Some new behaviors…

This morning was one more in a long run of spectacular mornings we’ve been having this fall in Estabrook Park, with mostly clear skies, nearly still air, and seasonably cool temps. Plus, highway traffic in the distance was Sunday-morning light, and the parkway was closed again for the last Shorewood Farmer’s Market of the year,Continue reading “Some new behaviors…”

A couple of breaks go my way…

We kept the clear skies and calm air from yesterday, but the temperature dipped enough for radiant cooling to frost the grass again in Estabrook Park. It was a perfect morning for the Hot Cider Hustle 5k and half marathon. Luckily, the big event had little impact on life along the Milwaukee River. The firstContinue reading “A couple of breaks go my way…”

A new crowd settles in…

The clouds and breeze stayed away, at least for this morning, and the temperature rose a bit overnight, so we had no frost today in Estabrook Park. I bet this little cutie that I found at the north end of the soccer fields didn’t mind that a bit. Beside the river at the north end,Continue reading “A new crowd settles in…”

The crowd gets tough…

The temperature dropped, the clouds cleared out, and the breeze died down, so the frost was back again this morning in Estabrook Park. My visit got off to a nice enough start when I spotted this American tree sparrow foraging in the lawn beside the pond. We don’t get to see them nearly as muchContinue reading “The crowd gets tough…”

The crowd starts to thin…

It sure felt like autumn this morning in Estabrook Park: cool, breezy, and cloudy. Definitely sweater weather. My first treat of the day was this gray catbird lurking in the bushes above the river. They’ve been scarce lately, and I wasn’t sure if I’d get to see one again until spring. Farther north and backContinue reading “The crowd starts to thin…”

Old friends show their faces again…

It wasn’t as warm nor as sunny this morning in Estabrook Park as it’s been lately, but it was still a perfectly nice time for a visit. My first thrill of the morning was spotting this muskrat up near our riverbank and munching on its breakfast. They sure made themselves scarce over the summer, butContinue reading “Old friends show their faces again…”

A pause on fall…

I know it can’t last, nor should it, but in the meantime, this warm, dry spell sure is easy to take. We had clear skies, nearly still air, and about 60 °F at sunrise in Estabrook Park this morning. I spotted this darling little eastern phoebe beside the river just as the sun started reachingContinue reading “A pause on fall…”

Three-peats…

The weather was amazing again this morning in Estabrook Park, with clear skies, nearly still air, and seasonably cool temps. Things got off to an exciting start when, just as I was about to reach the river for my first visit, this Cooper’s hawk swooped in, came up empty, and looked around for whatever preyContinue reading “Three-peats…”

Less frost and more deer…

It was a super nice morning in Estabrook Park, with clear skies and still air, similar to yesterday, but warmer, so no sign of frost for a change. I got my first nice picture at the north end when this doe crossed between the two islands. She had a fawn in tow, but it wasContinue reading “Less frost and more deer…”

September winds down…

It was just as warm, just as breezy, but a lot less cloudy this morning in Estabrook Park, compared to yesterday, so a wonderful early autumn day for a visit. Even better, the parkway was closed for the Shorewood Farmers Market, so it felt like I had the place and its critters to myself atContinue reading “September winds down…”