Despite the crazy weather that rolled in yesterday afternoon, with pouring rain, hail, howling winds, and even some snow, spring arrived anyway, and it was a pretty nice morning in Estabrook Park. My first treat of the day came early when I spotted my first golden-crowned kinglets of the year. This picture is actually fromContinue reading “Happy Spring!”
Tag Archives: common-goldeneye
Some quick sights before the rain…
It was cool, cloudy, and breezy this morning in Estabrook Park, but at least the rain held off for a while. The critters may have been sensing that a storm was on its way because they seemed more skittish than yesterday. I didn’t take a picture until I was beside the downstream island in theContinue reading “Some quick sights before the rain…”
A little more shyness melts away…
The critters in Estabrook Park have put on quite a show this week, and as I hiked north along the river, I was beginning to think that they might be resting on their laurels today. I’m glad to report, however, that my thinking was a bit premature, because look who opted to sit for picturesContinue reading “A little more shyness melts away…”
Another surprise guest appearance…
It had gotten cold enough overnight for a skin of ice to form on the puddles, but it was back above freezing by this morning. Plus, the wind wasn’t too strong, and the clouds were pretty thin, so it was a fine time for watching wildlife in Estabrook Park. My first treat was catching thisContinue reading “Another surprise guest appearance…”
The floodgates are opening…
It was another beautiful morning in Estabrook Park, though not quite as warm, still, or sunny as yesterday. The parade of new arrivals continues, however, so it was a great time for a visit. The first big surprise came as I approached the islands in the river. I always scan ahead, in an effort toContinue reading “The floodgates are opening…”
A morning of several happy returns…
Wow, what a morning to be in Estabrook Park. Temps were in the mid-20s, so the trail mud was nice and firm, winds were nearly calm, so I could hear a bird chirp, and the sun was shining bright, at least for a couple of hours. My first treat didn’t come until I reached theContinue reading “A morning of several happy returns…”
A grey day in March…
I believe it may have been the warmest morning of the year so far in Estabrook Park, with temps starting in the high 30s, and soon warming into the 40s. The cloud cover was thick, however, and so was the mud on the path beside the river, so I struggled a bit to get manyContinue reading “A grey day in March…”
Ducks galore!
The weather this morning was as nice as forecast, and I took the low-wind opportunity to join the Milwaukee Birders as they look for ducks on the waterfront in the Port Washington Coal Dock Park. They kicked off the event with a visit to the peregrine falcon nesting box atop the Port Washington power plant,Continue reading “Ducks galore!”
February gets blown away…
Well, I finally did return to Estabrook Park this morning, and winter sure is on a break, if it’s not gone for good. There’s still plenty of ice slowly melting in the river and a couple of small patches of snow in the woods where it must have drifted a bit deeper than elsewhere, butContinue reading “February gets blown away…”
Another turn in the February rotation…
It was a bit cooler than yesterday in Estabrook Park this morning, but the breeze felt lighter, and the sun came out after a bit, so it was another very nice time to be looking for critters. There are still a few common mergansers on the river, but this goldeneye drake but on the betterContinue reading “Another turn in the February rotation…”
Signs of Life in Estabrook Park 