More familiar faces return…

Wowzah, it was warm in Estabrook Park this morning! Skies were crystal clear, so I got out well before sunrise, at 6:20 am, and it was already 52°F and on its way to a forecast 67°F this afternoon.

One critter that was out taking advantage of the unusual weather was this beaver, busily hauling a long, slender stick back to its burrow. Long-time readers may recall that just three years ago during the last week of February, there was still enough ice on the river for a pair of beaver to climb up on it and cuddle.

Another critter trying to capitalize on the early warmth is this grackle, perched high over the river, …

and five of its best friends.

I didn’t see anybody besides mallards and geese at the north end, so I headed to the pond, where I found the wood duck drake whom we first saw on Sunday, but still no hens yet. “Hang in there, Buddy! They’ll get here soon enough.”

The cardinals were quite active at the pond, and here’s one munching on some sumac seeds.

Finally, the dark-eyed juncos have changed their tune recently and are becoming less plentiful. Here’s one who hasn’t left yet and instead has found a prominent perch from which it can sing its new song.