Like the proverbial broken record, the recent gloomy weather in Estabrook Park just keeps repeating. Oh sure, the sun peeks through the thick grey clouds once in a while, it’s certainly not too cold, and it’s not always raining, but I could really go for some crystal-clear blue skies right about now, even if they came with a deep freeze.
Anyway, after the stellar performances yesterday by every bird that I saw, and that ebird.org currently expects me to see “infrequently”, almost nobody wanted any pictures taken today. Perhaps in solidarity, all I could capture of the muskrat on the pond was its backside as it hurried to its burro in the far shore with a mouth full of fresh groceries.
When I first checked on the owl at the river, it was not in at all, but another photographer said that she had just seen it fleeing crows above the far riverbank. Therefore, on my way back south I was quite pleasantly surprised to find it back in its usual spot, even if well hidden. In fact, soon after I took this picture, such as it is, three crows flew in and perched high above it in the next tree over, but they gave no indication that they ever saw it, and they took off to search elsewhere in short order. I hope that means our owl can get a good day’s sleep.
Upon returning to the pond, with nothing but a measly owl picture to show for my hike to the river and back, I found this mallard drake looking suddenly quite stunning.
Finally, the last three wood ducks still haven’t felt the need to flee to a warmer climate, and here’s the drake one more time.
Lastly, this wood duck hen appears to have become so bored with the show that she could barely keep her eyes open.
I’ll be back in Estabrook Park tomorrow morning for our third weekly wildlife walk. We’ll start from the parking lot by the beer garden at 8am sharp, and please feel free to join us, if you’re so inclined. The forecast currently calls for only partly-cloudy skies, seasonably cool temps, slim chances for rain, and almost still air, which makes for great listening.
Signs of Life in Estabrook Park 