Prospect Park

It is always a challenge to decide where to go photographing. There are so many great places and so little time. It was going to be in the mid 90's today, so that helped make my decision. I decided to go to Prospect Park first. There's lots of shade and it's not far to drive to get there. I usually go there on my way home when the light is pretty harsh. And since I had just been to my favorite spot on Friday, it was an easy choice.

So I got there at 6am and there were only 2 other cars in the parking lot. Perfect! I was hoping to see the hooded merganser family but they did not cooperate. I walked around the lake looking for them but no luck. They must have been sleeping in.

I did spot a black crown night heron......

I headed west on the bike path to Tabor lake. There was lots going on. There were 3 snowy egrets....

some cedar wax wings....

and the wood duck family. She still has all 5 and they are getting big!

I walked all the way to the west side of Prospect and found this cute little guy! Smaller than a warbler with a big voice! With a little help, I learned this was a blue-gray gnat catcher. Cool! I love seeing new birds!

Next I headed over to check out the yellow warblers. They are hard to photograph. They tend to stay high in the trees. Finally this guy posed for me...

House finches are every where. I spotted one of the kids begging for food....

Lots and lots of young robins too!

I was almost back to the main lake and a black crown night heron flew by. I was lucky to get this pic....

I walked back to the main lake and there were the mergansers.... Yeah! Time stood still as I enjoyed watching them.

So now it's almost 9am and already 85'. It was 60' when I got here, so the temp had gone up 25'. Hot! I almost headed home but then thought to go check on the eagles. If you read my blog on a regular basis, you will recall that I learned about a nest not far from my favorite spot this spring. I had not been there in a few months, so today was the day. I cranked up the AC in the car and headed down there. Just as I thought, all was quiet. Seems there will be no new eagles this year. I had heard these were young eagles, so hopefully they will return next year!
I headed home but I have to drive by my favorite spot. So even though it is now 10am and the light is very harsh, I had to check it out.
The teenager herons in nest #1 were napping. Mom in nest #2 was stretching.....

The young avocet was looking good...

Dad was napping nearby....

Over at the inlet, all was well with the other avocet family.....

Not much else was going on and it was hot, so I headed home to get Hazel out for some swimming!

Thanks so reading!