Spring at Ridge Hill

Ridge Hill Reservation, Needham, MA

First day out in a while. I took things slow. Which works when you are looking for bird life. And butterfly life.

Things are WAY early this year. The white pines at Ridge Hill are already stuffed with pine warblers, loudly voicing their trills from the upper branches.

Chickadees are already paired off and excavating nest holes.

Hermit thrush, Ridge Hill Reservation, Needham, MA

Other early birds included flickers, wood ducks, and phoebes. Biggest surprise was a hermit thrush.

Meanwhile, at the Charles River Peninsula, tree swallows are already claiming nest boxes.

Tree Swallow, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Happy Spring, everyone!

I'm cooped up at home with pneumonia but there is an Eastern Phoebe right outside my window keeping me company.

Charles River Peninsula winter landscape, with mink

Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Finally, a winter snowscape at the CRP two days into March.

And as I was gazing at the water, I saw a dark figure galloping over the ice. An otter?

No, a mink. The first time I've managed to take a photo (and movie) of it (though I've seen it many times before).