Mute Swans
I've been experimenting for a few days with a new photographic technique to get better wildlife photos, especially birds in flight. I decided to take advantage of the mild temperature, sunny sky, and almost no wind, and drove west and south looking for raptors. Along the way on I-64, I saw two Red-tailed Hawks between Waynesboro and I-81, and wondered if I would see any more raptors today so that I could take some photos.
My first stop was at Willow Lake in Raphine. There were Canada Geese, Mallards, a lone Bufflehead, and a Gadwall, as well as the two Mute Swans and the Snow Goose that I saw there 10 days ago.
Mute Swans
Snow Goose
Gadwall
I drove west and turned south on New Providence Road, but didn't see many birds, other than a quick look at an American Kestrel and a few woodland birds. When I turned north onto Dutch Hollow Road, I saw a couple more Americn Kestrels, and got a good look at a Red-tailed Hawk.
American Kestrel
American Kestrel
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
I continued north to Swoope, and saw a few more American Kestrels after entering Augusta County.
American Kestrels
American Kestrel
I arrived at Smith Lake (private property where I have permission to go birding). As soon as I got out of my car, I saw the same juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk that I had seen there on January 19, and it was perched on the same post as last month.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
There were Mallards and a pair of Tundra Swans on Smith Lake. This was the first time I have seen Tundra Swans in Swoope, and there were reports today of this species to the north of Swoope in Rockingham County.
Tundra Swans
Tundra Swans
Mallards
I drove around Swoope a bit, saw a few other species, two more American Kestrels, got a quick view of a female Northern Harrier, and saw one of the resident Bald Eagles fly to its nest.
Eastern Meadowlark
Northern Harrier
Bald Eagle