Eastern Neck NWR – Final Bird Photos
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My last five posts shared photos of winter scenes and birds from a morning visit to Eastern Neck NWR for three hours on February 1st. The temps were in the mid-20sĀ°F and it was windy in open areas.
I didn’t feel much of the cold for some reason…. š¤ Oh yea, all those birds! š But you can bet it felt pretty awesome jumping back in my car to warm up while sipping hot coffee.
And now this sixth post (whew, didn’t realize it’d take this many to share one outing!) to share these final bird favorites.
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Great Black-backed Gull strolling the ice
(largest gull in the world)
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American Robins and Eastern Bluebirds puffed up together
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Song Sparrow chilling on Eastern Neck bridge
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Great Blue Heron also chilling on the Eastern Neck bridge
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Great Blue Heron
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White-throated Sparrow fluffin’ the feathers
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Canada Geese with one having something to say about the cold
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Tufted Titmouse sittin’ pretty and puffy
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Puffed-up Song Sparrow
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Red-winged Blackbirds
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This visit I more closely noticed a shoreline at low tide that I know I will return to at future low tide visits.
I liked the colors of the scattered rocks and shells providing some awesome surroundings for two birds that I luckily spotted foraging there. A sparrow and a warbler.
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See the Swamp Sparrow blending in?
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Swamp Sparrow closeup
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I really liked the barnacles in the shots.
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Yellow-rumped Warbler
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Yellow-rumped Warbler making his way to the water
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Yellow-rumped Warbler going for a drink
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Being unique to my normal sightings of these two birds, I enjoyed going through the dozens of shots of the sparrow and warbler, seeing what composition played out nicely with the colors and surroundings.
I hope you enjoyed this birding adventure in my part of the world during a cold February 1st morning. It was an awesome visit for me, one to be remembered.
I had such a great time that I’ve braved the cold and visited Eastern Neck NWR three more times since. š Egads, the photos! š¤Ŗ
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Eastern Neck NWR – More Eagles
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Continuing from my previous post, here is more Eagle beauty and action I witnessed at Eastern Neck NWR the cold, cold morning of February 1st.
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Bald Eagle soaring
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I had previously showed bonded pairs flying together playfully.
There were also instances where there were Eagles chasing Eagles who infringed on their partner or territory.
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Eagle chasing after another Eagle
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While in a chase, the chatter of loud fighting words fills the air.
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The remaining mate follows its partner who keeps chasing the other Eagle
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The remaining mate almost catches up as the chasing goes off into the distance
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This next perched Eagle was a bit puffed up for the low to mid 20’s, covering even its feet with feathers, except the one extended claw.
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As I photographed this beauty, it became excited on seeing and hearing another Eagle flying behind me.
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Excited Bald Eagle
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I didn’t dare look behind me as I was certain this Eagle was going to take flight, so I stayed ready.Ā But it didn’t.Ā The Eagle just settled back to another pretty profile pose.Ā And covering all but one of those tootsies again!
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A couple of immature Eagles.
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Bald Eagle (immature)
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And one final series of photos of another Eagle flyby.Ā I could never tire of these!
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What fun!
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Eastern Neck NWR – Eagles
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Continuing to share my visit to Eastern Neck NWR the morning of February 1st, quite exciting was the number of Eagles everywhere.Ā At one time, I saw seven Eagles in the sky, and I had just pulled away from one in a tree.Ā Amazing!
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Bald Eagle pair bonding playfully in flight
Bald Eagle pair bonding playfully in flight
Bald Eagle pair bonding playfully in flight
Bald Eagle pair bonding playfully while flying across the sky
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Immature Eagles playful in flight
Immature Eagles playful in flight
Immature Eagles playful in flight
Immature Bald Eagles playful in flight
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Our Chesapeake Bay area has a permanent Bald Eagle population year-round with Eastern Neck NWR hosting approximately a dozen.Ā During the winter, our region also hosts transient Bald Eagles from all along the Atlantic coast, so it is quite easy to see them any day right now while riding or walking around the refuge.
