This morning’s walk was done in constant rain and a temperature of 17 degrees.

We did have a good selection of birds.

Species list: double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American black duck, mallard, ring-billed gull, hairy woodpecker, downy woodpecker, eastern phoebe, blue jay, American crow, black-capped chickadee, ruby-crowned kinglet, black-throated green warbler, house sparrow, northern cardinal, American goldfinch, song sparrow.  (17 species)

Park scenes:

I am not the only one who enjoys a fresh apple:

Some botany:

The real stars of the morning were a diverse group of mushroom family members:

This morning’s group:

BIRDWATCHING ANECDOTE

One June evening, my wife and I were driving at about 60 mph on a four lane highway in the Niagara area. I saw a male Baltimore oriole flying across the highway and thought it would be impossible to avoid hitting it. However there was no sound of impact. No feathers flew. I was relieved. The next day I was standing beside my car on a country road. The loud chatter of an oriole came from inside the car. I lifted the hood and out came the oriole, apparently unharmed. (Gerry Bennett)

Miles Hearn