It's been very hot here in central Virginia, and most of the summer only avian species have already gone, so there's very few birds to see. Most of the fall migratory and winter species are still about a week or so away. So I decided to not see many birds up at cooler temperatures on the Blue Ridge Parkway, rather than not see birds where it was hotter :-) I made three trips up there on the 15th, 16th, and 18th, and saw a combined total of 25, possible a few more, avian species. I saw Cerulean Warblers at two locations the first of these days, as well as two Hooded Warblers on each visit to Hickory Springs Overlook (mm. 12).
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Barn Swallow
Tree Swallow
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Wren
Cedar Waxwing
Chimney Swift
Downy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-eyed Vireo
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Unidentified avian species; probably an Eastern Wood-Pewee
The most interesting bird was a juvenile and recently fledged, American Goldfinch, perched and waiting for its parent at mm 7.5.
Juvenile American Goldfinch
Juvenile American Goldfinch
Juvenile American Goldfinch
Juvenile American Goldfinch
Monarch
Swallowtail
As I was leaving this last day, I saw a very young black bear. Photos are a bit blurry as I had to take them leaning out of my car window.
Black bear
Black bear
Black bear