Our string of picture-perfect weather continues, and there are still enough critters out and about to make a visit to Estabrook interesting.

I thought at first that I would have to report that there were finally no herons on the pond, but our night-heron had simply moved to a new spot on the island.

There were no mallards this morning, but still seven wood ducks, and here are a pair of hens collaborating.

And a couple of young males working alone.

As I was trying to get the night-heron picture above, I noticed there were several robin-sized birds also in that same tree.

It turns out that they are thrushes, but I didn’t get a good enough picture to distinguish between wood thrushes, hermit thrushes, or even Swainson’s thrushes. Heck, I can’t even really see the difference between the pictures on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website. I’ve never seen a group of thrushes like that before, though, so these are probably migrants, which would eliminate wood thrushes, but that’s as far as I can go. Maybe I’ll have better luck next time.

I didn’t see any warblers at the pond today, so I headed to the river, where I spotted our regular blue heron on break.

The three mergansers, probably female or young hooded mergansers, from Wednesday are still there.

And a mallard drake is coming out of eclipse and getting some of its fancy breeding plumage back.

I didn’t see the shovelers again, nor any other exciting new migrants, so I made my way south, and as I stepped onto the boardwalk below the beer garden, I spotted a plastic bag in the river below. I didn’t feel like going to get it because, if you’ve been there you know, I would have to walk all the way to the south end of the boardwalk, climb down to the river, and make my way all the way back to the north end to get that bag. Oh well, that’s how I spotted the beaver that one time last March, so I sucked it up, went after the bag, and this was my reward.

You guessed it! Our first clubtail dragonfly! Yay! There are at least 33 species of clubtail dragonflies in Wisconsin, however, so good luck identifying this one for sure, but I like the looks of the elusive arrow clubtail (Stylurus notatus spiniceps) with those green eyes, don’t you? I wish there was a little more light at the time so I could have closed the aperture a bit and had a little more depth of field, but it takes a while for the sun to reach down to the river there. Oh well.

Finally, as I was wandering around below the boardwalk, I also spotted this tenacious little black-eye Susan growing straight out of the barren rock.

Lastly, but by no means leastly, look what I found as I made one last sweep of the southern parking lot on my way out of the park. Some kind soul already enjoyed three of them and must have wanted me to have the rest! Am I right?

Now that’s some sweet reward, eh?

The weather in Estabrook this morning has snapped right back to beautiful, after all the excitement of yesterday’s downpour, and I hope you get to enjoy it while it lasts.

Life on the pond continues to wind down slowly, despite a nice surprise now and then, and our young night-heron was dozing off in its usual spot…

While one green heron was looking intently for breakfast…

But I saw only three wood ducks and no mallards there today.

In contrast, things remain a bit more lively on the river, and here are a pair of mallards busily foraging in the falls.

Plenty of other regulars were there again, including geese, more mallards, wood ducks, and this blue heron.

A cormorant was back and drying out after a quick dip, and it only has to make it to southern Illinois for the winter, so it has time to dawdle.

The new arrivals I spotted were a trio of mergansers, and here’s one of them. It’s hard to say for sure, but the light cheeks and neck has me leaning towards female or non-breeding male hooded merganser. What do you think?

In any case, two of them soon caught crayfish, and here are a couple shots of the ensuing struggles that came out in focus.

Meanwhile, in the trees right behind me, this pretty little female or immature magnolia warbler (Setophaga magnolia) was hunting up its own breakfast before continuing its long journey to southern Central America.

Here’s a picture, perfectly focused on the branch in the near foreground, that nevertheless shows the distinctive black stripes down its yellow breast and sides.

While I was focusing on sticks, this flycatcher patiently waited in the warm morning sun for me to pay it some attention. These cute pictures are not perfect for identification, but I’m gonna go with eastern wood-pewee anyway.

Lastly, on my swing back by the pond to see if anybody new had shown up, I managed to catch this quick-moving bug hunter deep in the bushes at the north end, and that distinctive black-and-white eye striping makes it a red-eyed vireo, I believe, even though we can’t make out the red eyes. It’s got even farther to go than the magnolia warbler, all the way to the Amazon basin, and I expect it will be on its way soon.

