We had an excellent turnout for this morning’s walk which started in 8 degree temperature and misty conditions:

Though some of the migrant birds that are usually found here in May such as Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Great Crested Flycatcher are not yet present, we did have 29 species of birds:

Species list: double-crested cormorant, black-crowned night heron, Canada goose, mallard, red-tailed hawk, turkey vulture, ring-billed gull, belted kingfisher, hairy woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, downy woodpecker, northern flicker, blue jay, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, brown creeper, American robin, golden-crowned kinglet, ruby-crowned kinglet, European starling, red-winged blackbird, brown-headed cowbird, common grackle, northern cardinal, house finch, American goldfinch, white-throated sparrow, chipping sparrow, song sparrow.  (29 species)

Particularly interesting was some good looks at Ruby-crowned Kinglets:

I rarely see the “double crests” of the Double-crested Cormorant but here they are:

While working in Antarctica I regularly observed the “elimination” of Penguins and Cormorants as in this photo from this morning:

Other birds:

This Canada Goose is sticking his tongue out at us:

Some park scenes:

Red Squirrel and Chipmunk:

Many wildflowers are beginning to emerge. Here are a few:

NATURE POETRY

Spring, the sweet spring, is the year’s pleasant king, 
Then blooms each thing, then maids dance in a ring, 
Cold doth not sting, the pretty birds do sing: 
      Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo! 

The palm and may make country houses gay, 
Lambs frisk and play, the shepherds pipe all day, 
And we hear aye birds tune this merry lay: 
      Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo! 

The fields breathe sweet, the daisies kiss our feet, 
Young lovers meet, old wives a-sunning sit, 
In every street these tunes our ears do greet: 
      Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to witta-woo!
           Spring, the sweet spring!

Thomas Nashe 1600

Miles Hearn