Mead Gardens, 4/1/2012
Hermit Thrush I drove by Mead Gardens on my way home today. I spent about 45 minutes there just to see if I could find anything interesting. I only saw about 18 species there, but I did see my first Hermit Thrush of the year. One of the Wood Ducks was out in nice light, a Barred Owl was out keeping watch, a Carolina Wren put on a little concert for me, and a Red-Shouldered Hawk flew by with a duckling in its grasp. I heard at least one Northern Parula but never found it; I think it was across the stream on private property. Wood Duck Red-shouldered Hawk with Duckling It was also fun to photograph species other than birds today. I got my first photographs of a Long-tailed Skipper, and a wonderful dragonfly I can't identify perched for me. There were two Red-eared Slider turtles on a log that were in just the right light. I see them there often, but they seem always to plop into the water when I get ready to take a picture. ...