The prize for surprising me this morning, however, goes to this intrepid squirrel, yes, a squirrel, swimming briskly across the river to the southern island. You can even make out its cute little nose and bushy tail. I was scanning ahead with my binoculars, hoping to find a new migrant in the shallow waters between the islands, when I spotted it, and I couldn’t even tell what it was at the time. Only when I could look at the image on my computer did I finally realize what it was. Who knew, right?

And those are all the surprises I’ve got for you today. Till next time.

The air felt even cooler, dryer, and calmer than yesterday with the same blue sky and warm sun, so just a perfect morning in Estabrook. The critters, however, must have heard about the holiday and most seemed to be taking the day off, but some still needed to catch their breakfast anyway, holiday or no. Here are their pictures.

There was a nice bank of fog rising off the pond before the sun came over the trees, so a shot of our young night-heron dozing in its usual spot across the water wasn’t worth the effort. Luckily, there were two green herons, and one was just off the near shore intently staring at the water.

The trees over the north end of the pond, which were humming with activity of all sorts yesterday, were quiet this morning, so I made my way to the river, which had its own layer of fog. Undaunted, I headed north and was rewarded by this sight at the boardwalk below the beer garden.

Yes indeedy, that’s my best hummingbird picture to date and my first of the season despite two previous glimpses recently. I am less thrilled to report, however, that this poor thing was attracted by all the lures and bobbers left hanging from a tree between the boardwalk and the water by careless fishermen. The bird left unscathed, thank goodness, and we can hope that it found the calories elsewhere to replace those spent on all that wasted effort. Until now, I thought those “ornaments” were merely a minor eyesore, but now I see that I must redouble my efforts to rid the park of them. Here are shots of the bird checking out a lure (first, on the left) and then a bobber (second, on the right)..

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Anyway, moving along, once the hummingbird gave up, I was treated to this cardinal busily working on a little clump of staghorn sumac seeds, right on the railing of the boardwalk, while keeping at least one eye trained on me.

Also at the boardwalk is yet another pretty new aster coming into bloom, and this one appears to be smooth blue aster (Symphyotrichum laeve).

At the north end, the shovelers have moved on, the merganser was still there but even less photogenic than yesterday, and one blue heron was fishing.

The trees beside the river were also less hopping than yesterday, but I did spot this one, shy, little Nashville warbler.

In the goldenrod below the trees, a monarch was more interested in soaking up some sun than nectar.

On my walk home, the chipmunks continue their frenzied nut gathering, and when this one spotted me, it froze just long enough for me to take this picture.

Finally, this little wood thrush did just about the same thing.

And that’s a wrap.

What a perfect morning in Estabrook! The air was cool, dry, and calm. The sky was blue, and the sun came out. There was even another running race on the path and the Farmers Market on the parkway. Happily for us, the critters weren’t too put out by the crowds yet, seemed to enjoy the nice weather, too, and so were out in droves.

I stopped by the pond first, and I finally captured an image to show you how the male wood duck ducklings are starting to show some of their colors.

By comparison, the females already have that characteristic white teardrop around their eyes.

The night-heron was still with us and asleep on its favorite branch already.

Long-time reader, Lisa, stopped by and helpfully pointed out the green heron “in the greenery” for me.

This came in super handy when I heard a splash behind me as I was trying to capture some shy little songbird in the trees over the pond, because I knew right what it was and spun around in time to capture this fun sequence.

So, that’s how you swallow a frog whole. Thanks, Lisa! Remember to extend your neck.

Anyway, I did manage to capture that little bird in the trees, and it was a female redstart again.

And this time she showed off her distinctive tail feathers for us.

As we have seen, the squirrels have been quite active lately, and this morning they demonstrated what some of that activity is all about.

That was enough pond action for me, so I headed to the river where I found yet another cormorant.

Which went for a little swim.

And then hung itself out to dry in the beautiful morning sun.

A pair of kingfishers were making a racket over the river, and here’s one taking a quick break.

Further north, between the islands, I spotted a pair of migrants taking a break on their journey south.

Yup, shovelers, and yes, that’s their real name. We haven’t seen them since April, when we learned that their genus name is Spatula. Here’s one of them stretching its wings.

There was another visitor on the river, and this one looks like a female hooded merganser, whom we haven’t seen since July.

There was also a blue heron strolling among the mallards.

The biggest surprise on the water, however, at least size-wise, was this pair of deer making their way to the west side. We haven’t seen river deer since June!

