With the warmer weather we've been walking the dogs more and I keep noticing more and more non-local birds. A week ago we saw a massive flock of blackbirds I don't normally see descending onto the cattails at Clapp Park. I didn't have a camera with me then, but I did go back on my lunch hour a few days later to see who might be around. As usual, it was worth the very short trip.
The first bird I encountered was a local favorite. This young mockingbird posed for me several times. Their curiosity and propensity for mischief make them a favorite in our yard and at the parks.
I fear I'm repeating myself here, but when I was a kid, I had the book above. I went through it over and over (as I did with all the nature books.) One bird stood out to me as the most beautiful and exotic - the cedar waxwing. I had a fascination for them and inherently knew I'd never see one in person.
Thankfully, I was wrong on that last part. I was in my mid-twenties the first time I saw them. A group of them perched in the tree outside my kitchen window. I stood and watched in awe for about twenty minutes until they flew away. I wouldn't see them again for a few decades, but I've seen them a handful of times over the last few years, usually in one of our big elms for a very short visit. I was lucky enough to see a dozen of them on this trip.
Even the not-so-exotic mallards are striking and a pleasure to see
The wigeons are back in town for a stretch. There were four on the north pond.
This young hawk did a good job of avoiding the camera, but I eventually got this pic.
I thought I'd save my favorite creature for last - the turtle. This particular red eared slider was catching some February rays. Check out that massive webbed foot out back. It's no wonder they're so speedy in the water.
Thanks for coming along! May you too be blessed by the natural beauty around you, even if you (too) live in a place not known for its beauty.
