Hey guys,
I left my home just after 5am to arrive at Cambridge right at sunrise. I started off my day at the Cambridge Visitor Center. The restrooms were locked first thing in the morning, so I decided to walk along the river. I was able to get very close to a few Long-tailed Ducks (my favorites :-)). Afterwards I went across the Choptank to hunt down the Barrow's Goldeneye. First I saw a pair of drake Common Goldeneyes, but then I noticed about 20 Buffleheads with 2 Goldeneye hens.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/75557613@N08/8285225249/in/photostream
I had found the Barrow's Goldeneye! Not too long after I spotted her near shore, she had flown out towards the middle of the river. Later while I was walking back towards the fishing pier, I saw her under the pier so naturally I walked down the pier and was rewarded with pretty good pictures. Also met Mark Johnson who happens to be from Aberdeen, MD. Small world!
After a trip to Tilghman Island I went up to the Holiday Inn at Kent Narrows. I arrived literally right after Jim Stasz. A woman named Suzanne was already there for more than an hour without seeing the Tufted Duck. Jim said that the bird was there earlier, but after scanning for a few minutes Jim hadn't seen the duck again and thought that maybe she had flown off with the 60 or so Lesser Scaup that were no longer there. Just after he left I was able to scope out the Tufted Duck. She dove most of the time, but for a 10 minute period she sat still and I was able to get the TUDU in the scope for Suzanne. A life bird for both of us. Here's my flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/75557613@N08/
Sorry it was so long, but it was quite the exciting day.
Good birding,
Joshua Emm
Havre de Grace, MD
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