Hello Everyone,



I had the chance to do a little birding today, stopping in at Fort McHenry
and Halethorpe Pond (Patapsco Valley SP, Baltimore County). The BRANT were
still present at the fort, and were both easily located and approachable.
They were grazing in the grass between the seawall and the fort, and didn't
seem to mind passersby in the least. I took some time to enjoy the close-up
looks and a crisp and windy morning on the water. Never skip the step where
you stop home to get the camera! :-) Also present were two female
BUFFLEHEADS, my first of the season.



I then headed to the big Halethorpe pond for a quick hike, where my
highlights were eight GADWALL, three more female BUFFLEHEADS, and good looks
at a very vocal PILEATED WOODPECKER. Brian Sykes, a local birder and
photographer I met there, had also seen a small flock of RUSTY BLACKBIRDS
and a couple HOODED MERGANSERS.



On the way out, I ran into Bill Ellis, who hopefully found all the other
good stuff that showed up after we left. :-)  Nice meeting you, Bill. :-)



Have a great weekend!



Bill



Bill Hubick

Linthicum, Maryland



www.billhubick.com <http://www.billhubick.com/>