The weather gods were with us this morning as rain stopped just as we began and recommenced as we finished on this 9 degree, overcast morning.
Some park views:
This morning’s group:
I always go quite early to walk locations in order to take my time photographing. Because of the rain today, I went straight to the bird feeder area, put some feed in the feeders, sat in my car and snapped away.
For some reason the feed does not always last a long time here:
Spring birdfeeder regulars:
Male and female Cardinals always seem to be together and display great affection to each other:
I was very fortunate in having about a dozen White-throated Sparrows looking for feed under the feeders.
There are two distinct forms or “morphs” of the White-throated Sparrow.
The White-striped adult:
The Tan-striped adult:
I had several bird species for the first time this spring including Great Crested Flycatcher and Northern Waterthrush.
Species list: double-crested cormorant, mallard, red-tailed hawk, ring-billed gull, belted kingfisher, hairy woodpecker, downy woodpecker, northern flicker, pileated woodpecker, great crested flycatcher, barn swallow, blue jay, black-capped chickadee, red-breasted nuthatch, Swainson’s thrush, American robin, blue-gray gnatcatcher, ruby-crowned kinglet, northern parula warbler, northern waterthrush, red-winged blackbird, brown-headed cowbird, northern cardinal, American goldfinch, white-throated sparrow, chipping sparrow, swamp sparrow, song sparrow. (28 species)
As you can see, we had four sparrow species; all of which were singing.
At the end of the walk a warbler was spotted high in the trees but identification is difficult in overcast conditions. I took several photos and the bird is a Northern Parula Warbler:
Also tiny and at the top a a tree:
Other birds:
Some botany:
NATURE POETRY
There Is A Garden In Her Face
There is a garden in her face
Where roses and white lilies grow;
A heav’nly paradise is that place
Wherein all pleasant fruits do flow.
There cherries grow which none may buy,
Till “Cherry ripe” themselves do cry.
Those cherries fairly do enclose
Of orient pearl a double row,
Which when her lovely laughter shows,
They look like rose-buds fill’d with snow;
Yet them nor peer nor prince can buy,
Till “Cherry ripe” themselves do cry.
Her eyes like angels watch them still,
Her brows like bended bows do stand,
Threat’ning with piercing frowns to kill
All that attempt with eye or hand
Those sacred cherries to come nigh,
Till “Cherry ripe” themselves do cry.
Miles Hearn