It was a perfect winter morning in Estabrook Park, with an inch or two of fresh fluffy snow, which I believe is called “powder” in some cultures, temps in the mid-twenties and dropping, nearly still air, and crystal blue skies.
The first critter I found enjoying it with me was this little red squirrel contentedly gnawing away on its breakfast of black walnut.
I didn’t see any odd ducks on the river today, I am sorry to say, but I was thrilled to spot our first red-tailed hawk of the month. Even better, there were two of them, but maybe it’s a new relationship, and they are still shy about it, because they didn’t give me much of a chance to capture them together. Instead, here’s a picture of the one that stuck around for a while.
Although the air was “nearly still”, the snow on the branches was so light and fluffy that almost any movement at all would cause a mini flurry, and here’s a dark-eyed junco caught in one. The reddish background is from the red brick of the old Eline’s Chocolate Company building across the river from the northwest corner of the park.
As I was looking in vain for odd ducks, look who I spotted up on the ice, our first muskrat since the pond froze over.
As I made my way back downstream, this white-breasted nuthatch was kind enough to give me a “heads-up” with a couple of soft “yinks“. “Thanks, Buddy!”
The bushes by the pond were mostly filled with house sparrows and house finches, but I did see this one white-throated sparrow filling up on dark purple berries.
Finally, this American robin was filling up on that fresh snow, instead.
Lastly, the forecast calls for 20°F, cloudy skies, and 3 mph winds at 8 tomorrow morning, so conditions should be good for spotting wildlife. Thus, if you come on out, and I hope you do, just make sure you dress for the weather and trail conditions.
PS: if you are still mystified by the new image arrangement I’m using, please see my explainer at https://signsoflifeinestabrookpark.net/images/
Signs of Life in Estabrook Park 