It was a dark and dreary morning in Estabrook Park, but the clouds were never as leaky as the big green blob on the radar suggested they were, so I was still able to take a couple of pictures.
This first one is not much of a portrait, what with me having to over-expose it so much just to see the bird that the sky becomes nearly white, but it is a picture of a rare and coveted visitor: the red-headed woodpecker. I believe I’ve only captured images of one in the park twice before: here and here. This time, I was alerted by its call, which I don’t believe I’ve ever heard before.
My next stop was at the pond, and the surprise waiting for me this time was this very sleepy mallard hen who looked for all the world like she was sheltering something or someone. I didn’t want to wake her, so I never got to see what or who it was, but I bet it rhymes with “ducklings.” Outstanding!
Back at the river, the fresh batch of goslings were almost in the same spot as yesterday, but just a bit closer to shore so we can get a stronger does of that cuteness.
There were a ton of warblers in the trees, especially at the river, but it was sprinkling enough that I didn’t dare aim my camera that high. Instead, here are a couple more sights closer to the ground. The Virginia waterleaf is starting to blossom.
And so are the wild strawberries. Yum!
Since I’ve got the room, let me show you a few more pictures from yesterday. Here’s a Baltimore oriole playing all coy with the camera.
Here’s that palm warbler again from a different angle.
Here’s a blue-headed vireo who might be wishing it could catch a nice big and juicy dragonfly but hasn’t yet this morning.
Finally, here’s a fairly uncommon Lincoln’s sparrow, whom I’ve only ever been able to show you three times before: here, here, and here.
The sun is currently forecast to reappear tomorrow morning, meteorologically speaking at least, so keep your fingers crossed!
Signs of Life in Estabrook Park 