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