May 11, 2008 by OrientSee.

Today started early when I was walking the dog, I was surprised to watch an Orchard Oriole in the yard across the street. I’m not used to seeing such a bird so close to home. Then I found a Common Yellowthroat warbler in my side yard. It was a message to go forth and so I did but what I ended up finding was a huge surprise.

It was a litter of five coyote pups.

At first I thought that I was seeing a feral cat and then the rest of the litter trooped out and I realized my mistake. As long as I stood still, they were content to let me watch although the sound of the camera shutter startled them. They came up to within ten feet of me before wandering off again. I was amazed and delighted. It was not in a part of the marsh that I usually visit. I was just looking for warblers. The parents did not appear and I did keep my distance. It was just wonderful. Then I went for Mother’s Day brunch at the East Coast Grille and so my day has been full and satisfying.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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May 10, 2008 by OrientSee.

This is a Common Yellowthroat with appears to be tick in its beak. Not only is it a great looking bird but also a destroyer of the despised parasite. According to Pliny the Elder, ticks are “the foulest and nastiest creatures that be.”

I also saw but didn’t get a picture of a Yellow Warbler (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Yellow_Warbler.html ). These two birds are the first real warblers that I have seen this year.

The best bird of the day, a Baltimore Oriole. Orioles are such great colorful birds and they always give me a serious jolt of pleasure. So today has been really terrific.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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May 7, 2008 by OrientSee.

Almost too much yellow, dandelions and an American Goldfinch.  The park and thickets were loud with the Redwings and Robins but no warblers yet. A third Osprey was loitering around the platform but eventually moved on. A Snowy Egret and a dozen Brant were east of the Boardwalk on the grass flats. It was very sad and annoying to watch two young boisterous dogs off the leash charging across the flats chasing off the geese, ducks and egret. There are too many dog owners who do little to control their animals and worse they seem to see no difference between pigeons and egrets. At least today, I got to watch a Northern Harrier cruise over the marsh intently watching the ground. It was another gorgeous May day and now the lilacs are in bloom as well. I truly love the scent of lilacs so today was very nice indeed.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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May 6, 2008 by OrientSee.

Today was warm and all about blooms. The apple trees at the marsh edge on Lawn Ave. are in full bloom and gorgeous. The Osprey are busy nest sitting and things seem well with them. A few little yellow birds flew past so fast that I could not identify them but they added to the color explosion.

Next.

The Overlook panne had an overnight algae bloom that covered almost half the surface. A few Mallards and Teal were about but not interested in the algae. There were nearly three dozen Brant in the creek between East Boston and Winthrop. A Snowy Egret was at the Boardwalk panne as another large flock of cormorant passed overhead.

Finally by the Bennington St. bridge a family bloomed.

A Black Duck and her brood were serenely cruising along the Revere side by the school. I was surprised to see these ducklings this soon in the year. All in all a blooming good day!

Ciao!

-Jorge

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May 5, 2008 by OrientSee.

Today was a little strange. It was a very quiet morning at first. There was one Yellowlegs at Rosie’s Pond and nothing moving at all in the thickets except for some Grackles, Robins and one Pheasant loudly vocalizing. One Osprey was sitting on the nest and the other was sitting on the marsh grass nearby. The usual Starlings, Red-wings and Doves were around but not much else. Out at the Overlook, there were a few Teal and Mallards along with a few more Yellowlegs. Then it got a lot busier. Three flocks of Cormorant passed overhead and then a small flock of ten Glossy Ibis. At the Boardwalk, another Yellowlegs and there were two Snowy Egrets across the creek in Revere. On top the mound in the park, I found this bird, a Bobolink sitting on a thorn bush. Then as I was walking out of the park, a Kestrel was preening himself in a tree. I turned to watch a Mockingbird and suddenly a Downy Woodpecker started to feed in the same tree. Over by the Bennington St. bridge, I was able to see twelve Brant feeding off the creek shore. Finally back towards the T station, three Goldfinches were very busy chasing each other through the sumac. It was a great walk after all.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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May 3, 2008 by OrientSee.

I finally forgot my cold hands. All I heard in my head while walking this morning was Mark Twain’s complaint that the coldest he ever was, was the July day he spent in San Francisco. Today was cold, windy and damp. I was miserable mostly because I didn’t think to wear gloves.  So it was one whimpering, complaining moment after another till I got to the Bennington St. bridge to get another look at the large flock of Brant (200 - 300) that was in Belle Isle today. I looked to one side of the creek dressed in its best urban litter and there he was. One male Ring-necked Pheasant and I forgot the cold. He sat there unconcerned for a few minutes before waddling off into the reeds. Everyone has their favorites but this pheasant is rivaled only by a male Kestrel in my opinion for good looks. They are not native to North America but that doesn’t subtract anything from their beauty. Un bello uomo.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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