The skies were dark and threatening over Estabrook Park this morning, but the temperature was mild, the wind was light, and the rain held off till nearly 10am, so I was able to sneak in and get a few pictures.
The parade of warblers on their way to warmer climes continues, and here’s a northern waterthrush that I found surprisingly far from the river. As you can see in the picture, it was quite dark out, and perhaps the little cutie was just having trouble finding the water.
There were three wood ducks on the pond and another dozen and a half on the river, along with a couple of egrets, but the better action was on shore, and here’s a yellow-rumped warbler going incognito and showing no yellow yet.
I glimpsed a couple of palm warblers and a black-and-white warbler, but they were too quick for me. Thank goodness this black-throated green warbler was operating at a speed closer to mine.
On my way back south, I was stunned to find a flock of ten (10!) northern flickers perched together. Their range map suggests that they’re here year-round, but I don’t believe I’ve seen one over the winter yet, and perhaps this group was debating whether to stay or go. In any case, the flying saucer in the background is part of a stabilizer on one of the guy-wires that supports a radio tower across the river. By the time I moved far enough to get that out of the picture, the group was already breaking up. Oh well.
Lastly, the squirrels and chipmunks are very active lately, and here’s a chipmunk striking a pose that I haven’t seen before. I guess when you freeze, you freeze.
Signs of Life in Estabrook Park 