Rockfish Valley Trail 9/24/11

All photos are © Marshall Faintich


It rained all day yesterday. At 8:30 this morning there was a mostly cloudy sky with patchy fog, but by 10:00 low fog completely covered the trail. High humidity made for fogged glasses and sticky clothing. Drops of water hung from strands of spider web like diamonds on a necklace.


Water necklace

I logged 21 species in just a little more than the first 1/2 hour, but only added five more species in the next 1-1/2 hours as the skies deteriorated. Birds seemed to be hanging around in pairs or in flocks. I saw a pair of Brown Thrashers - haven't seen any of this species on the trail for more than a month.


Great Blue Herons discussing their morning plans


Female (left) and male (right) Red-bellied Woodpeckers


Northern Mockingbird chasing some Starlings


Belted Kingfisher


Eastern Bluebird


Flock of Cedar Waxwings


One of two Brown Thrashers

As I walked past my car at the end of my hike, a Great Blue Heron flew up from the Rockfish River and landed in a nearby tree.


Great Blue Heron


Great Blue Heron

This morning's list:

Eastern Bluebird
Indigo Bunting
American Crow
Catbird
Starling
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Rock Pigeon
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Carolina Wren
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-tailed Hawk
Pileated Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Flicker
Belted Kingfisher
Great Blue Heron
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
American Goldfinch
Northern Mockingbird
Common Raven
Cedar Waxwing
Blue Jay



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