another couple……
I had previously posted a terrible capture of a female Common Goldeneye, but it was a first sighting for me. She continued to visit at sunrise for a several mornings. This time I did a better job showing her beauty!
As I walked out onto my balcony at sunrise one morning, a small flock of Canada Geese had started a descent towards our berm in the cove to try to get some relief from the winds that morning. I captured a few as they dropped, they are pretty darn good at their maneuvers!
At a day’s sunset, I captured these male and female Mallards off in the distant, crossing over the sun shining on the water as it was setting.
This group on another day, just loitering around our berm.
Saturday a week ago, we were running a little late leaving for work to do some catching up. And I was so very happy we did because just before finally being ready to go, this juvenile American Bald Eagle suddenly landed on our osprey nest platform for just a few minutes before taking flight. 🙂
It was this past Friday that we had near 70 degrees weather; I pulled up at home and spotted these two American Robins on the ground. It certainly felt like a spring day with their sighting!
Even during the winter, I occasionally ride down our drive to our community’s marina to see what might be perched or swimming around the docks. It’s exciting to find a surprise, which this past Friday I did. I sighted a dozen Ruddy Ducks, some sleeping, some watching. I parked the car and was able to walk up to them while staying out of sight to try to get some close shots. I was eventually spotted by the watchers, but they didn’t seem to care about me as I didn’t move any closer. They offered some beautiful portraits in the reflecting waters. 🙂
Finally, a photo of our visiting Great Blue Heron, this time he’s leaving me! We had quite a few Mallards around the berm where he was perched in the brush at the base of the osprey nest platform in the cold. The Mallards were noisily chattering and darting around which And seemed to annoy the Great Blue Heron enough for him to take flight right between their group, scattering them. He just gracefully flapped away!
I’ve been working a lot of overtime for weeks now and have gotten majorly behind in everything it seems. That includes my keeping up with my fellow bloggers, so please excuse me, I miss you and will be back to catch up!
Thanks so very much to everyone for stopping by to see my latest captures. Some how some way, these birds keep my sanity in tack! 🙂
This past week we continued to enjoy a variety of interesting birds from our backyard balcony, some returning and some new for me! Our temperatures have been in the 20’s-30’s with a few snow dustings. For those new or unfamiliar with my backyard, here’s a photo.
I’ll begin with my new birds. They were each a curious “what’s that?” sighting, followed by photo-taking, and then reviewing on the computer to identify. It always feels cool to photograph a new bird for your list! 🙂
The male and female Gadwell were a treat! They were mixed in with several male and female mallards at the base of the osprey nest platform.
Another day and another new visitor! I surely didn’t do her justice with such a terrible photo!
The next shot is a hawk that I don’t know if it’s identifiable, he literally flew right in front and past me while I was watching something else.
Although the Dark-eyed Juncos have been around, I finally got a clear-enough shot to confirm his identity.
Our regulars still continue to delight!
We were fortunate to have a small flock of Canada Geese stop and rest along the berm at our osprey nest platform, joining a group of Mallards. Everyone was quiet and peaceful, until one Mallard seemed to be too interested in another’s mate and Mallard fighting ensued right in the middle of the geese.
It quieted back down after the skirmish. I enjoyed watching the Canada Geese as they preened and stretched their wings, they usually stay at a distance in the water.
Large numbers of Canvasbacks raft up in Marshy Creek daily in the mornings and evenings.
Even the Belted Kingfisher continues to visit. I captured him down on Lipincott’s Channel Marker 3 in Marshy Creek.
I had mentioned before that the eagles in the area were very active now. This eagle prepared to attack a raft of ducks but wasn’t successful. He continued to fly around and eventually caught a fish.
The male Eagle took the fish to the ice where his partner was waiting and handed it over to her. So sweet! All was happy.
But then along came the other two pairs of Eagles I mentioned; and as the male took flight to scare them off, one of the intruding Eagles attacked the female Eagle on the ice, trying to snatch the fish.
The mate to the intruder came in to help while the lone female Eagle on the ice fought to keep her fish. Her partner was still in the air chasing the other pair.
Somehow she was successful, and the intruders flew over to the close-by osprey nest platform in Marshy Creek and perched for a brief time, before eventually leaving the area.
Finally, how can I not end my post without sharing more captures of our regular, the Great Blue Heron?!! I have SO many photos of him but the GBH is so photogenic. I love it when I happen to see him coming and can get a decent shot of him in flight showing his massive wings.
Finally, a couple scenes of our sunrises over Marshy Creek. Sometimes they are nice…..
And sometimes they are brilliant!
I’ll post this last shot that was a spur-of-the-moment and I liked it. I snapped this over our community’s fence overlooking Lipincott Marina’s sailboat yard at sunrise another day.
I hope the migratory birds continue to hang around a little while longer for our enjoyment but very soon they will be on their way north. Which means in turn, the Osprey are feeling the migration tug to head back north to our area from their tropical winter grounds. So although we will be losing some beautiful feathered-friends, we will soon be sighting our missed ones for another season of delight of the wings!
As always, thank you for the visit, I appreciate it and you! 🙂
A quick post (shhhhh, I’m at work!), as I cannot contain my excitement any longer and wait until I have more time to finish up my planned next post. Arriving home couple nights ago as I was getting out of my car, I heard a sree singing in the tree to my right. The sun was setting behind them through the buildings so it was hard to make out what species they were but I knew they were different to me, I’m thinking……”Cedar Waxwings?” Took a couple cellphone photos for documentation just in case, then backed away and went inside to get my camera while scolding myself for neglecting to carry it with me that day! I was sure they would be gone when I returned.
I got lucky! Instead of coming back downstairs, I peaked over from our third floor front door balcony and saw they were still in the tree. With my zoom lens I confirmed they were Cedar Waxwings. WOOHOO! There were eleven total. They saw me and didn’t allow much time for a photo op before they flew away. BUT I got them! 🙂 This is a new bird for me both sighting and photo and a specific one I’ve wanted to capture. I have always been fascinated by the Cedar Waxwing’s sharp contrast in colors when viewing others photos. They almost appear to have a 3D effect to me.
I can’t believe I sighted them, especially here in on our community. I wish the lighting could have been better but I’m still thrilled to have gotten some shots. I hope you like! 🙂
OK I’ve posted, so now I feel better…..now back to work! 😉 Have a great weekend everyone! GO RAVENS!!!
