The Eastern Bluebird (Sialia Sialis) has some amazing color and can be a real standout if you spot it among the green leaves and brown branches of a tree. It’s an all-year species in Maryland, and so far, I have … Continue reading
The Black-and-White Warbler (Mniotilta varia) is a small songbird that acts more like a woodpecker or nuthatch than it does a Warbler. Even its breast markings and wing pattern are similar to a Hairy Woodpecker, but its longer bill and … Continue reading
The Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) is a … Ok. Is it just me, or does that scientific name looks like it came from a Coyote-Road Runner cartoon? “Sandwichensis?” Really? It’s a sparrow, and there are a lot of sparrows out … Continue reading
The Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a fairly common canine scampering around Maryland. I have seen Red Foxes at Eastern Neck Island, Blackwater Refuge and come across tracks in other areas including Canal WMA. The Fox is usually pretty quick … Continue reading
The Flesh Fly is a nasty looking character in the (Sarcophagidae) family of flies. I had to do some searching online and in books to find him out and when I did; I learned that these suckers carry nasty diseases … Continue reading
The Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) is a medium-sized, predatory bird in the hawk family. The Northern Harrier can range in all parts of Maryland year round. The one in the photo above was photographed in January at Eastern Neck Island National … Continue reading
The Red-Bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinas) is a small member of the Woodpecker family very similar in appearance to a Sapsucker. This photo was taken from some distance and in mid-peck, but I’m going with Red-bellied for a few reasons. The … Continue reading
The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a large, brown and white predatory bird similar in appearance to many hawks. The Osprey was a threatened species at one time, but I think its doing pretty well now, with populations across much of … Continue reading
The wild horses at Assateague Island State Park, as they are most commonly known, are actually feral horses. Feral is a word used to describe species which may be wild now, but are descended from ancestors species that were once domestic. Now that we … Continue reading
The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a tall, white, wading bird very common in the state of Maryland. On the scale of commonality, I would have to rank this one right up there with the Great Blue Heron. It’s like, … Continue reading
The Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) is a medium-sized butterfly with a bright color and recognizable markings. It’s easy to see where this guy gets his name. The striped pattern on its upper and lower wings is very zebra-like. My impression … Continue reading
The White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) is a southeastern hairstreak with a distinctly marked hindwing and beautiful top wing. The White M is a medium size butterfly, but would probably be considered large for a hairstreak. It is not very common … Continue reading
The Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon) is part of a family of small gray butterfly with a very similar appearance and a range throughout North America. Range maps I have seen on the Azures have them up to Alaska, across much … Continue reading
The Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) is one of three dark swallowtail butterflies extremely common in Maryland. I think that I may see the Spicebush more often than the Black and Pipevine swallowtails, but it’s so hard to know. The Spicebush … Continue reading
The Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) is a small and quick butterfly that is very common throughout the state. It is also fairly easy to identify as the markings of butterflies in the white family are usually quite prominent. The Cabbage … Continue reading