May 13

The last few days have been strange but enjoyable. I’ve gone out in the middle of the day in glorious weather and enjoyed my leisurely walks but after the Great Horned Owl, there has been little to see. I’ve enjoyed the scented blooms and warming days but the beasts and the birds have not been cooperating. The warblers et al seem to be passing up Belle Isle this year. Today I went out earlier and there were things to see.

Rosie’s was empty and the thicket had a few sparrows and catbirds. The Osprey were about. One was off and on the nest while the other was eating on top of a large piece of driftwood out on the flats. Lawn and Palermo gave me this great view of a Mourning Dove with a beak full of nesting material. A Brown-headed Cowbird was perched on the telephone pole nearby at the same time.

Geoff’s path was full of Redwings and Catbirds but no warblers. At the Overlook, a female Redwing stopped and let me approach very close.

The flats were full of Redwings and swallows swooping near and far.

On the Boardwalk, a very pretty Tree Swallow rested.

Out in the pannes, a Great Egret was feeding and then I noticed another darker large bird and it turned out to be the first Glossy Ibis of the year for me.

The Ibis was alone except for the Great Egret. I thought that a little strange. These are very social birds and I am not used to seeing them alone.

The park meadow is a vast carpet of yellow. At the top of the mound, this reminder of last summer’s glory still stood and still impressive.

The park entrance was overwhelmed by the noise of the resurfacing crew working on the street. I crossed over the bridge to the side of the pumping station and discovered  by the pool, a colony of Barn Swallows roosting in the crevices of the building. Perched on a nearby fence pole, was this decidedly duller Rough-winged Swallow.

Seeing the Glossy Ibis was a treat and a break from the last few days. The construction crews should be moving on soon and perhaps that will make a difference. Even when it has been quiet, the weather has made every walk a treat.

Ciao!

-Jorge

This entry was posted on May 13, 2009 at 11:12 am and is filed under Daily. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.