I see it has clouded up now and may even rain later, but earlier this morning we had nearly perfect weather in Estabrook Park, with clear skies, mild temps, and still air.
When I arrived at the pond, I was thrilled to spot our first wood duck hen of the season and a second drake, but they disappeared before I could get a picture. Instead, the drake who has already been there for days was happy to oblige.
The red-breasted merganser drake soon dropped in again, and instead of fishing right away, spent some time just relaxing.
Meanwhile, there was a quintet of blue jays making a ruckus overhead, …
and one eventually perched in the clear for a moment.
Red squirrels were active all through the park, and here’s one by the river in the middle of a heated argument with a compatriot.
I spotted a pair of Cooper’s hawks on my short walk yesterday, but I failed to get a picture for you. Happily, here’s one from this morning, instead.
Sure, it’s buried deep in the sticks, so it’s not a great shot, but what makes it picture-worthy, in my opinion, is that it appears to have caught itself a good sized mammal to work on, and I don’t see that every day.
Finally, I also met this white-breasted nuthatch yesterday, and it seemed to be so enthralled by this hole in a tree that it let me take this portrait.
Here it even seems to be inviting me inside for a tour.
Signs of Life in Estabrook Park 