Ol’ Blue Returns…

The big news in Estabrook this morning is the return of a great blue heron (Ardea herodias) to the pond. As I was walking across the middle parking lot, I thought I heard geese above, and looked up just in time to see a pair of herons glide overhead.

I had a hope that at least one might stop in for a quick bite, after such a long flight, and so I hustled over to the water, as quick as my little legs would carry me, and this was my reward.

I watch him or her lance the water twice and come up empty, but I did get lucky enough to witness this impressive display. Man, that morning sunlight just makes everything nice, doesn’t it?

Almost all of the usual cast of characters were also there: geese and goslings, wood ducks and mallards, blackbirds and grackles, and even one painted turtle was up on a log already.

Next, I checked in on our robins, and she is still stuffing worms into her chicks. Plus, now we can clearly see three beaks wide open, one for each egg, and one even appears to be opening its eyes. Yay!

I like how she looks me right in the eye just before and just after.

Here’s Mom or Dad gathering even more grub. Mmm, mmm, good! Long-time reader Lois suggested that the recent rains probably have made that job a lot easier.

Further north along the river, I finally found a palm warbler who was willing to sit for a portrait.

And here, at last, is a northern waterthrush willing to do the same.

You can really see the family resemblance with those two, eh?

Lastly, a handsome male hairy woodpecker was far to interested in what was under that bark to be worried about little ol’ me.