Back in early December within a mile of my office in Middletown, Delaware, I felt lucky to experience a large flock of snow geese feeding in the farm field for three days before moving on in their migration adventure. With the throes of life at the time, I had gotten lazy in carrying my camera; but as I was arriving towards my office at sunrise, right alongside the huge Amazon.com facility on the farm field I sighted thousands and thousands of snow geese. WOW! I called hubby to see if he had left home (he hadn’t), asked him to grab my camera (he did), and bring it to the office (thanks honey!). I then sat briefly, watching and listening to them before getting to work. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until noon that I got back out with my camera and the snow geese were gone. I was bummed! I ran my errands and headed back to work, when I found a smaller flock had landed across the highway on another farm. I parked the car and got out to take a few shots. The snow geese were noisy and restless.
I don’t know what spooked them but in just a couple minutes they suddenly began to take flight. All of them!
I started the muttering we bird photographers do to ‘entice’ our ops to us…..”please come this way, over here, this way, please, PLEASE!”
And so they began heading right towards me. Sometimes it works! 😉
The snow geese made the decision to continue to move on instead of circling and relanding where they were as they sometimes do. Something indeed had spooked them. What a sight and noise in the sky!
The next morning, the snow geese were back but the size of the flock was much smaller. Staying on the ground in the distance didn’t offer much photo ops for that day.
The third day as I arrived into Middletown, the flock was already high in the sky, creating their “V”s while cruising through. I stopped and watched the attached sighting unfold. It appeared a large “V” of snow geese had decided to race a jet.
Five photo frames later and the snow geese proved they were faster! 😉
Just a little fun there! 🙂
Those three days were a treat for me, especially since then I’ve not had a chance to get to Blackwater NWR or Bombay Hook to see them. I hope you enjoyed them too. And as always, thank you for stopping by!
Hello Everyone, I hope all of you had a wonderful and safe holiday season! I’m finally back after MIA for a couple months. My daughter was getting married back mid-November and I needed just a ‘small’ leave of absence for the planning and festivities but I never planned it to be this long! Sorry!!
The wedding was beautiful from start to finish! Then Thanksgiving quickly rolled around which whisked us off to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (a future post is imminent with my visit to Pinckney Island NWR during that trip). Then Christmas was upon us. During all this time my mom has been ill and in and out of the hospital. She’s home now and fairing much better as I write. 🙂
Enough of the excuses, I’m back and ready to share the nature I observe and photograph from my third floor balcony overlooking Marshy Creek, Prospect Bay and the south end entrance of the Kent Narrows, nature which never stops pleasuring those that will take the time to stop, look and listen……
First for my blogging diary, I want to record the fact of my last sighting of a transient osprey who was perched on a Rt. 50 sign here in Grasonville this past November 13 and 14. I was not able to tell if it was an adult or a juvenile but he/she seemed comfortable up there perched, one day eating a fish! 🙂 A bit late in migration, I wondered if he got thrown off his travels by Hurricane Sandy and was attempting again to head south.
So here we are! Old man winter is trying hard to enter our area recently with crisp, cool days. And he’s also bringing along our winter visitors who fly in for the season for our community’s pleasure and my ongoing nature photography passion! Here’s who’s been arriving these last couple months….
But first, some shots of our gorgeous Great Blue Heron, who never left for a migration and continues to visit us almost daily around the berm and osprey nest platform. At dawn, I still find him frequently perched on the nest platform, facing the rising sun, waiting for it’s imminent warmth.
And then he’s sometimes just prancing around the rocks, doing a little fishing while keeping an eye out for any enemies.
This next shot is for fun, it really cracked me up. What a stance, Mr. GBH!
It is now the American Bald Eagle’s mating season and activity and sightings in our skies are much more promising. I’ve seen more sightings of eagles in the last two weeks than I’ve seen for months. What a sight to behold! For those in the community, keep your eye on our osprey nest platform and Lippincott’s channel maker #3 where they love to perch during the winter months.
Another frequent visitor to our osprey nest platform recently is this Belted Kingfisher. Such a tiny, cute fella!
Those adorable Buffleheads began showing up in November and can be seen almost daily, diving for food.
Ruddy Ducks and American Coots have joined us as well!
It seems they may have moved on, but last week for several days we had the pleasure to observe 20-30 Surf Scoters tightly grouped and diving/feeding at the entrance of Marshy Creek. I’ve captured this species further down Maryland’s Eastern Shore, but this was a first for me here at Oyster Cove. 🙂
In addition, Canada Geese and Tundra Swans have arrived in our area. At sunrise, it is a delight to stand outside quietly and listen to them chatter to one another. Pretty cool stuff.
Stay tuned as I continue to share who’s visiting our area, or other nature photos I take along my excursions. And as always, thank you for stopping by! And to those blogs that I subscribe to, I’ll be back in touch with yours, I miss you!!
We ventured out a little after 10:00 am this morning, 4 1/2 hours after high tide, and were shocked at the flooding waters in our area. We had actually been stranded at high tide with both directions of Rt 18 flooded out if we had tried to leave our community at that time. Both ways were still flooded and we were directed to get directly onto Rt 50 through the lowest waters. We drove down to check on our boat on it’s trailer on dry land and it was fine. The kids called and our building in Middletown only suffered minor water intrusion at the doors that were packed with towels so we made out fine there too. Decided to close the office another day, what the heck. Had enough stress the past day, needed a day to relax, really. Family everywhere did well, only our son and his family lost power and are still without power at this writing. They have relocated to her parents temporarily. All in all, we are blessed with no major problems. Those that were not so lucky, our hearts go out to each person.
We only stayed out a half hour, all roads off of Rt 50 along Rt 18 had many closures for small stretches. We are a low-lying coastal community and we swell with water every time a high high-tide along Rt 18 hits. Our townhouse/condo community buildings are built on piers, so water that does crest as it does on the Point on the Narrows at times, will flow throw the lattice to the drains in the streets. Our morning drive through still showed water flooding the grass and street there at the Point.
There were many police officers, SHA patrolmen, and equipment blocking closed roads while attending individual situations everywhere we turned. So we decided to go back home and not be in the way. I tried to grab a shot out the window while passing by the short drive we did on Rt 50. Here’s a few that luckily turned out. A reminder, these are 4 1/2 hours AFTER high tide.

