Charles River Peninsula

Charles River Peninsula, originally uploaded by oehlkers.

Sometimes you want to explore new places. Sometimes you want to walk the same path over and over. The Charles River Peninsula is endlessly rewarding. Today: rabbits, a red squirrel, and a groundhog (hole).I also caught this titmouse duet (I think I'm responsible for scaring the close one off near the end)

Charles River Peninsula

Charles River Peninsula, originally uploaded by oehlkers.

A dark, overcast day with sudden flashes of yellow and blue. I was greeted by a large flock of yellow-rumps near the property entrance and saw the bluebirds again, flying away. (They remain very skittish). The catbirds are back. And I captured the song of something that sounded like a song sparrow with a sore throat [UPDATE: Savannah Sparrow, probably].

Weymouth

A rare day South Shore side. I had a couple of hours between birthday party drop-off and pick-up to spend in Weymouth. First stop, Great Esker Park. A nice mix of hilly woodland trails and saltwater marsh. Egrets, cormorants, and surprisingly active horseshoe crabs in the marsh areas. It was low tide so I was able to make it across the "reverse waterfall" gap in the trail without much trouble. I advise sticking to the southern trail loop--the northern area functions as an apparent teen party hangout. After walking the eskers, I had little time left so I drove up to the coast and walked through the exceedingly well-groomed Webb Memorial Park.

I'm concerned about this titmouse

The battle for territorial rights to our neighborhood was pretty brutal this year for the titmice. This male emerged as the victor, but not without some apparent damage.

No giving up for this little guy. He just keeps coming back to the feeder, twisted neck and all.

Rocky Woods

Rocky Woods, originally uploaded by oehlkers.

An afternoon to saunter through the boulder-strewn forest of Rocky Woods. A hot afternoon (in the upper 80s). I hadn't realized how much climbing would be required and how many rewarding vistas there would be (some actually trail-labeled, "VISTA").

Wildlife was relatively scarce (hiding from the intense sun, no doubt), except for the little chipping sparrows, who were pleasant company--trilling from the treetops and hopping up the trails in front of me.

Pegan Hill

Pegan Hill, originally uploaded by oehlkers.

Took a walk through Pegan Hill on the Natick-Dover line this afternoon. There is a path that runs up and down the hill through the woods but the real interest is on the edges of the property. Pegan Hill Lane, which is the western boundary of the property is, contrary to Google Maps, not a through street but a semi-private road to some rather nice estates.

Charles River Peninsula

I'm making it a Sunday habit to wander through the meadows of Charles River Peninsula. It has really turned green over the past week and the bugs are out (I'm dreading the mosquito season--the ticks are bad enough). Scared yet another wood duck. Spent some time listening to the Red-winged Blackbirds pinging to each other. And hung out for a little while with a Yellow-rumped Warbler. (Here's its song--taking turns with a cardinal).

People in the Boston area often complain about our nonexistent springs. We usually rush straight from winter to summer. I must say, though, that we are having a real spring this year, with some of the most gorgeous days I can remember. [And thanks to my Mom for guiding me to the home of her local Red-Bellied Woodpecker yesterday.]