Author Archives: Andrew Dressel

The park was cool, dark, and full of runners this morning, so there was not a lot to see, but the young night-heron was snoozing again on its favorite branch over the pond. A green heron was trying to fish, but maybe it was having as much trouble with the low-light as I was. AContinue reading “Almost too dark to see.”

This morning got off to a great start in Estabrook when this red-tailed hawk, a fierce-looking beauty, flew across the soccer fields and perched on a light pole right over the southern parking lot. It stayed for a bit and then when back to hunting. At the pond, I was happy to see that ourContinue reading “Plenty of regulars and more migrants just passing through.”

September opened this morning with nice cool air and patches of blue sky in Estabrook. Things were quiet on the pond, as has been the norm these days, with a few mallards, wood ducks, and just one green heron who wished not to be photographed this time. There was no sign of the young nightContinue reading “Welcome to September!”

The blue sky is gone, but the cool temps remain, so not the worst day to visit the park. I was greeted at the pond by this languid cedar waxwing lolling at the top of one of the crab apple trees along the west shore. They have been much more shy than this all summer,Continue reading “Grey skies return”

We got a little bit of a reprieve from the heat and humidity overnight, and the sun came up on a cloudless sky, so it was a great morning in Estabrook. I saw a blue heron on the pond, and maybe it’s the same one Bonnie and I saw yesterday afternoon, but it doesn’t lookContinue reading “The nice weather brings some activity with it.”

The heat and humidity persist, and even the mosquitoes seem to be getting tired of it. “No, no, seriously, we couldn’t drink another drop!” But maybe that was more due to my imagination or the slight breeze this morning. Anyway, a blue heron was on the pond when I arrived, and Lisa said there wereContinue reading “Some regulars, a fun little return, and something new for a change.”

The heat and humidity continue, and some poor running club had one of their long runs in the park this morning, so I was surprised to find a critter about at all, but find some I did. The pond was pretty quiet again, with just five wood ducks, three mallards, and one green heron, andContinue reading “They’re back, Baby!”

Ugh. Cloudy, hazy, 75°, 92% humidity, and I’m running low on bug spray. Plus, I’ve heard through the grapevine that some readers haven’t quite got the knack yet of telling all the herons apart. So, we’re going to take a break from new content today and just review a bit ’cause I’m in charge, andContinue reading “Review Day. Yay!”

The day started off pretty nice in Estabrook, with plenty of humidity, but not much heat yet, and even a bit of sun. The pond was pretty quiet when I arrived, but there were still a couple of ducks on the water, and I soon found both the night-heron and a green heron in theContinue reading “A quick visit before the fog rolled in.”

It seemed as though everyone was taking this morning off, or maybe the humidity is starting to get to them, because there was hardly anyone about, except for the robins, which were everywhere. I did eventually find seven wood ducks, a couple of mallards, one green heron, and our one night heron on the pond,Continue reading “A slow hump day in August.”