July 26, 2016 [LINK / comment]
After searching in vain for the Sandhill Cranes that have been reported north of Fishersville this afternoon, I kept going east through Waynesboro and then decided to pay a brief visit to the nearby Shenandoah National Park. (Gotta get my money's worth for that annual pass!) It was very cloudy, not well-suited for photography, and started to rain as I was leaving. Within a mile of the entry station I saw a Black Bear in the bushes along the road, my first one of the year! At Jarman's Gap I saw an American Redstart or two, plus some Chickadees, a Titmouse, and a White-breasted Nuthatch. I also heard a Cuckoo -- sounding like a Black-billed, but probably a Yellow-billed. I got as far north as the Moorman's River Overlook and caught a glimpse of a hawk (probably Broad-winged) before turning back. I saw families of Red-eyed Vireos and Indigo Buntings at nearby Wildcat Ridge, and another family of Indigo Buntings at McCormick's Gap Overlook. I also saw a Baltimore Oriole there, either female or juvenile. On my way out I saw a bear crossing the road, but it got away before I could take a photo. It appeared to be a yearling, probably the same one as before.
You can see more of today's photos on the Wild Birds yearly photo gallery page.