After snapping a shot of a turtle in the pond alongside the railway bed this morning, I turned to the other side of the trail and saw this shape, which I first took to be a large bird, sitting in a bush staring at me. I then realized it was this red squirrel. It wasn't a place where I expected to see a squirrel.
This painted turtle was sunning itself on the edge of the little pool below the sewage lagoon this morning. I was able to get quite close without disturbing it. Apparently turtles can see and smell very well, but their hearing is less well developed. They rely more on vibrations than sound.
The yellow-rumped warblers have arrived in full force at the marsh. Just about everywhere I looked this morning, there was another of the birds. Apparently they are the most abundant wood warbler in Canada. They are in bright breeding plumage at this time of year.
I have been noticing a pair of robins near the spot where a pair nested last year, but there was no nest in the old location. This morning I discovered their new nesting site, and got this quick shot when mother robin slipped onto the nest. You can just make her out behind all the branches.
The wet weather kept me from visiting the marsh for the last five days, and this time of the year, lots can change in five days. One thing I noticed this morning was these strange growths at the ends of branches on an ash tree. It turns out they are the beginning stages of the ash flowers. They look more like blackberries!
Father Gander was swimming over to meet me this morning when we were joined by my friend Winston (who probably walks the trail more than I do!). The goose gave him a stern warning not to get too close. Winston obliged.
I had my first sighting of a Yellow-rumped warbler yesterday afternoon at the marsh. I wasn't able to get a shot of it, however, although I made an attempt.
This song sparrow which I saw this morning was the first time this spring I have noticed a bird carrying nesting material. The marsh is favored breeding habitat for song sparrows. Her first nest may be on the ground under a grassy tuft; subsequent ones (they could have three broods in a season) would be in low shrubby growth.
I walked the trail Easter Sunday afternoon (as did a number of other people), and was particularly looking for painted turtles basking in the warm sun. I did find some, as well as a pair of grebes and a pair of muskrats in the same area. I happened to get one of the grebes just as a muskrat swam by.
Well, this morning I was finally able to get a shot of a painted turtle. I saw one yesterday for the first time, but was unable to get close enough before it slipped into the water. Today I happened to find where a number of them were basking in the warm sun, several on one of the muskrat lodges. This one was looking quite content.
I walked the trail twice yesterday, my usual walk in the morning, and then again in the evening. I was nearing the end of the trail - the sun had already set and the sky was a lovely blend of pink, lavender and blue - when this robin landed in a tree ahead of me. It turned out to be my favorite shot of the week.
