We knew it couldn’t last forever, and today was the day that our recent streak of beautiful weather had a hiccup. The skies were still clear, but there was a stiff breeze out of the south, which added a layer of white noise to the soundscape in Estabrook Park. Oh well.
The mammals seemed to be taking the day off, but this green heron didn’t seem to mind too much, and it was back at the north end of the pond this morning. That red blob it appears to be contemplating is actually a leaf in the foreground, so not in front of its face at all, but it did take some adjusting for me to get even that much separation between them.
As I expected, the falls looked exactly the same today as they did yesterday, with the small exception of this solitary sandpiper who had joined the young spotted I’ve been seeing there, and it did one heck of a job blending in with the exposed river bottom.
At the north end, I did see a mature bald eagle, who gave me a flyby close enough that I could hear the air rushing past its wing feathers as it flapped, and a Cooper’s hawk, but the only presentable picture I managed, if you can call it that, is of this female ruby-throated hummingbird perched high over the meadow.
Speaking of the meadow, the Parks Department, in their infinite wisdom, have mowed it again, and this time they mowed a little more than last time, but still less than the first time, so it isn’t a complete disaster. At least there is enough chicory left to attract this pretty carrot seed moth (Sitochroa palealis), who I believe we are seeing for the very first time. In fact, I read that “in 2002 the first specimen was reported in the United States,” so “welcome to Estabrook, I guess.”
Another newbie, at least for us in Estabrook, is this wild indigo duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae), whom we have seen before, but only in Connecticut so far.
The, or a, red-spotted purple is still hanging around the cup plant blossoms at the southwest end of the dog park, and this time it lined its left wings up just right with the sun to give us an amazing look at the surface texture. It looks even better if you click on the image to see and zoom in on a full-resolution copy hosted by flickr.
Lastly, I stumbled upon the star of today’s show as I was trying to get a red-spotted purple picture. If you’ve been wondering, as I have, where the heck are the eastern tiger swallowtails, well, we don’t have to wonder any more. At least this one was also enjoying the cub plant blossoms by the dog park. By that point, the wind had picked up a bit, and the tall stalks were swaying back and forth like drunken sailors. But at least the light was good, I could crank up the shutter speed, and I think this one came out pretty okay.
Tomorrow morning, the Milwaukee Birders plan to visit Bender and Lake Vista Parks, where they intend to “focus on finding shorebirds,” and I hope to join them. So, come on out with us, and either way, wish me luck!
Signs of Life in Estabrook Park 