A rain delay retrospective…

We’re having a soggy start to the day, here in Estabrook Park, and we’re going out to Anne’s mom’s place later this morning, so I’m not sure I will even get out for a walk before then, let alone have any pictures to show you, so here’s a plan B. These are some of my favorite pictures of the year, so far.

We got off to a great start when I spotted that coyote checking on the mallards who were resting on the river ice back in January, and I’ve already shown you a couple of pictures from that encounter, but here’s one more.

And, while we’re in January, this is one of the nicest winter wren pictures I’ve ever had the good fortune to capture.

In February, I had a mesmerizing experience with this young red-tailed hawk, who really, really wanted whatever rodent was hiding from it in that pile of sticks.

A highlight in March has got to be the screech-owl who came for a visit and stayed for weeks.

In April, of course, I started to see the great horned owlets, although I had to keep them under wraps until the end of May. Sorry about that.

Another April treat, for me at least, was finally getting a decent picture of sandhill cranes flying over. Perhaps they’ll stop in to pay us a proper visit, one of these days.

Spring migration was in full swing in May, so we’ve got dozens of warbler pictures to choose from, but a standout for me was when I got a second chance to take a prothonotary warbler portrait, and here’s one more image from that amazing photo session.

May was also when Mike found us that hummingbird nest during our weekly wildlife walk, and this is still my favorite image from that whole amazing series.

Finally, what would June be without our celebrity guest, the young yellow-crowned night heron. By my count, it attracted at least 80 birders to Estabrook who probably would not have visited otherwise. Nice.

Lastly, June is also when the bugs start to fill in for the migrating birds that have since moved on, so here’s another look at our first ever variegated fritillary in Estabrook Park.