In the past I have seen “rafts” with over 1,000 Greater Scaup here in winter. This morning in -5 degree, overcast conditions we has just a few dozen.

Species list: mute swan, Canada goose, mallard, gadwall, American black duck, redhead, greater scaup, bufflehead, common goldeneye, long-tailed duck, red-breasted merganser, great black-backed gull, herring gull, ring-billed gull, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, house sparrow, northern cardinal.  (18 species)

Park Scenes:

This morning’s group:

NATURE POETRY

Then came old January, wrapped well
In many Weeds to keep the cold away:
Yet did he quake and quiver like to quell,
And blow his Nails to warm them if he may.     – Edmund Spenser (c. 1552–99)

Miles Hearn