October 7, 2008 by OrientSee.

Today was a bright brilliant October day. After this morning’s walk in the marsh, I had to go out again. So I got on my bike and rode out to Deer Island. The sea air and the views of Boston Harbor were magnificent. I got home and the construction guys up the street started yelling about a hawk. I looked up and perched on a telephone pole ten feet from my third floor windows was an immature RedTail Hawk. I ditched my bike in the cellar and raced upstairs. He was still there as you can see.

He was standing on one foot with the other tucked up under his breast.

The closest shot was through a dirty window. That’s why the speckles.

It was a gift.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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October 7, 2008 by OrientSee.

Today once again a RedTail Hawk was at Rosie’s Pond keeping an eye on things till I showed up. Rosie’s thicket had a lot of warblers which were mostly YellowRumps. This picture clearly features the yellow rump.

Moving over to the Long Thicket, I found a delightful piece of Ikebana on display.  Better done than most that I have seen at the Flower Show.

Usually I don’t go far out into the marsh until it gets colder but today I walked out and found this black hole.  Really, it’s just a little mummichog hole.  Mummichogs are little fish  that tolerate some harsh swings in salinity and temperature and are of course the food of choice for the Egrets and Herons.  Some of these puddles still have some life in them this late in the year.

Because I was out further than usual, I could see over the edge of the marsh grass down into the creek at low tide. There were five Great Egrets, one Great Blue Heron, a  few Cormorants and a duck or two. There was no way to see them without going further into the marsh grass. Some people are now going over to the Winthrop Cemetary because of the high ground and the commanding  view.

A Northern Harrier cruised the marsh for a while but apparently found no prey and moved off towards Winthrop. Up in the park there was an amazing number of white and yellow butterflies. The night temperatures have been down into the low forties several day now. It was a surprise to see so much insect activity including bees.

The day is gorgeously clear and brisk.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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