Variegated Fritillary

How is that for a name? I saw two today, in my garden, a first! My guide book tells me that they are likely passing through to Canada. Can't blame them, it's looking like a very hot summer for the south.

Crabbers working Pots

Crabbers spend the morning last week checking pots (cube shaped wire traps) for blue crabs. Monkey Island sits in the background, left; it looks bare but it is a rookery full of egret and heron nests right now.
We have our own crab pots and harvested enough for a fine lunch of steamed crabs today. First of the season! I picked out the crabmeat from the leftover steamed crabs and our fine lunch was matched with a dinner of crab cakes with a side of stir fried Sugar Ann peas fresh from the garden.
It's good eating, whether you buy it or work for it yourself.

Osprey Update

Our Osprey pair were early this year and by their behaviour had eggs early but then lost the eggs. It is a very cold spring. The pair stuck together and to the nest and for the last two weeks they have been sitting on egg(s)? This cloudy morning I spent a bit of time on the pier watching the crabbers and the Osprey pair caught my eye. This is a shot of the pair changing places in the 'sitting' spot. The adult with the wings spread is walking gingerly to the 'sitting' spot.
I have never seen Osprey nest 'again' in the same season but it appears that they are doing just that!

Airship passes By

It's been quite awhile since I've seen an airship traveling our skies. I had to run with my camera to catch a shot. You would be surprised how quickly they do move on.

This airship passed by about 11 am heading north toward the Virginia border right over the Outer Banks.



Here's a cropped version in black and white.



They are just too cool to see. I would love to ride in one.

Flycatcher filling the box

One of our bird boxes was made to specs for the Flycatcher. The Great Crested Flycatcher is a regular summer resident. The 'breep, breep' calls can be heard all along the island. The box has been used before by flycatchers and this year they have taken to it, spending the last few days filling it up.
Pine straw is one of the nesting materials they are using.

Thanks, Mom!

On Friday, we were warm and comfy:


And watched:



So, on Saturday we moved. Thanks, Mom!

Spotted Sandpiper

Not too common on our banks, this bird is in summer plummage today. There was only one and I'm not sure of the sex. It was also very quiet, but did bob the tail.

Chickadee box

A nest box of five chickadees is days away from fledging. The adults had a panic over a snake in a close by bush, fluttering, flying and shrieking. Snake removed, it took them awhile to settle down. Here one of the adults clings to the box still not quite sure that all is okay.