Fisherman’s Inn Restaurant & Crab Deck front parking lot & piers in background are completely under water at 10:30 am. Truck in bottom right entrance by white boats is stopped at the water line.

From my balcony overlooking Prospect Bay after returning, 10:48am. Kent Island to the right, Gibson Island back center, and edge of Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center to the left. Winds S 20 mph, gusts 30 mph. Sandy is still blowing.
Here’s a few photos, courtesy of Mears Point Marina down at the Kent Narrows.

Annie’s Steak House’s parking lot with Mears Office in background 9:00am, courtesy of Mears Point Marina Newsletter
With the continuing 20-25 mph South winds, water is continuing to blow up the Chesapeake Bay, keeping it from receding for our 11:55 am low tide. It’s a little after 3:30 pm and the water is rising for the upcoming 6:28 pm high tide. The local stations are saying we are going to have another high high-tide so it appears we will have a repeat of local flooding. Could it be higher than this morning’s since the water didn’t recede very much?
Here are two photos just taken, the waves are crashing over the riprap already. Not so good at three hours before actually high tide of 6:28 pm.

The cove to the right of my balcony at 3:27 pm, waves are splashing over the riprap. The previous high tide residue is seen to the far right from this morning’s high high tide.
Appreciate your following my blog, it’s been fun and scary keeping a photolog of Hurricane Sandy here in our area. It certainly helped my nerves! 🙂

© 2010-2025 Donna Wadsley, Photos by Donna, and Bay Photos by Donna. All rights reserved. The photographs and text herein are the property of Donna Wadsley and may not be reproduced, displayed, modified, or distributed without express, prior, written permission of the copyright holder. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of a copyrighted work is illegal.
Want to email me? bayphotosbydonna@gmail.com