A grebe and a green heron at Millennium Park

Green Heron, Millennium Park, West Roxbury, MA

I really enjoy early mornings at Millennium Park, especially in this weather--cold at dawn, bright and warming up by 8. (Despite the chattering joggers and the occasionally irresponsible dog walker). Right out of the car, I immediately spotted a Cooper's hawk, heard a great blue heron bark, and watched a rattling kingfisher fly across the path. And robins everywhere--in the air, on the ground, in the trees.

This little green heron was by the bridge and was not terribly pleased to see me. Is this its way of showing displeasure?


The most pleasant surprise, a pie-billed grebe just floating along, easily seen through a gap in the stream-side brush. Unlike most of the grebes I've encountered, it didn't dive or fly right off but just kept calmly swimming on. This is apparently an uncommon sight this time of year at Millennium Park.