A BIG Year; So Far

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

I've had a pretty good bird year in 2015 and it is only July. Thanks to Facebook and WV Bird; it is easy to be notified of rarities. I am not going to drive 200 miles to look at gulls through a spotting scope; but there were some nice opportunities nearby. The first of the year was the Snowy Owl near Grafton and I was lucky enough to find it on my first attempt.

The most exotic place I have had to go to this year was Red House, MD for a lifer Upland Sandpiper (actually I drive past that location within a half-mile 2 or 3 times a week), but this was the farthest spot from my house.

In June we got a double whammy. Common Gallinule and a Red-necked Phalarope at the same spot and same time at Stonewall Jackson Lake The gallinule lingered for a while; the phalarope only for a day or so. Last Sunday (6/28) may have brought the most un-expected species to the area and it was only 7 miles away. I never thought one time about seeing a Black-bellied Whistling Duck in Randolph County, WV. But, there they were and once again I want to thank others for timely reporting on social media.

Always remember; the one and only key to seeing good stuff is: You Have To Be There When It Is...

(c) 2015 High Virginia Outdoors Photos (c)2015 High Virginia Images ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Lovely WV

I went to one of my favorite easy dog walking spots today (4/25/15). I hadn't been to this location since early November. Unfortunately, others have apparently been there. I can tell by the sign they left; can you?

Nice, isn't it? All of these photos are from a maybe 15 yard circle and that isn't all of it.Everyone wants to see the pretty pictures.
(c) 2015 High Virginia Outdoors

I Hate That Place

Common Goldeneye

I just wonder if anyone else has a good place to find an occasional odd bird; that they hate going to? It is the Elkins Flood Control area for me. First off, there is too much traffic and the roads are pretty thin except for the main Georgetown Road. Quite often, there are some shady characters hanging around. What I hate most is that I have Never gotten a good photo there.
Good ducks are often found in the calm area just above the bridge, There is a deceptive quick, slick current. Everything is always in motion. It doesn't look that way, but it is. You cannot take a photo from your vehicle because of power lines in your face. When you get out and try to take a  standing photo, you have to shoot between 3 power lines. Sit down and shoot; you say. I tried that yesterday. By the time you get somewhere cleared of broken beer bottles and used needles; you have to relocate your subject.I took 111 shots of this Common Goldeneye yesterday (2/11/15) and none are decent. This is par for the course at this spot, though. Did I mention that I Hate That Place?

(c)2015 High Virginia Outdoors  Photo (c) High Virginia Images ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

A Gandy Creek Afternoon

Gandy Creek

I decided to take a little trip up Gandy Creek today. The primary purpose of the venture was looking for chanterelles; struck out there. There are always things to see and do if you just go. The dogs enjoyed the trip. Of course, Ralphie found another little water snake. I don't know where he got his sudden fixation of snake trailing. The highlight was along the road, just downstream of where this photo was taken; a mink was standing on a log looking at me as I drove by. I dug the camera from behind the seat and was surprised when the mink hadn't moved. I had to back up a little; still there! Just as the camera was focusing, it took off upstream. But, it stopped in some Queen-Ann's Lace and looked back. The camera refused to focus on the mink since the breeze was blowing the flowers slightly auto-focus kept going to the flowers. Oh, well no mink pictures but a nice afternoon anyway. Butterflies were few and far between today, too. There was a Blue-winged Olive mayfly hatch on the middle section of the stream and a few feeding trout. One should always remember that trout are all ready temperature stressed when the water temperature is 70 and above. Leave them alone..They do not need anymore stress and the majority will die; even if they seem OK when you release them.

(c) High Virginia Outdoors 2014
Photos (c)2014 High Virginia Images All Rights Reserved

High Tech Rain Gauge ?

Nope. I was riding through the campground area of lower Glady Fork on Sunday and saw what I first thought was someone's rain gauge that they had left behind. I was wondering why anyone would take such a fancy looking instrument on a camping trip; just for a few days. I figured that it had to be a fairly expensive water collection device.

I walked over for a closer look. It is a Southern Pine Bark Beetle trap This is just another in the long line of pest species that we do not need getting established in our area. I didn't see anything in or around the trap except for ants. That is a good thing. I lived in Southern Pine Bark Beetle country for several years. I do not believe that they could withstand the winters in this area. I know that I have had about all of them I can stand.

(c) High Virginia Outdoors 2014 All Rights Reserved

Randolph County 200 !!

