August 20

August 20, 2008 by OrientSee.

The first cool Northwesterly blew in last night. There will be plenty more warm weather but this is our first notice that change is coming. Fall is nearing. This tree isn’t a Sumac and it’s not dried out. It’s just time to start getting rid of leaves.

There is change too with the Ospreys. For several days now the platform has been empty and only a single adult is still around. Perhaps the juveniles are still here but out training or perhaps they have already left. I’ll have to keep closer  track. The adult was eating a fish while roosting on a pole in the flats. It took a lot of balancing to do this.

It was fluttering about while trying to get a mouthful and staying perched on the pole.

The Overlook was quiet except for a large crowd of Starlings. The Boardwalk at first was no better. Then I noticed that one of the smaller pannes further out that was well hidden by the tall grass, actually had seven Great Egrets busily feeding. Then they started quarreling with each other.

While watching the argument, I looked up and noticed a Northern Harrier (Marsh Hawk). It was hunting over the flats and its presence disturbed even the Egrets who really had nothing to fear from the hawk. It’s been months since I’ve seen one at Belle Isle. Their fluid line of flight is graceful and a joy to watch.  Sorry, no good photos.

The park was quiet but then the creek by the Bennington St. bridge surprised me. A bunch of peeps and SemiPalmated Plover ignored me while feeding literally beneath me.

I’ve never been so close to such usually nervous birds.

Finally a Yellowlegs who had been feeding in the middle of the creek decided to leave and I caught his departure.

His shadow and a fluff of feather.

It was a surprisingly full morning walk beneath a clear sky and a delightful breeze.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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