50mm macro lens = dodgy prospect for live/stinging insects. Worked out ok for these shots of beautiful Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens) x Butterfly Bush (probably Buddleia davidii), Williamsburg, VA.
B Parts (I)
Redstart @ Scott
Recent shots of a beautiful male American Redstart at Scott Park, Millcreek Twp (“Gateway to Presque Isle”):
Scott Park – with its canopy of tall trees/mature forest, always a good spot for American Redstart through the summer.
Introducing… The Beetle
Bonus beetle post of an excellent recent sighting of Eastern Eyed Click Beetle (Alaus oculatus) on a dead tree at Budny Beach, Presque Isle State Park. Fairly large insect @ 4.5 cm (approx).
Coon On The 4th of July
Dateline: 4 July 2023
A rare daylight, “not road kill” sighting of Eastern Raccoon (Procyon lotor lotor) on July 4th along the Gull Point ‘outer old trail,’ Presque Isle State Park.
How these things usually turn out:
Fortuitously, this beautiful female re-crossed the trail in plain sight (yay!):
A Snack For Crow(s)
American Crow (or possibly Fish Crow*) carrion scavenging behavior x CIF (crow in flight), Colonial Nat’l Historic Parkway, VA:
*ID Note: both American Crow and Fish Crow positively identified on the recent BirdingPI.com ‘road trip’ in Virginia, via the great Merlin app:
Powerlines
Two powerline corridors deliver electrical power from Surry Power Plant to Richmond, VA, etc. Both cross the Carlisle Tract (interior) portion of Hog Island WMA = a great space of open brush/shrubbery for birding.
These shots from the recent BirdingPI.com ‘road trip.’ First up, lovely Indigo Bunting, both male and female:
Lucky to see this beautiful Yellow-breasted Chat:
More male & female Indigo Bunting:
Flurry of activity w/ multiple species. Here, Carolina Wren (left), Blue Grosbeak (female – middle), Indigo Bunting (female – right):
+ Yellow-breasted Chat (bottom right):
Carolina Wren (right) + Yellow-breasted Chat (left):
Male Blue Grosbeak made a quick appearance:
More Indigo Bunting (m):
ID tip: Male Blue Grosbeak = chestnut wingbars + larger bill; male Indigo Bunting = black accents + smaller bill.
Location note: these shots taken at the designated parking area here (blue circle/arrow). Accessing this location does not require security check-in.
Bembix americana
Dateline: 4 July 2023
Celebrating US Independence Day with a bit of ‘americana,’ namely American Sand Wasps (Bembix americana spinolae). These recent shots at Presque Isle State Park @ ‘Pine Tree Meadows.’
Plant note: several species of Milkweed in the eastern US look similar. This location (‘Pine Tree Meadows’) is sandy/dry/open = suggests Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) as opposed to, e.g., Sulivant’s Milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii) or Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), which prefer wetter conditions.
Hog Wild (II)
Part II of the recent BirdingPI.com ‘road trip’ visit to Hog Island WMA, Surry, VA.
Awful/blurry shot, but great to see/hear a Northern Bobwhite – a BirdingPI.com ‘first time anywhere’ sighting:
The Bald Eagle does not like being spied on:
Excellent to see both male and female Blue Grosbeak:
Considering the location, this is likely Carolina Chickadee:
Coming up soon, Part III/final of Hog Island!
R-bG
Been receiving complaints about the recent paucity of gull coverage. So, here’s a combination of recent and spring shots of Ring-billed Gull @ Presque Isle State Park:
Chicka-something
Dateline: 24 June 2023
Shots from a quick visit to Chickahominy WMA, Charles City County, VA. Fascinating area of mostly woodland (pine/oak) with access to the Chickahominy River/tributaries, e.g., view of Morris Creek from the boat ramp:
Probably Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) dragonfly:
A highlight of the BirdingPI.com ‘quest for pelicans’ road trip = multiple sightings of lovely Carolina Wren:
Closing it out with a great sighting of beautiful female Summer Tanager:
