The first fun surprise today was finding a quartet of least sandpipers on the exposed river bottom around the upstream island. We haven’t seen them since last spring, and they must have been quite hungry because they were hustling around much more than the spotted sandpipers or killdeer usually do. Luckily, I was able to catch this one standing still for a moment.
The rough-winged swallows were in the same tree but on a different branch today, , which enabled me to get a closer look.
I didn’t see a single goose yesterday, so I was glad to find this nice gaggle on my way back downstream today, but I was even gladder to spot a few wood duck ducklings trying to take a nap right in the middle of them. If you don’t see them, look closer. They’re right in the middle of the picture.
This image is actually from yesterday, but I wanted to confirm my identification before I showed you. Today, however, I’m thrilled to announce that this really is our very first black-and-gold bumble bee (Bombus auricomus) and our eighth bumble bee species in Estabrook. Woo hoo!
Finally, if I had to guess, the first brood of monarch butterflies that hatched in Wisconsin this year is just now emerging from their chrysalises because, after I have failed to capture a single one on film yet this year, there were suddenly three shiny, new individuals leisurely sipping nectar from the thistle blossoms beside the southern soccer fields. At last!
I see that the heat wave must really be over, at least in Estabrook Park, because it’s supposed to be in the 60s tomorrow morning and then only in the 70s later in the day, and I can’t wait to see who that brings out.
Signs of Life in Estabrook Park 
Brilliant series.
LikeLike