I got a late start this morning and did not make it to the Rockfish Valley Trail until about 9:00, but was still able to spot 24 species. Many of the summer birds seem to be gone for the year, and I suspect that after the cold front expected at the end of the week, the avian population will be limited to our usual crop of winter birds. However, there is always hope for a few late migrating birds to stop by. Today seemed to be a good day for taking photos of birds in flight. In the early afternoon I took a short hike in Stoney Creek, and was treated to an Osprey. I also saw a Great Blue Heron that looked like it was laughing at a funny joke.
Swamp Sparrow
Palm Warbler
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Crow going for its target in mid-air
Chipping Sparrows having a disagreement
American Crow harrassing a Turkey Vulture
This morning's list (24 species):
Starling Turkey Vulture Black Vulture Eastern Bluebird Blue Jay Field Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Carolina Chickadee Flicker Northern Mockingbird American Goldfinch Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird Yellow-rumped Warbler Ruby-crowned Kinglet Eastern Phoebe Cedar Waxwing Kingfisher |
Osprey
Blue Jay
Great Blue Heron
American Robin
Canada Geese
Flaps up; landing gear down and locked
One big turtle with a little turtle