A Red Head Question

The mammal question from yesterday's blog has been answered. It was a MUSKRAT.

Now, another mystery to unravel. What do you think about this poor RED HEADED WOODPECKER that I photographed today at MERKLE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY?Territory dispute?Did this RED HEAD simply become prey?Or was this woodpecker just too old?Do you have any ideas? And just so you are not depressed after reading this, I threw in a photo of just one of the many ALIVE RED HEADED WOODPECKERS still enjoying the Merkle swamp. And for kicks, how about a singing FIELD SPARROW?Which reminds me... I've got to get to my gig. I'm singing tonight at Domenica's in Annapolis!

-Dan

Leaves and Fallen Trees? Even better... American Woodcock.

It looks pretty much like a log, some leaves and a bit of mud.But upon closer inspection you'll notice the AMERICAN WOODCOCK lurking on the hill.This bird flushed while I was searching (unsuccessfully) for a BOHEMIAN WAXWING within the enormous flock of AMERICAN ROBINS and CEDAR WAXWINGS. I know, you think I'm crazy for looking for such a bird here in Maryland. But yesterday we had two COMMON REDPOLLS visit our county. Why not a 'COUNTY BOH' here in the land of pleasant living?

In order to understand that reference, I suppose I should inform you that National Bohemian Beer was originally brewed in Baltimore, MD (the land of pleasant living, as it stated on the can!). We locals have always referred to it our local affordable brew as 'NATTY BOH'.I was more than delighted to capture this elusive bird this during my two hour hike around Greenbury Point this morning.

Other birds seen during my little adventure: WHITE CROWNED SPARROW, FIELD SPARROW, BROWN THRASHER, RED SHOULDERED HAWK and one slightly inebriated, yet still rather wary BUFFLEHEAD.Bud, the king of empty floating beer cans! I do hope that this BUFFLEHEAD will not forget to recycle his empties.Finally, I'll leave you with two photos of a RED SHOULDERED HAWK from this morning. Perhaps you will recall a post from earlier this winter when I kayaked through the thick mud of Back Creek here in Annapolis in order to save the life of a RED SHOULDERED HAWK? Well, I have great news about this particular raptor. After a month or so in rehabilitation, this hawk is ready for release. If you'd like to watch the big event, please feel free to stop by the Greenbury Point Nature Center at 1:30PM sharp this Monday afternoon. Linda Moore, from the Smithsonian Institution and the Virginia Raptor Conservancy (where the hawk was given a thorough washing after it's mud bath), will be letting this hawk fly off back into it's own familiar, and hopefully less-muddy, territory within the Annapolis area.Good Birding,

Dan