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Bald Eagle cruising through the trees to head up to a branch
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An Eagle with a view
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Immature Eagle walking the ice (for fun slide show)
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Immature Eagle
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How about a three-photo series of an adult Bald Eagle flyby!
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Bald Eagle Flyby 01
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Bald Eagle Flyby 02
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Bald Eagle Flyby 03
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And finally for this post, this gorgeous Bald Eagle perched in a tree.
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Bald Eagle sitting in partial shade
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Bald Eagle closeup
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So that I could get a post up today with Eagles as promised, I’ll be back with another post of more Eagles from that morning at Eastern Neck NWR.
I don’t think anyone will complain with two posts in a row, overloaded with Eagle photos.Ā š
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Eastern Neck NWR – Ducks In Flight
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In my last post, my photos shared the Canada Geese and ducks at peace, resting on the ice at the causeway at Eastern Neck NWR’s bridge when I arrived early that morning.Ā The temps were in the low 20’s, but who knew!Ā I was too busy happily photographing away at all those ducks.
Suddenly, all those ducks began to chatter.Ā Loud.Ā They were instantly on their feet and standing at alert attention.
I was sure I knew why and looked up.Ā Yep, it was one of the refuge’s kings of the sky.Ā Circling.Ā Looking down at the icy waters full of ducks.Ā š³
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Bald Eagle
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Bald Eagle
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Nervousness caused some of the Mallards, Northern Pintails, and American Black Ducks to take flight.
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That movement and instinct caused more and more ducks to follow.
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Mallards, Northern Pintails, American Black Duck and Canada Goose in flight
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Soon most all the ducks were in the air, leaving the Canada Geese back to their peace and quiet.
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Only a couple of ducks left!
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The Eagle did a final lap and then resumed it’s flight, heading east.
I don’t know if I was relieved for the ducks, or disappointed as a bird photographer who loves capturing action behavior.Ā (Honestly, both!)
Now, some close-ups of those ducks in flight!
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Mallards, Northern Pintails in flight
Mallards, American Black Ducks and Canada Geese in the water and ice
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A lone pair of Canada Geese got into the flight action.
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Canada Geese pair taking flight with Mallards, Northern Pintails, American Black Duck
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Northern Pintails, Mallards
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I got a surprise when seeing Northern Shovelers suddenly in the mix.Ā Not sure where they were, I don’t see any of them in any my big view photos.Ā They might have been just around the cove corner in the marsh grass.
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Northern Shovelers, American Black Ducks, Mallards
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All the ducks were taking flight east into the winds.Ā They would then bank a left and all head west towards the Chesapeake Bay.
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Mallards
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Northern Pintails
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American Black Ducks, Northern Shovelers, Mallards
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And there they all go, in the big view, out to the Chesapeake Bay!
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I jumped back into my car to warm up and started my adventure further in to the refuge.Ā What other birds did I encounter this visit?Ā Eagles, of course!Ā Stay tuned…..
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Eastern Neck NWR – Swans, Geese & Ducks
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If you caught my last post on my frozen vast views shared at Eastern Neck NWR, you saw I hit the jackpot with the number of Tundra Swans, Canada Geese, and several species of ducks.
Here are some of my favorites of a closer look at some of them.
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Tundra Swans
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Buffleheads
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Northern Pintails, Mallards, Canada Geese, Ring-billed Gulls, Herring Gull (immature), American Black Duck
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Hooded Mergansers
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Hooded Mergansers
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Tundra Swans
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Tundra Swans
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Mallard on left announces, “It’s Party Time!”
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Tundra Swans
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Ruddy Duck (female)
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Long-tailed Duck (male)
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Long-tailed Duck (male)
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Long-tailed Duck (male) and Ruddy Duck (female)
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More to come from that morning visit at the refuge…..Ā š
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Eastern Neck NWR – Winter Scenes
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I visited Eastern Neck NWR on February 1st, after we had received 4-5 inches of snow 2-3 days prior.
