I was reminded of the song "Got-ta Dance" as the cooler morning temperature 
called to me to get up and get out early this morning. Got-ta bird. I'm 
tired of being a prisoner to the heat and insects and am so glad Fall is on 
the way.

First thing at the National Wildlife Visitor Center (South Tract of the 
Patuxent Research Refuge), a Red-Shouldered Hawk provided close and long 
views. It was sitting on the bird box at the intersection of the Loop Trail 
and the Cash Lake trail just before the bridge. It didn't seem to be 
bothered by me as I inched closer and closer. Three times it flew down into 
the grass and three times it returned to the bird box empty-handed. 
Finally, it decided to fly to another nearby birdbox to allow me to pass by 
and continue my walk.

The Whooping Cranes on the Patuxent Research Refuge Central Tract were very 
vocal this morning. It is always musical and mysterious to hear them from 
so far away.

Watched two different pairs of Eastern Kingbirds. One pair remained in the 
trees at the edge of Cash Lake just opposite the restrooms for the 30-45 
minutes that I was in that general area. The other pair was an adult 
feeding its young on one of the osprey-platforms on Cash Lake. The young's 
gaping mouth was so red I thought it had a bright red bug to eat.

I also observed an Indigo Bunting that had captured a dragonfly almost as 
big as itself. It was wrestling it in the gravel path just above the 
fishing pier and was determined to win the battle. It wasn't bothered by 
me, just focused on eating.

Most of the activity this morning seemed to be in the wooded areas 
surrounding the side of Cash Lake where the fishing pier is. I was reminded 
of yet another song "The Boys Are Back", when I noticed a Carolina 
Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, and Downy Woodpecker back together again.

Here's my list.

Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (2, 1 carrying food)
Belted Kingfisher
Eastern Wood Pewee
Eastern Kingbird
Red-eyed Vireo
White-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Baltimore Oriole (3 females)

Marcy Stutzman
Russett, MD