North Lake Jessup Has New Name

First off, I am disappointed with my horrible shots on this trip but I thought it was worth a post anyway. Exposure off? Was it the heavy winds blowing me off balance in the mud? Who knows. It is always fun to get out to Lake Jessup on most occasions, though. Most birds were far away so the close cropping doesn't help, either.

Also, it seems that what I knew as the North Lake Jessup Conservation Area has a new name. It is now the Lake Jessup Marl Bed Tract. OK.

I was hoping for some fun sparrows or maybe the return of the Vermillion Flycatcher but didn't get any of this species. Did find a lot of Savannah Sparrows all along the lake's edge.



Running along the cattle paths were several calling Eastern Meadowlarks. Always a great sound to have as background ambiance.



There were many shorebirds resting and feeding in the muddy, shallow water just past the pasture grasses.



Also resting by the water was a large group of Caspian Terns and Ring-billed Gulls. First time I have seen the Caspians there.



Started to hear a rumbling off in the distance and then realized it was an air boat approaching on the far side of the slough. I watched as it spun around and then made its way over to where I was. Eventually, it swung around toward the enclosed area where all the birds were trying to get some rest. It then sped straight through this spot which caused all of the resting birds to take flight to avoid this very loud intruder.

Ah, humans...



Eventually, several Forster's Terns rose up and began feeding, using the wind to aid them to hover before diving down for a fish.



This is a really bad exposure but pretty interesting and I didn't notice it until processing the photos. Notice that the bird is in its usual flying position but its head is completely upsidedown!



Best discovery of the day was an American Avocet which was back behind the reeds when I first spotted it and then it flew from that spot and then passed out in front of me out over the lake.



The larger bird was overtaken by one of the many Killdeer patrolling the lakeside before coming to rest in a new feeding spot.



Though it was one of my first discoveries, this Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake resting in the grass near the parking area was a nice surprise.



Beautiful but deadly. The snake did not move as I took photos and was gone by the time I returned to the van.



Can't wait for another trip to this excellent birding area. Sans air boat...