These photos share some of the big winter views.
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Bald Eagles (adult and immature)
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Tubby Cove Boardwalk
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Canada Geese, Northern Pintails, Mallards
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Tundra Swans, American Black Ducks
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Tundra Swans, Canada Geese, American Black Ducks, Mallards
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Distant unfrozen waters is the Chesapeake Bay before Maryland’s western shore.
Continuing the above photo to the right with this next one.Ā It sure was a long line of geese, swans, and ducks!
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Always a good spot to find a Great Blue Heron….but not today
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There s/he is, puffed up & chillin’ at low tide down the road – Great Blue Heron
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Ducks in flight – Mallards, Northern Pintails, American Black Duck
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Shifting ice in shifting tides
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In my next post, I’ll share some close-ups of the birds I photographed.Ā Oh, those ducks!
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1-2-3 Birds and Berries – #3
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I’m enjoying this challenge of pulling together three more recent bird photos that include any berries or seeds in their mouth or surroundings (as are these).
My first photo is also for fun! The Blue Jays are the ninjas of my trees, not wanting to be seen.
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Blue Jay
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Dark-eyed Junco
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Yellow-rumped Warbler
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Five On The Wing – #25
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Another of my series of five birds ‘on the wing’ to their next destination!
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American Robin
Wingspan 12.2-15.8 inches (31-40 cm)
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Eastern Meadowlark
Wingspan: 13.8-15.8 inches (35-40 cm)
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Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted male)
Wingspan 16.5-20.1 inches (42-51 cm)
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Red-bellied Woodpecker (female)
Wingspan 13.0-16.5 inches (33-42 cm)
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Blue Jay
Wingspan 13.4-16.9 inches (34-43 cm)
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1-2-3 Medium Bird Jubilee – #5
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These three medium-sized birds also had to adapt rather quickly to our recent snowfall and below freezing temps!
Because it was an odd sighting for my deck as well as an adorable shot, I took the first photo of a female Red-winged Blackbird through my window right after the snow had stopped.Ā She seemed tired/misplaced and hung out in the corner for a long time through the winds while Juncos and House Finches flitted about.Ā She later flew to a tree and stayed there for a while longer.Ā I finally noticed she was gone, and hoped she was okay.
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Red-winged Blackbird (female) puffed up for warmth
Length 6.7-9.1 inches (17-23 cm)
Weight 1.1-2.7 oz (32-77 g)
Wingspan 12.2-15.8 inches (31-40 cm)
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European Starling also puffed up for warmth
Length 7.9-9.1 inches (20-23 cm)
Weight 2.1-3.4 oz (60-96 g)
Wingspan 12.2-15.8 inches (31-40 cm)
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Red-bellied Woodpecker (female) busy foraging
Length 9.4 inches (24 cm)
Weight 2.0-3.2 oz (56-91 g)
Wingspan 13.0-16.5 inches (33-42 cm)
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1-2-3 Cute As Can Be – #12
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These three adorable birds are not only all sparrows, they also include the bonus theme of snow that we just received from the nor-easter.
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House Sparrow (female) with a seed
Length 5.9-6.7 in (15-17 cm)
Weight 0.9-1.1 oz (27-30 g)
Wingspan 7.5-9.8 in (19-25 cm)
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Dark-eyed Junco
Length 5.5-6.3 in (14-16 cm)
Weight 0.6-1.1 oz (18-30 g)
Wingspan 7.1-9.8 in (18-25 cm)
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White-throated Sparrow
Length 6.3-7.1 in (16-18 cm)
Weight 0.8-1.1 oz (22-32 g)
Wingspan 7.9-9.1 in (20-23 cm)
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One more bonus! The White-throated Sparrow did a cute puff-up to help stay warm as it rested. Look how big s/he gets!
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Bay Photos by Donna 