Back on shore, I spotted a pair of flycatchers, and I think the first one is a willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) with a distinct little ring around its eye.

The second one looks more like an eastern wood-pewee (Contopus virens) with much less of an eye ring.

I finally started heading back home, but the fun wasn’t done yet. Here’s our first waterthrush of the fall migration on its way back to Central America and hard at work in the very dim light right at the water’s edge, as usual.

And here’s a nonbreeding/immature spotted sandpiper beside the waterfall.

Well, that’s 15 species for the morning, if I’m right about the two flycatchers and we ignore the frog and the mallards. I would have never guessed we’d see so much this late in the year, and after all that, I think I’m gonna need a nap!

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.

A blue heron was visiting with a bunch of Canada geese on the river.

And that’s about it for the critters, so let’s check out some of the new blossoms in the park. Here are some pretty yellow ones that look like hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) growing on the slope from the beer garden down to the river.

Here’s some little light-blue asters also growing along the river, which look like common blue wood aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium)

Here’s a giant puffball mushroom (Calvatia gigantea) from a week or so ago that never made the cut until today.

And here’s a handsome crop of mushrooms I spotted this morning that looks like turkey tail (Trametes versicolor).

The forecast is for clear skies tomorrow morning, so keep your fingers crossed!

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 our young night-heron was back again and looking as sleepy as ever.

As I was standing on the west lawn trying to get a decent picture of the night-heron across the pond, this mallard walked right up to me, probably to see if I had anything to eat. I said, “sorry, Sweetie, I’ve got nothing for you, but can I take your picture?” She said, “sure but make it quick.” Then she waddled back to the water, hopped back in, and resumed foraging.

As I continued around the north end of the pond, I spotted this green heron enjoying a bit of luck.

Just beyond the heron, this squirrel was back to munching on nuts on a branch above the little bridge in the path.

The Pedia of Wik reports that “squirrels sometimes use deceptive behavior to prevent other animals from retrieving cached food. They will pretend to bury the object if they feel that they are being watched. They do this by preparing the spot as usual, for instance, digging a hole or widening a crack, miming the placement of the food, while actually concealing it in their mouths, and then covering up the “cache” as if they had deposited the object. They also hide behind vegetation while burying food or hide it high up in trees (if their rival is not arboreal). Such a complex repertoire suggests that the behaviors are not innate and imply theory of mind thinking.” They sound as crafty as they look cute. Who knew?

Anyway, besides three wood ducks, that’s all I saw at the pond, so I headed for the river, and on the way I spotted this dashing little devil sporting a prominent “vest” on its chest, which makes it an olive-sided flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) instead of the similarly colored eastern wood-pewee, which does not “have as strong of a vested look” and which I believe we saw last fall. Anyway, we’re just south of its summer breeding grounds, so this one is probably on its way back to South America for the winter. Safe travels, little buddy!

As I was trying to get a shot of the flycatcher, look who else was busily hopping around in that same tree. As best as I can tell, she’s a female American redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), but I’m not positive. If anyone has a better suggestion, please be sure to let me know! We’re solidly in her breeding grounds, but she winters over in Central America and points south, so if she really is a redstart, she’s got a ways to go, too.

When I finally reached the river, I didn’t find anything new to show you, so I headed back south, and along the way I encountered a little troupe of chickadees practicing their acrobatics on some cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata), which is yet another aster.

Finally, at the soccer fields, I found a monarch with a taste for goldenrod at last.

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 night heron that I could see, but a belted kingfisher did stop for a second on a branch where I could see her for a change.

Someone whom we haven’t seen much of lately, a red-bellied woodpecker, stopped on a lamp post and called to get my attention.

And with that, I headed to the river, and on the way, I caught this fresh-looking monarch in the morning sun against some of that bright blue sky,

and this chipmunk who appears to have its cheeks full.

The river was full of mallards, and here’s a pair enjoying some of that morning sun. The male, on the left, has lost his fancy mating plumage for the season and is said to be “in eclipse.” I know how that feels.

There was also one blue heron in adult plumage off the southern tip of the northern island and who might be our expert fisher from earlier in the week.

After heading south along the river, I spotted this chickadee foraging on a tree right by the falls. I hoped it would forage higher to catch a little of that sun, but it would not oblige.

Another bunch of asters is starting to bloom, with a little more purple in them and in front of goldenrod this time, but still without a butterfly, yet.

