On the move

Changes were evident at the marsh yesterday; for the first time I saw no warblers. But there were a number of Song Sparrows, including this one, which was new - perhaps a group had stopped here to feed for a while before moving on.

Lonesome goose

This lone Canada Goose feeding in the duckweed this morning was a rather plaintive sight, I felt (we're used to seeing them in pairs or a group), so I used a bit of artistic licence and the poster edges filter to create a 'photo painting'.

The 'up-side-down' bird

I heard the call (a nasal yenk, yenk, yenk) of this White Breasted Nuthatch before I noticed it busily exploring the spent tent caterpillar nests in one of the wild cherry trees at the marsh. I think it's only the second time I've seen one at the marsh, and definitely the first time getting a shot of one there. (They are very fond of black oil sunflower seeds, as one is a regular visitor to my feeders.)

The Plain Jane of the sparrows

What a difference a day makes. This morning the weather was gorgeous, and the water at the marsh was as smooth as silk. Ducks were feeding all over the marsh, and birds were still in evidence in the trees and in the vegetation at the water's edge. I caught this Savannah Sparrow perched on a Curly Dock seed stalk, a common plant at the marsh. The Savannahs should be departing within the next month, although the odd one may winter over.

Two plus two more

Two deer sightings in a week! Yesterday, while waiting for a chickadee to pause long enough for me to get a shot, I noticed a deer standing in the tall grass below the sewage lagoons. When it started moving to the left, I moved forward a little, to see if I could get a better view, as I didn't think it would jump the fence around the lagoons. That's when I noticed there were two, and they were looking right at me. The one on the right could be the same doe I saw the other day; the one on the left is a young buck, with the tiny buds of his antlers just evident. The doe's ears are facing right in the shot; probably because there were two more deer behind these which I didn't see until they all moved off.

The water's running free...

There was one place yesterday where there were a number of ducks swimming about, and that was in the stream next to the marsh, which had overflowed its banks due to the heavy rainfall. This Green-winged Teal (female) was one of a group swimming in a flooded spot.

Tail give-away

Yesterday after the rain stopped, I was anxious to get to the marsh to see what changes, if any, the wild overnight weather had wrought. Although there were few waterfowl on the water (it was still quite rough), there were still a fair number of birds in among the trees, including this Palm Warbler, quickly identified by its bobbing tail.

Iconic October sight

About 30 of the Canada geese were still on the marsh this morning when I approached the viewing stand close to 11 a.m. Shortly afterward, they began to announce their take-off, and I caught them in flight with the trees of the North Mountain as backdrop, as they headed for the river. (Poster edges filter used here as well.)

A rare sighting

I was checking out the spot where the Wood Ducks hide out again this morning, hoping the noise of the strong winds would hide my approach. Foiled again, although this time there were only a few Black Ducks that flew off. However, I happened to notice a bird-like shape, larger than a songbird, in the tall grasses off to the side. When I checked it out with my binoculars, I happily discovered it was a Sora rail! I've never seen one this late in the year, although I don't think it is too late for them to still be here. Apparently they aren't heard much after mid-summer (and rarely seen), so it is difficult to tell just when they migrate. I used the 'poster edges' filter again to sharpen the edges, as it was difficult to focus on the bird among all the brush.

Here we go again

Here's our friend from yesterday, up to the same business. At least I'm pretty sure it's the same fellow, as I found him only about 20 feet from where I saw him yesterday. Each squirrel has its own territory, which is smaller than when they are in nesting mode. There are quite a few English oaks around the marsh, and they seem to be loaded with acorns, so the pickings are good.