Andrew Dressel

Some Estabrook mysteries solved

First up, fairly new subscriber and self-described “super sleuth”, Mark Beske reports that he has seen the canada geese and goslings at Hubbard Park, just a bit down the river from Estabrook. Anne supposes that they went there for the excellent take-out fish fry, but I noticed that the beer garden was open yesterday, soContinue reading “Some Estabrook mysteries solved”

Arrivals and departures in Estabrook

Well, the birds start coming, and they just keep coming… Yesterday, I was taking a second quick spin before supper and spotted something in the branches down the bluff from the path where it passes right next to the road. It wasn’t moving a lot, so I pulled out my camera to see if IContinue reading “Arrivals and departures in Estabrook”

Big changes afoot at the pond

The goslings were all gone this morning. There weren’t even any mature canada geese at the pond when I arrived, until 3 flew in from the west. I counted 10 strapping young goslings there yesterday morning, and here’s hoping that they all just outgrew it and hiked themselves down to the river. Bon voyage, mes amis!Continue reading “Big changes afoot at the pond”

More new arrivals in and out of the park

Welp, the can of worms is out of the bag now! Here’s another amazing image sent in this time by keen reader Betty Koepsel from out in Oconomowoc. The accompanying story goes like this:”Sweet teeny newborn found in the grass about 10 feet from our vegetable garden… almost run over with a lawnmower…mom is near,Continue reading “More new arrivals in and out of the park”

Reader photo of the day

I know, I know, this is supposed to be all about the flora and fauna of Estabrook Park, but we made an exception for the great horned owl and owlets, with good reason I believe, and we’re going to make a similar exception this morning for this amazing shot sent in by an avid reader.Continue reading “Reader photo of the day”

Drama at the pond

The drizzle took a break for a bit yesterday, and I stepped out to stretch my legs. There were plenty of critters about, but nobody wanted to sit still for me until I made it to the pond, where Ol’ Blue was intent upon rustling up some lunch. Suddenly, a second Great Blue Heron drifted in, andContinue reading “Drama at the pond”

Rerun Monday in Estabrook!

Water is still falling out of the sky, so I’m dipping into the archives, all the way back to April 11, for a never-before-seen image. The colors are pretty drab, but there goes a pair of wood ducks, a male hooded merganser, and a pair of blue-winged teals in some kind of multi-species smorgasbord on our little pond. Man, thoseContinue reading “Rerun Monday in Estabrook!”

Gettin’ a real soakin’ at the park

The skies are so dark, the streetlights are still on, and so there ain’t gonna be no new pictures today. Instead, I’m sure all the critters at the pond will be thrilled to have the day off for a change. Anyway, just to tide you over, here are a couple images from Estabrook that didn’tContinue reading “Gettin’ a real soakin’ at the park”

Some new color in Estabrook

So you’re sick of the brown toads and mushrooms, eh? Well I told you not to eat them. Anyway, here’s some color for a change. That’s a pretty little wild geranium just opened, and here’s a female yellow-rumped warbler adjusting her feathers. Meanwhile, I’ve spotted hummingbirds in the park and a little mammal swimming in the pond, but haveContinue reading “Some new color in Estabrook”

More new arrivals in the Park

I know what you’ve all been thinking.“Birds are fine, mammals are nice enough, reptiles will do, and we’ll even allow a fish or two, but where the heck are the amphibians, for Pete’s sake? How about a newt, a salamander, a frog, or even a pollywog for a change? Come on, man, you’re better thanContinue reading “More new arrivals in the Park”