Kicking off New Year 2015 -- my ramblings in Maryland and Virginia
Unlike last New Year's Day, this New Year's Day I decided to take it easy and just wander around near where I live. My wandering is, of course, still bird-oriented. A pair of warblers -- very rare at this time of the year -- had been reported in Baltimore, and I had been itching to see them (espeically the Cape May, which would be a new life bird for me). I wasted no time and arrived at Essex Park & Ride where the birds had been reported just after 9AM. I waited until 10AM before the Cape May showed up, then 20 minutes later the Nashville showed up as well. I did not get very close in order not to spook the birds, so the pictures were not great. But I surely can't complain about starting the new year with a new bird! (Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)
There were quite a few kinglets (both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned) flitting around too, and the Ruby-crowned can be confused with the Nashville Warbler at first glance. They are very active birds, not shy at all, so I got much better pictures of them.
After lunch I went to Dyke Marsh in Virginia. The day before -- New Year's Eve, that is -- I actually got a new bird here: a Greater White-fronted Goose. But, at that time, it had its head tucked under its wings and I did not even see its face (see the first picture). Not satisfied, I tried again today. After much searching and scanning (among the hundreds of Canada Geese), I finally located it again. Initially it was very far, but I spent a few hours there, and eventually my patience paid off and I got a decent shot of it with its face clearly shown.
To top it off, I then saw a magnificent Red-tailed Hawk perching on a tree, apparently after just having a meal (note the blood on its talons).
So, two new birds (they would be lifer #383 and #384 for me) for two days, not a bad way to start a new year, huh?
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Greater White-fronted Goose
Greater White-fronted Goose
Red-tailed Hawk