Finally, as I neared the southern end of the river trail and was not expecting to see anyone else, this young blue heron reminded me to always keep my eyes open.

Lastly, on a logistical note, school starts at UWM tomorrow, in-person for now, and I’ve got a 9am lecture to give, so I probably won’t have a report for you, but I expect to be back on Friday.

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, but here it is glancing my way.

And here it is returning its gaze to the western horizon.

No back-to-school worries for this one, it seems.

Meanwhile, our young night heron was closer to the water than usual, as if it might actually be fishing for a change. I looked it up, and they “forage both during the day and at night.” “Their diet leans heavily on crabs and crayfish” “along the crustacean-rich southern Atlantic coast.” And they “can also breed inland by feeding on crayfish in streams.” It sure would be great to catch this one with a crayfish, eh?

This green heron, who we have seen make a catch several times before, was done with fishing for the moment.

The wood ducks still on the pond were down to just these three.

There was also an elusive kingfisher and two friendly mallards who couldn’t find a pretty background to pose in front of.

At the river, a mature blue heron was in the water again, maybe the same one we saw yesterday, but it wasn’t having as much luck this time. It’s just as well because the light was no good.

There were also plenty of mallards, wood ducks, and even a few geese, but the surprise on the river was this young yellow-crowned night-heron, which looks just like the one we saw on the pond minutes ago. Could there be two? Maybe they’re siblings.

Speaking of bad light, here’s a wood thrush, whom we haven’t seen much of in months, helpfully posing in the shade against a bright white sky. Come on, Buddy. Help a guy out.

Luckily for us, there is a new splash of color coming to the park, and it appears to be New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) on the slope from the beer garden down to the river. Yay! It is even helpfully blooming right in front of some black-eyed Susans, which makes for a pretty contrast in the background. I just wish there was a bee or butterfly on it, but sometimes we have to take what we can get, right?

And that’s the way it is as August comes to a close. See you in September!

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 look like it’s had its coffee yet.

We didn’t see the night heron yesterday, but it was back in its usual spot this morning, and its eyelid looks a little droopy too. Must have been a heck of a night.

Not everyone was sleepy this morning, however. Here’s Ol’ Snappy on the move just off the island.

And here’s a squirrel chowing down on a big nut on a branch over the path that circles the pond.

On the river, there was another blue heron, and this one was quite the fishing maven. Here goes fish number one, a nice big one.

And not five minutes later, here goes fish number two, a bit smaller, but I hear they pack just as much flavor.

Lastly, look who I found hanging out with the mallards and wood ducks on a pile of driftwood.

Yup, that’s a cormorant, and here it is from a better angle. I wonder if that’s the same one that visited the pond last week. It’s wearing that same self-satisfied expression on its face, so maybe, eh?

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 were two when she first approached. Here’s the one that stuck around.

In the branches right above it was our new little friend, the young night-heron, who appears to be dozing off at the moment.

I counted seven wood ducks and three mallards today, and here is one of the pretty little female wood ducks drifting by the island.

I had a hope for another little parade of songbirds, as we saw yesterday, but that was not to be. Instead, there was quite a hubbub among the chickadees in the big tree right over the bench on the west lawn, and as I got closer, I could see several individuals hopping from branch to branch near the middle of the tree as they chirped, but it took me a moment to finally spot the cause of all their excitement.

This little half-pint was sitting as still as it could in a shallow hole in the trunk, about ten feet off the ground, and it appeared to be all by itself. I took a couple of shots, it seemed to never move, the chickadees cleared out, and then I headed to the river.

As seems to be the new normal these days, the river was very quiet today, so I soon reached the soccer fields, but the goldenrod was not as bustling with bees as yesterday. There were, however, several wasps and/or hornets giving us one more sign of the passing of summer. There are no more larvae in their nests to convert insects they are fed into sugar on which the adults can feed, so the adults are forced to forage for their sugar from other sources, especially your soda can, but it appears that goldenrod nectar will do.

I thought I had caught a nice example of that situation for you in the images below, but it turns out that this is a potter wasp instead, specifically Eumenes fraternus, and while the female does build “a miniature pot out of mud in which it lays an egg and places a live caterpillar” for the developing larva to feed upon, “the adult wasp feeds primarily on nectar,” as this one was contentedly doing.

Oh well, maybe next time. It is a pretty striking creature in any case, eh?