Today I was planning something I usually didn't do - going to the park hoping to see one specific bird that had been reported. OK, I was really hoping for 2 - a whippoorwill and a bittern! Both very secretive and hard to find, but I figured, well, why not? So off I went.
The park was not too bird-y, although there were lots of thrushes. At the upper lobe I waited around for a while and did see this pretty hummingbird, along with a little maggie and red-eyed vireo.
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| Ruby-throated Hummingbird |
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| Northern Flicker |
This handsome rose-breasted grosbeak is getting into his finery, he posed for a minute to make sure I got the full benefit of his new colors.
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| Rose-breasted Grosbeak |
And I was very exited to see this brown thrasher! Turned out to be one of many. I remember a day last year that was just filled with thrashers everywhere, and today did not match that day, but it was still surprising to see so many of them.
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| Brown Thrasher |
On my way to the streamlet this house wren made me smile.
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| House Wren |
I saw this northern parula from a distance, although in this photo it looks like he wants to be closer!
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| Northern Parula |
At the mudflat was a northern waterthrush, even coming onto a branch in the sun for me. Thanks buddy!
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| Northern Waterthrush |
Then I was close to the location reported for the whippoorwill, and I managed to get directions to it. Luckily someone was there looking at it, otherwise I'm not sure I would have found it, even knowing the small area to look in. But find it I did, through the method of following another birder's directions! I stayed until another guy came up and gave him directions, made sure he saw the bird, and then figured my duty was done. Next, to the castle!
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| Whippoorwill |
On the way there, in the field to the right of the ramble shed, I saw this common yellowthroat in the grass. Like, in the middle of the field, not close to the bushes! It was funny, just a bunch of robins and this teeny fellow.
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| Common Yellowthroat |
And, of course, thrushes all around, getting those delicious berries.
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| Swainson's Thrush |
And a red-breasted nuthatch came by!
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| Red-breasted Nuthatch |
I went to the end of turtle pond by the statue and on the way saw this mystery flycatcher hunting, hopefully eating up lots of mosquitos. I love this picture even though it is not helpful in figuring out what kind of flycatcher it is. :-)
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| Mystery Flycatcher |
I searched as well as I could, but I could not find that bittern. I headed up to the castle, seeing this pretty black-and-white along the way.
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| Black-and-white Warbler |
Up at the castle I looked again for the bittern, and I saw something heron-like and brownish fly into a specific spot on the island. I did not get my camera on the bird, and I could not find it after it landed. But I'm sure I saw something fly in there.......... Well, that's about as close as I got to the bittern. I also didn't see any migrating raptors. One red-tailed hawk soared over me for a while, which consoled my in my bittern failure. I was sorely in need of cheering up. To the oven!
The oven did not disappoint. Several hummingbirds, several swordfights, lots of photo ops.
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| Ruby-throated Hummingbird |
A common yellowthroat female and 4 or 5 rose-breasted grosbeaks rounded things out nicely. This female is showing off her yellow armpits. Who doesn't want fancy armpits?
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| Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Female) |
I decided to get one more look at that whippoorwill but it was more crowded, there were several photographers including one grumpy man. I heard a little of what he had to say and decided to leave. On my way out, a pretty mystery warbler brightened my day and this juvenile black-crowned night heron felt like it completed my walk. What a day! :-)
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| Black-crowned Night Heron (Juvenile) |
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