Trumpeter Swans, the largest North American swan were once thought to be extinct. Happily, a few remained and a programme of reintroduction has begun. The duck pond at the bottom of the Bluffs is usually a good place to see them. Today we saw some adults and a juvenile:

Lesser Scaup were also present on the 10 degree, rainy morning:

Species list: trumpeter swan, Canada goose, mallard, American black duck, lesser scaup, ring-billed gull, rock pigeon, blue jay, black-capped chickadee, golden-crowned kinglet, American robin, house sparrow, northern cardinal.  (13 species)

Park scenes:

Some botany:

Today’s group:

NATURE POETRY

The beech is dipped in wine; the shower
Is burnished; on the swinging flower
The latest bee doth sit.
The low sun stares through dust of gold.
And o’er the darkened heath and wold
The large ghost-moth doth flit.
In every orchard Autumn stands,
With apples in his golden hands.    – Alexander Smith (1829–67)

Miles Hearn