I hiked a bit here in Old Trail in the early afternoon under mostly cloudy skies. Even at this time of day, I was able to log 25 avian species, including 3 Red-shouldered Hawks.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Eastern Bluebird gathering nesting materials
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Tree Swallow
House Sparrow
Northern Flicker
Northern Cardinal
Field Sparrows were singing from several locations.
Field Sparrow
Field Sparrow
There were four Wood Ducks in a small pond near the schools.
Wood Ducks
Wood Ducks
Wood Ducks
The Albemarle Western Park is completely within Old Trail, and the county plans to develop a large portion of it from grassy wetlands to playgrounds. Seven deer were at the base of the plateau where construction is slated to begin this spring.
Deer
Our local "Nessie," a 3+ foot long snapping turtle re-appeared in the golf course pond. I hadn't seen it since last summer.
Snapping turtle
Before getting out this morning, I photographed a large American Toad on our front steps here in Old Trail.
American Toad
The weather forecast was for rain today, but the rain was pushed to the afternoon, so I went over to Lickinghole Creek and Reservoir this morning, and also hiked a little on the adjacent Crozet Connector Trail. It was a good day for birding, but not for photography. I ended the morning with 29 avian species there, including 11 species I had not seen yesterday, giving me a two day total of 36 avian species here in Crozet, including 3 First Of Year species for me; Green Heron, Solitary Sandpiper, and Bonaparte's Gull. Many of the flying birds were distant or brightly backlit, or I was viewing them through dense vegetation. An Osprey was flying over the reservoir, and was quickly chased away by one of the resident Bald Eagles.
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Bonaparte's Gull
Solitary Sandpiper
Green Heron
Great Blue Heron
Northern Cardinal
Red-shouldered Hawk
The turtles at the reservoir were out enjoying the warm spring weather, and a Garter Snake was on the Crozet Connector Trail.
Turtles
Garter Snake