Today (4/2/14) I was able to reach a personal milestone; therefore it was a good day. There was a post on WV Bird yesterday about a Fish Crow at the Elkins/Randolph County Airport. I have been stuck at bird species number 199: since the beginning of the year. I had hoped to add one of the Scoters or a Long-tailed Duck as bird 200. I figured one would eventually show up here. If one did and I'm sure there was one somewhere; I didn't find it. I was kind of counting on finding a Pectoral Sandpiper and still may before the spring is over. That is the great thing about birding, you never know what will show up and you can do it 365 days per year.

I stopped along Ward Road this morning to listen for the Fish Crow, there wasn't even a standard model crow there. I figured I would ride around to the Wilson's Fort marker and try my luck there. Just as I approached the spot, three American Crows flew across the road and when I looked down where they came from; there was the Fish Crow sitting on a roof. I got a real good look through binoculars. I got my camera out, but it flew to the next building and disappeared from view, but it did make its distinctive call when it flew. Oh well, no photo. But I did take time to photo the Wilson's Fort marker. I had never in my entire life stopped to read this. I really never imagined a Fish Crow would be my #200 Randolph County Bird; but I never would have guessed I would see a Sanderling here either. Who knows what will be next? At least we all learned something today!

(c) 2014 High Virginia Outdoors All Rights Reserved

DAMNIT

Horned Grebe (c) 2013 HVI

I knew a dog named that; once upon a time, seems appropriate right now. I was going to Elkins this morning at around 10:30 am. I've been staring at the waterfowl along the Fossil Park straight for a month and there hasn't been much happening. The birds were standing at the water-line as I was passing by. Goose, goose, goose, mallard, mallard...Mini goose, mini goose, mallard, pull over.. Try not to get run over..Not good, too much traffic. Pull out the binoculars, yep..Two Cackling Geese; about an inch taller than the mallards they are surrounded by..Too much traffic and I need to be somewhere else. No problem, they'll still be there in a couple of hours when I come back through..Nope, nothing there around noon..Figures.

Back to Elkins at around 3pm. I have to go somewhere and then have a half of an hour to kill. I ride out to the spillway..Nice; seven Horned Grebes and I can actually get photos of the nearest ones..Happy, now. Head to my next stop and then head home... Decide to check out the slow part of the Tygart River at the road to the Tygart Valley Regional Jail...What is that? I reach down for my better set of bad binoculars and realize that they are still laying on the bridge at the Elkins Spillway. Grab the other binoculars; which are best used for traction in case you may get hung up. Two Bonaparte's Gulls are floating down the middle of the river. Nice. I turn around and fly back to the spillway for the binoculars...Amazingly, they are still there. Head back to Norton; chasing the sun, in hope of getting photos of the gulls. I can't find them but there is another Horned Grebe there, constantly diving. No chance for photos in the dwindling light. Oh, well just another winter day..I hate winter.

A GREAT Waterfowl Week !!

Snow Geese  (c) 2013 HVI

You do not often hear that statement applying to Randolph County, WV. But it has been a pretty good week for seeing waterfowl. As far as I know; there have been sightings of all three Merganser species, both Greater and Lesser Scaup, Redheads, Canvasbacks, Ring-necked Ducks, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Ruddy Ducks, Buffleheads, Wood Ducks and the ever present Canada Geese and Mallards. Today, I found 3 Snow Geese at River Bend Park in Elkins. We never have much as far as high numbers go. But it doesn't get much better than this; around these parts. I did hear some Tundra Swans fly over one day this week, too. Get out there and find something good. You never will know what you may find; if you don't go look. That is guaranteed.

Snow Goose (c) 2013 HVI

A Good Start

(c) 2013 High Virginia Images

Randolph County, WV is not known as a waterfowl hotspot; but you never know what will show up from time to time. This Canvasback sure surprised me. It was at the railroad trestle near Norton, this afternoon. (1/2/13) This location is just above the mouth of Grassy Run (the crown jewel of Randolph County). There were also 2 Lesser Scaup, 4 Buffleheads and 7 Ruddy Ducks present. This was a nice and pleasant way to start off the 2013 birding year. Until this afternoon; I was quite happy with the American Tree Sparrow and the Red-breasted Nuthatch, to begin the year. This may possibly be the first recorded sighting of a Canvasback in Randolph County !!

Little Angels

I was sitting in traffic today, headed west out of Harman on Rt 33. Soon after we got moving again, I saw a dust cloud arrise from the road ahead. An unexpected tree had fallen into the road; luckily it was between traffic strings and didn't hit anything. I knew we were in for another delay and I was getting caught up on paperwork, as I was sitting there. I noticed Ralphie staring to my left, I assumed he was just trying to learn to read. Soon after, Joey started staring that way, too.
   I looked up and there were 2 guys in one of the tree service trucks from Macon, GA. They were staring down and grinning. The driver said something and I rolled down the window. He said that those 2 beagles look like Little Mafia Hit Men; waiting for something to happen. I guess I have the only gaurd beagles in the country. Just look at these little angels.

