August 25

August 25, 2008 by OrientSee.

Back from a trip to Long Island, I went out this morning an hour after high tide. The thickets were quiet and little was going on. The south flats were empty as well. It looks like the Ospreys are gone. The platform is empty and no adults are perching on the poles. They may be still around but it seems less likely as time goes on. The long thicket was quiet except for the crickets who were very busy chirping away. The usual pack of catbirds wasn’t following me as I walked along. It was a little eerie. Finally at the Overlook, there was something to see.

Six Snowy Egrets were calmly resting and grooming. A flock of peeps were nearby as well a few black ducks. Darting around the fringes of the panne, there were a few Yellowlegs busy feeding.  A further harbinger of fall appeared as several flocks of Cormorants passed moving south.  The Tree Swallows were very busy and were swarming almost as if they were Starlings.

The Boardwalk was terrific. Even though it was nine am, there were over fifty Egrets spread out beyond the panne.

One Great Egret was quite close and seemed calm even with me so near.

A large number of peeps were in the closest panne along with a dozen or more Yellowlegs. It was all quite a sight.

The park had its own pleasures to share.

Finally on the way out of the park, I found this living piece of yarn crawling across the walk.

I was surprised by this caterpillar since it seems very late in the year for an insect like this. I wonder if moths or butterflies might pupate over the winter?

It was nice to be back home.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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