Hi Everyone,
 
I got home from work today to the pleasant surprise of a singing Baltimore Oriole in my backyard. I quickly tracked down the beautiful male, an excellent 70th species for the yard. 
 
I also went on a walk around Fort Smallwood, experiencing deja vu when I reached the NE corner of the peninsula. For the second time in 3 days, I found Matt Grey in this exact location assisting a huge Common Snapping Turtle in getting back to the more turtle-friendly side of the fence. Really, what are the odds? 
 
Other noteworthy observations:
 
Green Heron--1
Bald Eagle--1 adult
American Coot--3
Killdeer--3 different pairs performing distraction displays in open areas of the park
Solitary Sandpiper--1 flyby, calling
Spotted Sandpiper--3 on the beach
Great Crested Flycatcher--2
Eastern Kingbird--3
Yellow-throated Vireo--1
RC Kinglet--3
BG Gnatcatcher--5
Myrtle Warbler--6
Yellow Palm Warbler--1
Swamp Sparrow--1
Baltimore Oriole--2
Common Muskrat--1
White-tailed Deer--2; more noteworthy than the deer were peoples' reactions to them.
 
The second was just pointed out by several nice people in a row: "There's a deer up the trail that way!" That's fine--the only funny part is that when I said, "Awesome. Thanks.", a woman turned around and said, "I'm serious! I don't mean the lady's dog!  There's really a deer!" There was in fact a deer.
 
The better story is that while walking across a low, open area, a young buck and I were walking generally toward each other, neither of us terribly interested in the other. He was heading for a drink at the puddle; I was looking for warblers. Suddenly I hear a blood-curdling scream from about 80 yards away: "HEY!  I need your camera!  There's a DEER. RIGHT THERE!" She continued yelling maniacally comments such as "I need your damn camera!  Give me your camera!" until I was out of earshot. They also yelled something from a distance as they left, but I try not to acknowledge crazy people. :)  As a rule, I don't lend them my camera. Matt said he had several exchanges with this special group, and that their child explained menacingly about the deer, "I'm gonna git a gun and SHOOOOT it!"  
 
Good birding,
 
Bill
 
Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

http://www.billhubick.com