Our Other Thrushes

Swainson's Thrush (c) 2012 High Virginia Images

Migration time is at its peak, right now. Each morning brings new birds for us to enjoy. The sulking thrushes are often overlooked among the colorful warblers bouncing from branch tips. But, they are here in numbers, too. The song of the Wood Thrush is known to all, Hermit Thrushes are the only thrush that we may find overwintering here. The Veery is very common and unknown to many. Most have not even heard of the other two.

The Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) does nest here in the highest elevations of Pocahontas, Randolph, Tucker, Pendleton and Grant counties. The buffy eye-ring is themajor identification point for this species. The majority of the population nests in the North, in the middle regions of Canada and Alaska. The entire population is on its annual southward move, right now.

Gray-ckeeked Thrush (c)2012 High Virginia Images

The Gray-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus) is the nesting thrush of the Far North. It nests throughout Alaska and Northern Canada. It is a bird of the northern spruce forests. It is distinguished by its partial eye-ring and a duller grayish appearance. It may be found in any overgrown area near you, right now. Like I have said many times before; you never know what you may find, if you just look. Be observant and you will be rewarded.

The photo of the Swainson's Thrush was taken at Camp Garnett on the Rich Mountain Battlefield in Randolph County, WV. The Gray-cheeked Thrush was photographed in my yard in Norton, Randolph County, WV; yesterday.

(c) 2012 All Rights Reserved High Virginia Outdoors-High Virginia Images

Comb Tooth Fungi

Comb Tooth Fungi (c) 2012 High Virginia Images

I was walking the dogs on Wednesday, near the Shavers Fork River in Randolph County and noticed this white fungi on a rotted log. I had seen this species before, but didn't pay much attention to it. I thought it was one of the coral fungi. Comb Tooth (Hericium ramosum) is supposed to be a good edible. It grows on dead wood. Being a very pretty fungi, I didn't even think of it as an edible, until I looked it up. I plan on trying this one if I find some again.

Another Nice Morning

I got up early this morning and drove to Cassity to do an abundance count for the WV Breeding Bird Atlas in the Cassity-6 block. The time spent there was fairly uneventful; nothing unexpected and no rarities. I did record a nice variety at a couple of points. I'm sure that I found a few new species for the block. I haven't had time to look at the previous entries, yet.

On the way back home, I decided to check out Camp Garnett on the Rich Mountain Battlefield property. I have heard a Golden-winged Warbler, or a hybrid of such there twice in the last couple of weeks. I messed around there for about a half hour and gave up. There was just too much traffic. Nothing had a chance to settle down, before another vehicle came through. I headed back toward Mabie; the family of American Kestrels were where I found them last week. I headed on down the road and much to my surprise there was a male Bobolink sitting on the power line. You just don't know how much time I've spent in Canaan Valley; trying to get a good Bobolink photo. Here one is, totally unexpected and 6 miles from home.

I dug my camera out, set some adjustments and turned around. It was still there, but there was nowhere to pull-off. I drove on up the road and was planning on getting a photo out of the window, when I came back down. Of course, it was then gone. It was all ready running through my head to come back tomorrow morning and try again. I still had the window down as I drove down the hill and a baby bird noise caught my attention. I looked over and a young Kestrel was sitting on top of a fence post. I quickly pulled off the road and got out; hoping for one decent photo. I kept walking and pressing the shutter and as luck will sometimes happen, it let me get very close! There was another young one about 100 yards away in a maple tree and both adults were present. There are two successful Kestrel nests in the same area, within a quarter mile of each other, Nice! But still no Bobolink photo.

Posted by High Virginia Outdoors
Photos by High Virginia Images
(c) 2012 All Rights Reserved

I Finally Found Proof !!

The Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) is a newly confirmed nesting species in our region. There have been confirmed reports on the upper Shavers Fork, Dry Fork and Cheat River. These are the first confirmed sightings on the lower Shavers Fork, near Bowden. I saw a lone female at this spot in June of 2009 and have checked it out numerous times since then; with no success. Today (5-27-12) I found what I was looking for! I was walking around near the river at 7:30 am; with my beagle Ralphie and heard a quack. I looked up and there they were, headed downstream and of course, I didn't have my camera with me. So, back to the truck we headed. I was trying to hurry and the truck was a quarter of a mile away. You just can't hurry with Ralphie.  If I remember right; he got tangled up 6 times on the way back. We got the camera and I believe he only got tangled up 4 times on the return trip. We finally got back to the river and I couldn't find the mergansers.
I finally heard them upstream from the original spot. Ralphie and I tried to sneak upstream; but a fisherman spooked them back down toward us. I was able to get a few quick photos as they went by.There were ten young in the group. Confirmed nesting success at last! It has already been a good day.

