May 7, 2008 by OrientSee.

Almost too much yellow, dandelions and an American Goldfinch.  The park and thickets were loud with the Redwings and Robins but no warblers yet. A third Osprey was loitering around the platform but eventually moved on. A Snowy Egret and a dozen Brant were east of the Boardwalk on the grass flats. It was very sad and annoying to watch two young boisterous dogs off the leash charging across the flats chasing off the geese, ducks and egret. There are too many dog owners who do little to control their animals and worse they seem to see no difference between pigeons and egrets. At least today, I got to watch a Northern Harrier cruise over the marsh intently watching the ground. It was another gorgeous May day and now the lilacs are in bloom as well. I truly love the scent of lilacs so today was very nice indeed.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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May 6, 2008 by OrientSee.

Today was warm and all about blooms. The apple trees at the marsh edge on Lawn Ave. are in full bloom and gorgeous. The Osprey are busy nest sitting and things seem well with them. A few little yellow birds flew past so fast that I could not identify them but they added to the color explosion.

Next.

The Overlook panne had an overnight algae bloom that covered almost half the surface. A few Mallards and Teal were about but not interested in the algae. There were nearly three dozen Brant in the creek between East Boston and Winthrop. A Snowy Egret was at the Boardwalk panne as another large flock of cormorant passed overhead.

Finally by the Bennington St. bridge a family bloomed.

A Black Duck and her brood were serenely cruising along the Revere side by the school. I was surprised to see these ducklings this soon in the year. All in all a blooming good day!

Ciao!

-Jorge

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May 5, 2008 by OrientSee.

Today was a little strange. It was a very quiet morning at first. There was one Yellowlegs at Rosie’s Pond and nothing moving at all in the thickets except for some Grackles, Robins and one Pheasant loudly vocalizing. One Osprey was sitting on the nest and the other was sitting on the marsh grass nearby. The usual Starlings, Red-wings and Doves were around but not much else. Out at the Overlook, there were a few Teal and Mallards along with a few more Yellowlegs. Then it got a lot busier. Three flocks of Cormorant passed overhead and then a small flock of ten Glossy Ibis. At the Boardwalk, another Yellowlegs and there were two Snowy Egrets across the creek in Revere. On top the mound in the park, I found this bird, a Bobolink sitting on a thorn bush. Then as I was walking out of the park, a Kestrel was preening himself in a tree. I turned to watch a Mockingbird and suddenly a Downy Woodpecker started to feed in the same tree. Over by the Bennington St. bridge, I was able to see twelve Brant feeding off the creek shore. Finally back towards the T station, three Goldfinches were very busy chasing each other through the sumac. It was a great walk after all.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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May 3, 2008 by OrientSee.

I finally forgot my cold hands. All I heard in my head while walking this morning was Mark Twain’s complaint that the coldest he ever was, was the July day he spent in San Francisco. Today was cold, windy and damp. I was miserable mostly because I didn’t think to wear gloves.  So it was one whimpering, complaining moment after another till I got to the Bennington St. bridge to get another look at the large flock of Brant (200 - 300) that was in Belle Isle today. I looked to one side of the creek dressed in its best urban litter and there he was. One male Ring-necked Pheasant and I forgot the cold. He sat there unconcerned for a few minutes before waddling off into the reeds. Everyone has their favorites but this pheasant is rivaled only by a male Kestrel in my opinion for good looks. They are not native to North America but that doesn’t subtract anything from their beauty. Un bello uomo.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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April 30, 2008 by OrientSee.

Another bright windy day and the Atlantic Ocean is still keeping us cool. There were three Snowy Egrets and a Great Egret at Rosie’s Pond. The Ospreys were off the nest because two young guys were sitting on a stone right beneath the platform. I wonder if they even knew what was going on. As soon as they left, the birds were back up on the platform. I was happy to see this Goldfinch and happier still to hear his song. A Flicker was here and about along the path out to the Overlook. There was a small flock of ducks that were hard to identify in the morning glare but most were probably Teal. A Snipe exploded out of the reeds on the way to the Boardwalk. Two Yellowlegs and a Snowy Egret were out in the panne by the Boardwalk. The Egret was particularly photogenic.

A female Kestrel was hunting over the park while ten Brant were out in the creek. All in all, it was a very nice morning at Belle Isle Marsh.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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April 28, 2008 by OrientSee.

