The sun broke out today and I decided to take a quick ride out there for a couple of hours. Of course, this is NOT enough time to see all the hot spots of the park. So, I picked a couple spots since my time was limited - namely the parking lot near Meig's Point Nature Center and the beach in front of the Pavillion.
As I exited I-95 Northbound at exit 62, I caught sight of three Black Vultures flying overhead. They are considerably smaller than their Turkey Vulture cousins. I drove slowly scanning the roadside but didn't see much. The sun was shining but it was cold and I could only think the birds were hunkered down to avoid the chill.
My first stop was the Nature Center parking lot where there were several photographers looking into the grassy area. There, I saw the small birds moving about. I gathered my camera and walked slowly down the trail along the side of this spot and here I met up with a couple birders. There were Snow Buntings and Horned Larks along with a Lapland Longspur. The later bird I saw through a scope set up by naturalist, Gina Nichol, and I was not able to get pictures of it.
After a short encounter with a male Red-winged Blackbird, I headed back up the trail to the parking lot and drove down to the end lot and walked to the moraine trail. I didn't go up to the look out area but set up my camera and tripod aiming out over the rocks. There, I saw a few Common Loons, a trio of Greater Scaup, and a male Red-breasted Merganser.
What a truly beautiful trip it was, despite being short and a much needed breath of fresh air!