We got some snow overnight in Estabrook Park but not a lot, only an inch or so, and it’s above freezing out, so I don’t think it will stick around for long. With a pretty thick cloud cover, the day took its time getting light, so I was out later than usual. Luckily, the snow seemed to discouraged some folks from visiting, or kept them to the pavement, so I had the river trail mostly to myself, which is always a treat.
I didn’t see or hear any winter wrens or red-winged blackbirds this morning, but I was relieved to find our American coot waiting for me in its usual spot. I must have spooked it at first, and it started to swim off before I could take a picture. But it soon calmed down and swam right back to where it had been standing. It even turned its head for me so what little light there was could light up its pretty dark red eye for us.
At the far north end, there was a Cooper’s hawk perched high above the meadow, and perhaps I’ve finally learned to show enough deference because it let me walk around to the north side of it so we could see that gorgeous chest.
Meanwhile, out on the water, all the common mergansers appear to have moved on, at least for today, but the red-breasted merganser drake was still fishing in the waters around the northern island.
Finally, by the pond, I almost got a nice picture through the sticks of one of the white-throated sparrows that have begun to sing there on occasion.
Signs of Life in Estabrook Park 