Thank goodness for old friends…

It was a beautiful morning in Estabrook Park, with temps in the mid-sixties, a light breeze, and clear skies, and the Badgerland Striders could not have chosen a better time for their half marathon. With sunrise at 6:06 am and a start time of 7:00 am, perhaps you can imagine how the park was alreadyContinue reading “Thank goodness for old friends…”

Good news and bad news in Estabrook Park…

It was a peaceful morning in Estabrook Park. The temperature, humidity, wind, and even cloud cover could all be described as mild. The usual four or five great blue herons were on the river, and they’re a little tricky to count when they are so spread out and moving around, but at least this oneContinue reading “Good news and bad news in Estabrook Park…”

A new arrival to welcome, despite the gloomy weather…

Just when I thought the weather in Estabrook Park couldn’t possibly get any darker and damper, today came along to show me I ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Sheesh! At least it wasn’t pouring down rain, and the winds continue to be very light, so that’s somethin’. Anyway, most of the critters appeared to be sleepingContinue reading “A new arrival to welcome, despite the gloomy weather…”

Plenty of necks, long and short…

The clouds were thicker, lower, and wetter than yesterday in Estabrook Park this morning, but the wind was even lighter, so at least “the hearing” was good. Here’s what a great blue heron on the river looks like under these conditions. After putting in an appearance for me early yesterday, and then evading the wildlifeContinue reading “Plenty of necks, long and short…”

Beating the heat…

Our heatwave continues, and it was in the double 80s (°F and %RH) at sunrise again, which is not my favorite way to start the day, but there’s plenty of nice shade to be had in Estabrook Park, and we even have water features, so I can’t think of a better place to hide out.Continue reading “Beating the heat…”

A nice blast from the past…

Despite the forecast, the sun hardly showed its face at all in Estabrook this morning. It was cool, calm, and dry, however, so it was still a pretty good time to look for wildlife. This first picture is quite dark, because I took it at 5:15 am, and the streetlights might have still been on,Continue reading “A nice blast from the past…”

Wowed in Estabrook some more…

As we all had hoped, it was a gorgeous morning for our weekly wildlife walk in Estabrook Park, and we had five early birds for the 7 am service. The pond was quiet again, but a great blue heron was fishing at the falls as we went down the stairs by the beer garden. ItContinue reading “Wowed in Estabrook some more…”

Wowed in Estabrook Park again…

It was an epic morning in Estabrook Park. The weather was nearly perfect, with clear blue skies, nice cool temps, and just a bit of a breeze; and the critters simply wowed me. The lack of clouds got me out nice and early, so by the time I reached the pond, the goslings were stillContinue reading “Wowed in Estabrook Park again…”

Nature found a way…

Long-time readers may recall that back in mid-April, the wettest April on record for Milwaukee, we had so much rain over one night that the island in the pond was under water by morning, the goose was off her nest, and her eggs were floating. I saw both geese hanging around for a while, andContinue reading “Nature found a way…”

A little less wet, and a little less birdy…

It was another dark and wet morning in Estabrook Park, but not as wet as yesterday. I didn’t see as much wildlife, however, and I didn’t get my first picture until I was on my way downstream and already below the falls, where I found this green heron fishing on the far riverbank. As IContinue reading “A little less wet, and a little less birdy…”