The weather continues to get better in Estabrook Park, and I enjoyed plenty of sun and blue skies this morning, despite the occasional cloud. My visit got off to another great start when I spotted this osprey high over the river and just about at eye level with the paved path where it runs right beside the top of the bluff.
A big surprise for the day was finding an American kestrel flying over the baseball field and perching over the beer garden. It sure made the blue jays go crazy. I even saw one give chase for a bit. The last time I got a picture of a kestrel was last September, and it was with a blue jay on one of the radio towers across the river.
I only found one owl this morning, and it was having a close encounter with an eastern gray squirrel. It was not clear who was more afraid of whom.
There was a new flycatcher visiting this morning, and it was this alder flycatcher, on its way to South America for the winter. “Safe travels, sweetie!”
Under the bridge at the far north end, the pigeon chicks appear to be almost all grown up.
The eastern wood-pewees must have had a bumper crop this year, because I’ve been seeing them everywhere lately, and here’s one with a fly.
This chipmunk looks like it is giving its tail the “smell test” to see if it can go another day without washing it.
The trees are starting to fill up with warblers, also making their ways south, and here’s one that I believe is a female Cape May.
Closer to the ground, this gorgeous orchard orbweaver (Leucauge venusta) was working on its own breakfast.
In the thistles beside the southern soccer fields, I found a striking new bee for us, this broad-handed leafcutter bee (Megachile latimanus).
Finally, there were not many butterflies out and about to choose from, so our butterfly of the day will be this clouded sulpher.
Lastly, Anne and I are heading off on another adventure this afternoon, and I am bringing my camera, but it might take a day or two before I have anything to show you.
Signs of Life in Estabrook Park 