This morning was surprisingly dry. The rain did not start till later. One of the Osprey was up on the platform and the ubiquitous trio of crows were goofing about. Out on the path, I frightened off a squirrel from the feeder whose place was immediately taken by this Cardinal. There were Grackles about but this guy didn’t give them a chance. There were some Teal out by the Overlook. I flushed a pair of Mallards while walking over to the Boardwalk. Three Great Blue Herons were out by the creek edge while four Snowy Egrets were over on the Winthrop side. The best part of the walk was a male Kestrel who was hunting over the park. He would hover in one spot for a few minutes then move over to another close by. He dove a few times but came up with no catch. It was fun to watch him but the overcast sky made a good photo impossible. Still no warblers and I’ve yet to see any shorebirds except for the occasional Killdeer and Yellowlegs. It was great to be out before all the rains came.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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April 27, 2008 by OrientSee.

This is Boston, not Atlanta but these are peach blossoms. Hardly an image that calls up visions of New England and winter. At the edge of the marsh, there are many surprises. People have planted trees and flowers and we get to share the sights.

These daffodils are literally within six feet of the marsh itself.  I admire the spirit of some one who plants these for all of us to enjoy.

Yesterday there was a cleanup of a portion of the marsh. It was amazing to see the quantity of trash that was pulled out. I wonder at how many people have a problem with alcohol. Beer cans are one thing but the pint bottles and nips are the real signs of alcoholism. On the other hand it was a beautiful day and I got to look closer at a few parts of the marsh that I often walk through.  Today it was showering off and on which meant the birds were sheltering. The Ospreys are still active and on the platform. Tomorrow promises heavy rain so I probably won’t be out for a few days.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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April 24, 2008 by OrientSee.

Our magnolia tree up close and personal.

A Glossy Ibis. There was a small gathering today out at the Overlook panne. A Great Egret, 3 Snowy Egrets and two Glossy Ibis.  They were not in the main pool but in back of the two mounds close to the path between the Overlook and the Boardwalk. I edged around the phragmites and came up to them from the west flushing a Snipe in the process. They were slow to sense me and that allowed this photo.  A Red-tail Hawk cruised the park while I saw a Meadowlark take off and fly off towards the parking lot.  It was a warm day but not so warm as yesterday. Out in the thickets a number of small fast moving warbler types were foraging in the leaf litter. I did not get enough of a look to identify any of them. They are very fast and nervous little guys. It is noticeable now that marsh is getting much drier than usual for this time of year. We’ve had no rain for over a week which is unusual for this time of year. The pannes have not had an astronomical high tide in a while and they are beginning to dry. That’s normal for August but not April. Still it was a gorgeous day to be out.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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April 23, 2008 by OrientSee.

Today was a really great day. First day for the temperature to hit 80 and St. George’s Day for all us Georges.

At Rosie’s Pond a Killdeer gave a great lesson on why it’s call gave it it’s name. A Snowy Egret was poking around in the mud. Over at Palermo St and the south flats, three crows were pestering the Ospreys who were just trying to eat a fish. I was surprised to see the crows that bold. They didn’t get the fish but the Ospreys moved several times. At one point a male Ring-necked Pheasant strolled across the marsh in front of me before he realized, “Oops, there be humans here!” They are gorgeous to watch. A Great Blue Heron flew over to places beyond. At the Overlook, a small mixed flock of ducks was puttering around. The Boardwalk had the best view, 8 Glossy Ibis and 4 Snowy Egrets, including these two buddies.  A male Kestrel flew over the park towards Revere and out of sight. The Ibis were closer to the Boardwalk than I had ever seen before and that was so neat because they didn’t startle and fly off.

All in all, a great day at Belle Isle.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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April 22, 2008 by OrientSee.

It’s why they are called Yellowlegs.  Two of these were out by the Boardwalk as a Snowy Egret majestically sailed overhead.  A flock of  two dozen Teal were foraging in the panne by the Overlook. The Ospreys were either on the nest or feeding off some huge fish that one of them caught. They were atop a piece of timber that had washed up on the grass flats. A shy Goldfinch was hiding in a cedar tree at the parking lot in the park. Earlier I accidentally flushed a RedTail Hawk from a tree next to Rosie’s Pond. It was a good day considering that it was the middle of the day and not morning.

The following photo really needs no comment except that it was on a phone pole next to Suffolk Downs T station.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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