Posted by High Virginia Outdoors
Photos are the property of High Virginia Images
(c) 2012 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

A Welcome Visitor

I was backing out of my driveway at 12:50 pm today and came eye to eye with a Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), all I can say is WOW. This is the first one I have ever seen in Randolph County, WV. I got several photos, after running into the house to find the camera. This is the best close-up. Bad sun angle and bad background. It was nice to be able to get this close.

Chasing Waves In Randolph County

Randolph County, WV is not exactly the shorebird hotspot of the state. I never once thought about seeing a Sanderling (Calidris alba) here. Rich Bailey; the new state ornitholigist reported seeing some Sanderlings at the Elkins Wal-Mart on the morning of 9/8/11. I did not see his post on WV Bird; until that night. I went the next morning with hopes that they would be hanging around; still.

I arrived at Wal-Mart at first light; the water puddles had already dried up. I sat around a little while and decided to go look for some water. I found a puddle behind the Rent-A-Center. There were 6 Killdeer and 2 Greater Yellowlegs in the puddle. No Sanderlings. I scanned the parking lot and there was a lone Semipalmated Plover sleeping near K-Mart. I was getting ready to go across the road where some new construction is taking place (large muddy area); when a truck came flying through the lot. Two Sanderlings flew into the puddle. Nice. I was able to get a few photos; before a street sweeper came and ran everything except for the Starlings off.

For those who are not familiar with the Sanderling, it is an Arctic breeder and is the little bird that you see chasing waves at the beach. It isn't something that you would expect to find in Elkins, WV. These photos were shot in low light at 800 ISO and are a little on the grainy side. Also; I never post high resolution photos in cyberland. I always shoot RAW files and have high resolution photos available.

Photos by High Virginia Images (c) 2011 All Rights Reserved

Butterfly of the Month/June

Great Spangled Fritillary

The Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele cybele) is a common butterfly throughout the High Virginia's. It is a butterfly of openings near woodland areas. This species can be found from late May - October. There are eight species of the Longwing subfamily that may be found in our area. The Great  Spangled is the largest of the species that we commonly see. Members of this family are long-living; up to six months. Older specimens are often beat up and ragged looking.
The host plant for caterpillars is one of the many violet species. Twenty-seven species of violet are known to occur in West Virginia. This is the reason that the members of the Fritillary family are so widespread. Preferred nectar sources of the Great Spangled Fritillary are milkweeds, thistles and joe-pye weed.
The Butterflies Of West Virginia and their Caterpillars (Pitt Series in Nature and Natural History)
West Virginia Butterflies & Moths: An Introduction to Familiar Species (State Nature Guides)

Posted by High Virginia Outdoors     Photos by High Virginia Images

Wildflower of the Month/June

Canada Lily

The Canada Lily (Lilium canadense) grows in meadows and swamps throughout the region; but is more common in the highlands. This photo was taken in Randolph County, WV.
The Canada Lily is something to be on the lookout for; when you are afield in the High Virginia's during the months of June and July.

Butterfly of the Month/April

Mourning Cloak

The Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa antiopa) is usually the very first butterfly species that we see as Winter is making its retreat.  These big, dark butterflies can sometimes be seen; when snow is still on the ground.  The adult butterfly actually hibernates in our region.  It uses hollow logs and trees for hibernation.  Other members of the angle-wing family do the same.  The Question Mark, Eastern Comma, Gray Comma, Green Comma and Compton Tortiseshell are also hibernators.

Members of this family of butterflies can be found along roads and woodland clearings.  They feed on rotting fruits, tree sap and wet mineral soils.  the first Mourning Cloak that I saw this year was on March 20, on Shavers Mountain.  I saw one last year on the Dry Fork above Harman in early March.

The preferred host plant for the larvae is Black Willow and Weeping Willow.
The Butterflies Of West Virginia and their Caterpillars (Pitt Series in Nature and Natural History)

Posted by High Virginia Outdoors   Photography by High Virginia Images 

Wildflower of the Month/March

Coltsfoot

The Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is one of the earliest blooming wildflowers.  This species was introduced from Europe.  It was first seen in Monongalia County in 1933 and has spread southward and statewide.  Coltsfoot is now a common plant of roadsides and waste areas.

The bright yellow flowers are a welcome sight after months of brown, white and gray.  When you see the Coltsfoot bloom, you know that the Spring Peepers and Spring is on the way.

This photo was taken near Mingo, in Randolph County, WV on March 17, 2011.

Spring Wildflowers In West Virginia