July 16, 2009 by OrientSee.

 It’s been too long but I took a walk today. Rosie’s Thicket was full of robins and starlings up in the Mulberry trees. Chattering away all the birds filled the air with noise that drowned out the traffic from Bennington St. The heron breakfast party was in full swing on the flats, 3 Great Blue Herons, 8 Great Egrets, 3 Snowy Egrets and one Osprey watching them all.  When the tide goes down further, they will all leave for better feeding out in the harbor.

Walking over to Lawn and Palermo, I found this very different fish.

The Overlook path had lots of robins and my constant companion this morning, a Catbird, who seemed to follow me the whole path.

The Overlook panne had some ducks. A Snowy flew in and then a Cormorant started swimming by. A wader next to a diver in less than 12 inches of water. It was surprising to see the cormorant diving in like it was many feet deep.  All the while a few terns were hovering and diving in as well.

I left the Overlook to walk over to the Boardwalk when something passed over my left shoulder. It was a Great Blue Heron.

The heron seemed as surprised as I was. I didn’t move and so was treated to a very close vantage of this bird. I’ve never been this close without them immediately flying off.

Finally the fishing was not very good in the little puddle and the heron flew off.  It was a spectacular few minutes.

The Boardwalk panne was full of small sandpipers but with the cloudy overcast, it was hard to tell what they were but there were easily several hundred all feeding in the mud flats. The meadow had a good crop of rose hips and they looked delicious but unfortunately not so good to eat. They can be cooked into jelly or made into tea but don’t try to eat them raw like this.

The meadow was full of flowers and in one patch, a mass of thistle flowers had turned into a cloud of cotton.

There were a few Cedar Waxwings feeding in the high grass and a pair of Meadowlarks startled into the air. The park entrance was loud with a gang of Goldfinches bouncing all over. I checked out the pump station pool which  is usually a rusty debris mat floating on dirty water. As I came up to the fence, a bright Yellowthroat popped up on the chain link fence. It was tiny bit of delight until a territorial sparrow drove it off.

The best part of the day were the surprises, Great Blue Heron, Meadowlarks and the Yellowthroat. You can never predict what will show up or even if anything will be in the marsh at all. It happens enough to give me the patience to go out and hope for more.

Ciao!

-Jorge

Posted in Daily | No Comments »

July 6, 2009 by OrientSee.

One end of Rosie’s Thicket was quiet this morning. The tide was coming in and the Mulberry trees are loaded but not much was stirring except for a loud robin. The far end was a different story. The squirrel circus was in town and the performers put on a great show.  Bouncing from tree to tree and chattering at each other, the squirrels were fun to watch. The mulberry trees at this end were full of starlings and robins feeding on the berries. Three Downy Woodpeckers were in the middle of it all, pecking away at bark and ignoring the fruit.

On Palermo St., I saw this confused Northern Flicker. He was drumming on the chimney guard as if it were full of bugs. It made a lot of noise but got nothing to eat.

At the entrance to the Overlook path, a Cedar Waxwing stopped in this little tree. I was surprised that I hadn’t seen any waxwings up in the mulberry trees. Waxwings are frugivorous and should have been crowding around the fruit trees.

The Overlook panne was a scene of great calm and tranquility. Four Great Egrets waded in the calm waters. There was no wind and the effect was almost zen-like.

This lucky fisherman caught one!

Out of no where a dozen Glossy Ibis flew by.  Soundless but awe inspiring.

The Boardwalk had a few more Great Egret and a female Redwing with breakfast for the kids in her beak.

The front gate of the park was busy with Grackles, Doves and Goldfinches.

Today was particularly enjoyable. The lack of wind and the abundance of sunshine made for a great walk. The egrets were terrific.

Ciao!

-Jorge

Posted in Daily | No Comments »