The phoebe is the flycatcher most at home near human habitations. It is usually the first to appear in spring and the last to leave in fall. It has a diagnostic habit of wagging its tail as if stirring porridge with it.

Both morning and afternoon groups saw phoebes.

Other birds:

Area views:

Thank-you to a walker who discovered what these rubber mats by the tracks are for:

The mats are placed in places where pedestrians regularly try to wrongly dash across rail lines. But the rubber carpets create a less than stable route.

10am group:

1pm group (in the rain):

NATURE POETRY

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall. – William Wordsworth

Miles Hearn