Amherst State Park - Warblers!
Published: May 04, 2012
Tags: Parks and Preserves, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Palm Warbler, Song Sparrow, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Baltimore Oriole, Mallard
I was taken to lunch by a client today and found myself close to Amherst State Park on a gorgeous Friday afternoon. How could I NOT??? I "just happened" to have packed all my gear, so - I unobtrusively changed from my nice clothes to my hiking clothes and headed over. I was not disappointed!
I spent a good 3 hours in the park, greeted by 2 gorgeous Baltimore Orioles even before I opened the trunk to get out my "stuff". Wow! That was a treat and the first of the year sighting for me.
I found so many Yellow-rumped Warblers, I stopped counting! There were loads of Palm Warblers too (I think that might be my favorite warbler). I saw Black and White warblers, a Great Blue Heron (never got his pic, sadly), and what I think was a Belted Kingfisher. That bird was C O O L!!! He dove past me following the creek bed and was out of sight before I could blink. Another time he came around, he swirled around, hung momentarily upside-down from a branch hanging over the creek, then whipped off with a strange noise. He came one last time - and I thought I was ready with my camera, but I totally missed him again. He was mostly blue-gray and white - with a collar near his neck - if he was a Belted Kingfisher, I suspect that's where the belt comes in. Super cool bird!
The warblers were so friendly, paying me hardly any never mind as I settled in to watch and photograph them. It was an exceptionally birdy and delightful day; one I will remember forever. Red Admirals still abound... Oh Lord, how marvelous is the work of Your hands!
A Song Sparrow, one of several, who were enjoying a small stream near the entrance of the park. A male Yellow-rumped Warbler A Black and White Warbler. This guy was BUSY, really working that tree! Black and White Warbler A momma Mallard and her 3 little ducklings. Palm Warbler Palm Warbler Female Yellow-rumped Warbler Female Yellow-rumped Warbler poses prettily Another Palm Warbler pays no attention to me! Another male Yellow-Rumped Warbler Female Yellow-rumped Warbler
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