The crazy weather has finally moved on, and it was a nice and seasonable morning in Estabrook Park, with no rain, partly cloudy skies, and a mild breeze.
My first surprise of the day came very early when I spotted a pair of cedar waxwings picking berries with a bunch of robins at the far south end. I haven’t seen one since September, and I wonder where they hid in October.
At the river’s edge, I found another winter wren and managed to sneak a picture, but it only gave me that one chance, so we’re stuck with that stick through the middle of the picture.
I wasn’t too surprised to see the osprey fishing over the river again, but the folks at ebird.org sure were, and they asked to see a picture. Luckily, the hungry bird gave me a few chances, so I had a nice one to upload. Perhaps this osprey is still using the Julian calendar and just doesn’t realize that it’s already November.
The swamp sparrows are also supposed to be thinning out, but the ones in the grass beside the river and a bit upstream must still be finding plenty to eat.
The great blue heron was in its new favorite spot again, but I was able to reach it from the sunny side this morning.
The phoebe was also still about where I saw it yesterday.
As were the wigeons, and here’s the drake, …
and here’s the hen, but I could not find a gadwall today.
Instead, mixed in with the mallards and wigeons was another bird we haven’t seen since September, this stunning hooded merganser.
Finally, there were still a few wood ducks on the pond, although I didn’t see any photographers again. Perhaps they have gotten their fill for the year.
Lastly, now that it’s a new month, I can show you one more clouded sulphur, the only butterfly I still see flying.
Signs of Life in Estabrook Park 