A frenzy in the river…

It was 60°F at 5:30 this morning when I arrived at Estabrook Park. Woo hoo! Summer really is here, at least for now, and it appears that all this warm weather has made the carp in the river feel quite frisky. They were really stirring up the water today.

While I was trying to get a good carp picture for you, a beaver steamed by, and by the time I turned my attention its way, I found that there were two of them in the water. You can just make out the tops of their head and their little round ears in this image.

One stuck around for a snack while the other moved on.

As I continued north, I found a great crested flycatcher willing to give us a glimpse of his creamy yellow belly.

At the north end, there was no eagle today, I am sorry to report, but I did find the mallard hen and her trio of ducklings. Notice how she’s got her steely gaze fixed on me, and the ducklings seem so oblivious that one appears to be scratching its nose with its toes. Kids these days…

On my way back south, I could find no trace of the wood duck ducklings, which I can only hope is good news, but I did find a family of Canada geese with goslings looking almost all grown up.

Back at the south end, I found a rose-breasted grosbeak not busily stuffing its beak, for a change.

To be perched on such bare twigs and singing his heart out, he must have other pressing matters on his mind.

Finally, the indigo bunting was in his usual spot, so I took my usual near-portrait.

Lastly, it appears that this year’s spring migration is finally over. I heard just three warblers yesterday and only one today, a common yellowthroat. To mark the occasion, here’s one last look at a yellow warbler from Saturday. “See, ya in the fall!”