Hello everyone!
I visited Rap River Valley National Wildlife Refuge yesterday (5/3/12) from
just after sunrise until 4 P.M.
Very overcast and misty during the morning with the sun finally working it's
way onto the scene around 11 A.M. Birds were active and flying about while the
sky was murky. Around 1:30 P.M. the tide in the sky must have changed and
birds were tough to spot. They were still singing but camera shy. Before I
mention what I saw, I need to touch on what I did not find, on this trip.
Grasshopper Sparrows are, just about, a given at this tract of the refuge
system. The fields provide plenty of the little jewels. Yesterday, they hid
from me because I did not spot even one. It felt really odd not seeing them
everywhere. Maybe they are not here yet in full force?
I always enjoy Wilna, with it's open fields and tree lined areas and yesterday
was no exception. Here is what I saw.
Turkey Vulture 6
Black Vulture 3
Bald Eagles 2 (Both Fly overs)
Red-Tailed Hawk 1 (Fly over)
Osprey 3 (Fly over)
Great Blue Heron 1
Indigo Bunting 4 (Link to image at end of list)
Blue Grosbeak 8 (Link to image at end of list)
Male Yellow Warbler 1 (link to image at end of list)
Male Chestnut-Sided Warbler 1 (Link to image at end of list)
Female Blackpoll Warbler 1 (No new image- she looked me over while I tried to
eat breakfast and take pics at the same time)
Male Yellow-Rumped Warbler 2
Red-Winged Blackbird 5
Yellow-Billed Cuckoo 1? (Quick view)
Ruby-Throated Humingbird 1
Barn Swallow 15
Wild Turkey 1 (Ran as soon as I raised the camera)
Non birds
White-Tailed Deer and Fawn 1 each (Both of us were surprised at seeing each
other a bit too close. But it only took mom 1/1000 of a second to increase the
distance!
Black Racer Snake 1
Links to images if you care to look. (I have redesigned my web site. But
there are no new photos other than the ones below.)
Male Chestnut-Sided Warbler (For ID Verification Only. Photo will be removed
after 5/4/12)
http://natures-finest-photography.com/gallery/song-birds-1a/temp-not-for-sale-for-id-nfp-s/
Male Yellow Warbler (3 images. Here is 1)
http://natures-finest-photography.com/gallery/song-birds-1a/spring-sunshine-nfp-s/
Male Blue Grosbeak
http://natures-finest-photography.com/gallery/song-birds-1a/blue-grosbeak-on-morning-field-nfp-s/
Male Indigo Bunting (Cloudy sky photo)
http://natures-finest-photography.com/gallery/song-birds-1a/cloudy-day-song-nfp-s/
Best birding!
Les Brooks
Glen Allen, VA
http://www.natures-finest-photography.com
