Hanging out (on same branch) with a painted skimmer. In the field, I assumed it was the female of the species, but this website: http://southernspreadwing.com/odes/maryland/ guided me toward a different ID.
Multiple snakes seen in area.
A few of this species hidden in a flock of mallards, unseen until I reviewed the photographs.
One shoveler seen all day. In a small mallard herd. Funny how much smaller it is than the mallard--wouldn't have guessed that.
Bird house at (temporary) refuge visitor's center.
Two seen in immediate area. First observation of multiple water snakes this day. Very active in water, patrolling flooded grass clumps.
Not sure if a common or boat-tailed grackle. Q. quiscala vs Q. major.
One of 4-6 snakes seen in area. Very active in water, hunting the many small fish?
4-6 plovers seen in area.
Lone grebe seen, around a couple mallards.
Very happy to see one of these for the first time ever. It was around this area for at least 20 minutes.
Flitting high in the pine trees, this very yellow-bellied bird defied a good photograph of its face.
