Welcome to September!

September opened this morning with nice cool air and patches of blue sky in Estabrook. Things were quiet on the pond, as has been the norm these days, with a few mallards, wood ducks, and just one green heron who wished not to be photographed this time. There was no sign of the young night heron that I could see, but a belted kingfisher did stop for a second on a branch where I could see her for a change.

Someone whom we haven’t seen much of lately, a red-bellied woodpecker, stopped on a lamp post and called to get my attention.

And with that, I headed to the river, and on the way, I caught this fresh-looking monarch in the morning sun against some of that bright blue sky,

and this chipmunk who appears to have its cheeks full.

The river was full of mallards, and here’s a pair enjoying some of that morning sun. The male, on the left, has lost his fancy mating plumage for the season and is said to be “in eclipse.” I know how that feels.

There was also one blue heron in adult plumage off the southern tip of the northern island and who might be our expert fisher from earlier in the week.

After heading south along the river, I spotted this chickadee foraging on a tree right by the falls. I hoped it would forage higher to catch a little of that sun, but it would not oblige.

Another bunch of asters is starting to bloom, with a little more purple in them and in front of goldenrod this time, but still without a butterfly, yet.

Finally, as I neared the southern end of the river trail and was not expecting to see anyone else, this young blue heron reminded me to always keep my eyes open.

Lastly, on a logistical note, school starts at UWM tomorrow, in-person for now, and I’ve got a 9am lecture to give, so I probably won’t have a report for you, but I expect to be back on Friday.