Birds on the Bluff

Amateur Bird Photographer outside of Richmond VA. USA © 2025

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Went on a New Years adventure and was able to visit Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge on the VA/NC border. The roads leading into the refuge was all that was open, the deeper roads all closed to foot and vehicle traffic due to winter migrants nesting. There was not a ton of action on the entrance road but we did come across a huge flock of Juvenile White Ibis. There had to be well over 50 hanging together. I think these may be the same ones we saw in September. As you can see, many are growing into their white feathers. These are fun birds to watch and photograph.

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Oven bird sang his heart out to me then turned to show me his orange crown.

OM1Mark II, Olympus

M.300 F4.0, 1/2000@ f4.0

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The red-eyed vireo is a tiny song bird with a large voice. I love hearing it sing as if hops from tree to tree.

OM1Mark II, Olympus 100-400 F5.0-6.3, 1/320 @6.3

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Prothonotary Warbler hiding in the trees at Three Lakes Park, Henrico County VA

OM1Mark II, Olympus M.300 F4.0, 1/2000@ f4.0

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Yellow-crowned Night Heron in flight

Fort Monroe VA

OM1Mark II, 100-400mm lens 1.5-6.3, set to 400mm length, 1/5000@ f6.3

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Yellow-breasted Chat

These little guys were everywhere at Varina Land Labs (Central Virginia) last weekend! I managed to only snap a few photos because they were super fast and zipping behind the pine needles. Their bright yellow bodies were the key to spotting them. Life bird

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Common Yellow-throat

Lifer for me :)

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Eastern Towhee - Lifer

It took forever (years actually) but I finally got a photo of this one.

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Greater Crested Flycatcher

Merlin App Bird of the Day and a lifer for me all in one.

So many photos to share as have time. This is just one of EIGHT lifers for me this weekend.

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Yellow-Crowned Night Herons

Fort Monroe, Virginia - A few of the shots from my recent visit to Fort Monroe, VA

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Eastern Kingbird - Lifer

Saw this regal one in Hampton Virginia last weekend to add to my life list.

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Oystercatcher Family

A few photos of the Fort Monroe, Virginia Oystercatcher family.

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Female Purple Finch

Beautiful Female Purple Finch on a late winter afternoon.

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Classic Female Cardinal Poses in the Snow

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Female Red-winged Blackbirds

This week, a massive flock of Brown-headed Cowbirds, Starlings, and Red-winged Blackbirds descended on our bird feeders. They quickly emptied them, and I expected them to return over the next few days, but it seems they were just passing through. Interestingly, we’ve never had Red-winged Blackbirds visit the house before, and I’d never seen a female up close. What a stunning bird! It’s rare for the female to outshine the male in appearance, but in this case, the ladies definitely take the prize.

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Pine Warbler - Color against drab skies

Some beautiful color against the grey of the day. I have loved watching the Pine Warblers scurrying around the last few days.

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Killdeer Surprise Photo Shoot

Decided to stop by TCP on the way home this past weekend and was surprised to find Killdeer there. Great surprise as that was one of the birds I really wanted to get shots of this winter.