April 28

 I finished my oatmeal this morning and saddled up for my walk. It’s a little more time consuming now that the ticks are here. Bug spray everything including the rubber boots and wear long sleeves. I got to Rosie’s thicket and got to watch this Kestrel having its breakfast. It had caught some smaller bird. For us it would be the equivalent of eating an entire sheep. That prey was small but so is a Kestrel.

There were several Snowy Egrets in Rosie’s but otherwise it was quiet. The Ospreys are definitely making a go of the nest on top of the power pole. I’m surprised that they were able to get one built and now there is always one bird sitting.

On Lawn and Palermo, I was very surprised to see this lone coyote out on the flats. The morning glare made the marsh grass  appear white. The coyote was very conscious of me watching and moved off to the north and disappeared in the reeds on the south dike. Dave Eatough, the local coyote expert, had a look at the picture and thinks that it is a lactating female.

Some Savannah Sparrows were foraging on the grass in front of me while a small bunch of Brown-headed  Cowbirds were hassling each other.

The peach tree on Lawn is in bloom and gorgeous.

Geoff’s path was quiet although I expected to see some warbler action. More blossoms.

Further along I got to see my first Catbird. These endlessly curious birds are fun to have around and are totally fearless of people.

Just before the Overlook, this snake was sprawled across the path and didn’t move until I bent down and touched it. It’s an Eastern Ribbon Snake. There’s a great web resource for Massachusetts snakes at http://www.umass.edu/nrec/snake_pit/pages/eribbon.html .

At the Overlook, I got a photo of a female RedWing Blackbird. This is what all the RedWing fuss is about. Hard to believe that they are the same species.

The park was quiet and again no warbler action. By the side of our house, I got a glimpse of our Magnolia tree in all its glory.

Today was terrific. I didn’t see an elephant but I did see all kinds of things, herons, egrets, snakes, coyotes, catbirds, cowbirds, kestrels and flowers galore. Belle Isle is my constant delight.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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