Zoo Ducks

Hooded Merganser, Franklin Park Zoo, Boston, MA

Lily and I went to the Franklin Park Zoo on Columbus Day. Our favorite exhibit: the duck pond in the Children's Zoo. There seem to be more native North American species there now than I've seen in the past: hooded mergansers, goldeneye (Barrow's), wood ducks (hiding under a bush), buffleheads, canvasbacks, black ducks, and of course, mallards.

Barrow's Goldeneye, Franklin Park Zoo, Boston, MA

Such close proximity does tend to bring out the testosterone, though. The male bufflehead was chasing everything close by. He would dive and attack from below, which sent ducks, especially goldeneye and hoodies, scurrying all over the pond. Other times he would get up steam and fly like a dart, causing waterfowl in his path to, well, duck....

After the bufflehead calmed down, the testosterone moved on to the hooded mergansers. As documented below, two males went into full-on display mode. We were close enough to hear the croaky/buzzy call accompanying the display.

Lily, as you can hear above, thought it great fun. I agreed.

Low Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk on Shagbark Hickory, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

For the second morning in a row I've avoided walking up the hickory hill at the CRP because it looked like someone was hanging out there. Yesterday, I spotted a gentleman with a gray brush cut. (It turned out to be the tail of a gray squirrel sitting on the fallen limb.) Today, a more dominating presence--a red-tailed hawk.

It is unusual to see a hawk sitting down so low.

It was evidently waiting for a squirrel to emerge from the hollows of the tree (perhaps my gray brush cut gentleman from the previous day).

And the hill provides an ideal prospect from which to see potential prey in the meadow.

Milkweed Dew

Dew on Milkweed, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

It's misty most mornings at the CRP these days.

Good for sunbeams.

And dew-soaked milkweed.

So many different shapes.

In other news: Bluebirds everywhere.

Eastern Bluebirds, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Not all getting along.

Eastern Bluebirds, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Click on the photo above for a closer look.

October for the win

Palm Warbler, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

For me nothing beats the cool, dry, sunny October day.

Pine Warbler, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

May is nice but it's all about anticipation.

Eastern Bluebird, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

October is about appreciation.

Snapping Turtle (Baby edition)

Snapping Turtle Hatchling, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

This isn't the first tiny snapping turtle I've seen sunning itself on the trail at the CRP.

Snapping Turtle, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

But it was the most active one I've seen. Eyes wide open.

Snapping Turtle, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

And I've seen its giant mother laying eggs on the other side of the field.

Snapping Turtle, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

I was a little concerned for the safety of this one right in the middle of a regularly traveled path so I moved it off path, closer to the river bank.

Also on the concern list: this orchard oriole.

Orchard Oriole, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

It really should be moving on.

Cutler Ravens

Flooded Trail, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

A wonderful day to be out this morning, though it was bite-through-your clothes and fly-in-your nose buggy. I was glad I wore my muck boots.

Swamp sparrow, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

Swamp sparrows everywhere. And plenty of goldfinches and yellowthroats.

Common yellowthroat, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

But the ravens won the day.

Common Raven, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

I initially took its croak for a great blue heron and then I saw the giant black form flying from Pine Island over to the powerlines.  And then I saw another one.

Common Ravens, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

This wasn't a complete surprise. I've seen a raven flyover at Millennium Park, just across the river. But this was a first for me at Cutler itself. And they were perched.

Common Raven, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

One seemed to be the dominant bird. I suspect the other was a juvenile.

Common Raven, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

It was doing a little hop dance. Fly up a little and then right back down.

Common Raven, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

I will admit being a little insecure about crow vs. raven identifications. But look at the throat on that bird above. That's a fine set of hackles.

Fall warblers, plus more insects on my clothing!

Common yellow-throat, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

'Tis the season for migrating fall warblers, and I'm happy to say they are beginning to show up at Charles River Peninsula. Nothing too exotic--mostly redstarts, pine warblers, yellow-throats--but I am always thrilled when the palm warblers arrive (they've been around for about a week).

Palm warbler, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

While I was waiting for the palm warbler to come out into the open I let a firefly land on my arm. (At least I think it's a firefly--it's not entirely clear).

Firefly on my sleeve, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

This Virginia Ctenucha wouldn't land on me, though it did stay still for a macro shot.

Virginia Ctenucha, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

And a September post wouldn't be complete without a gratuitous bluebird photo.

Eastern Bluebird, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA