Too Much Prothonotary? No Such Thing.

     I left home early today- hoping to get some good looks at the prothonotary warbler that has been at the salt marsh nature center, with today being the 3rd day. These little birds nest in the SE United States, so when they end up in New York, clearly they have over shot their destination. When they end up in New York it also gets local birders in a feverish fury to see this little drop of sunshine- as it did for me:

I got some good looks- and listens to many other birds, including this greater yellowlegs (above) and a marsh wren (heard only).

Red-wing blackbirds were very abundant and loud, singing their "honk-a-ree!"

Also had my FOY Forster's Tern, while waiting for the protonotary and thanks to Tom for pointing this guy out.

A pied-billed grebe.
So, basically, I had poor views of the warbler this morning... so I came back in the afternoon.

Because this afternoon was a far better showing for this bird...

This little bird spent most of our viewing time foraging west of the Nature Center on the rocks. Hopping in and out of green patches, foraging for little insects and such.

Foraging and looking hard...

A good look at what this bird is after-- little aphids lined many of the green plants it foraged among.

Too much? Nah. Never.
Keep on feasting lil' buddy and I hope you make it to the South East and make lots of little mini yous!

Green-Wood Cemetery in Bloom

     My schedule at work today allowed me to come in late, so I took advantage of an early morning birding adventure in Green-Wood Cemetery. I visited my "magic tree," the Dell & Crescent waters, and Sylvan water.
     It feels like very quickly, trees have begun to bud and bloom. This action attracts in insects and insects attract BIRDS! Speaking of insects, I saw my first dragonfly today in the cemetery and a few butterflies too. Needless to say, things are starting to become colorful, vivid, and alive- which puts a big smile on my face because I live for warm weather.
     Enjoy the sights- but seriously, go outside and see them yourself too!

A Northern Mockingbird forages under the "magic tree," where many other birds foraged above. In this area I was able to find a quick, little winter wren. Other birds in this area were titmouse, chipping sparrow, juncos, and white breasted nuthatch.

People flock to the Botanic Garden for Cherry Blossoms (I mean, do not get me wrong, they have an AMAZING collection of trees), but Green-Wood has quite a few cherries and they are ripe in bloom! Some cherries are already "snowing," shedding their petals to the ground.

My favorite thing about those doe-eyed mourning doves-- they can look quite modest in one look, but change the light...

And you notice the subtle iridescence on their necks, the blue hues around their head. They are so beautiful!

A swamp sparrow foraging at the Crescent Water.

A yellow-rumped warbler hawking from this perch above the crescent water.

The Cemetery is over run (in a good way) with palm warblers, especially at the sylvan water! There were so many foraging over the ground along side the hills on either side of the water.

This little red-breasted nuthatch landed right in front of my on a beautiful little river birch tree. He sat working the bark, pulling pieces of it off and manipulating materials in its beak. I couldn't tell if he was perhaps stashing some food for a later time-- he just wasn't shy about it.

I was hoping to grab a shot of a bird in a cherry. And what's more perfect that a gorgeous palm warbler among those perfect blooms??

Okay, this is better- I love the details of its wing, yellow feathers among soft pink flowers. I LOVE IT!

Found this male house finch singing his love song. It looked to me like he had a nest site in some of the dense shrubs and some females checking it out. You go, buddy!

Sing for Spring!

     I have already noticed the chorus out my window every morning; even if its mostly European starlings and house sparrows, there is the odd robin, mockingbird, and chickadee in there singing with mourning doves hitting their baritone notes - it all makes for a lovely dawn chorus none-the-less! It beats the silence and cold of winter, for sure.
     On Sunday, after finding the Brooklyn Golf center is closed (want to lease a driving range?) my husband and I walked in Marine Park to enjoy the warmth that we have been waiting forever for. On Monday after work I walked Calvert-Vaux (Drier Offerman) Park so here are some of the highlights-- err, acceptable pictures...

Osprey at Marine Park.

So many song sparrows everywhere (this one, Marine Park) singing loudly as other nearby birds respond with more song.

Probably one of my favorite types of sparrows, seen at Vaux- a field sparrow, they just have the cutest look to them!

This guy was busy foraging with chipping sparrows on the baseball fields.

<3

A chipping sparrow stuffs its face... you can see this bird is pretty different from the field sparrow above.

These guys are a welcome sign of spring!

A European Starling looks vivid as it grabs a drink from a muddy puddle.

Found lots of Red-throated loons in Coney Island Creek.

One of a pair of killdeer, making quite a bit of noise, they were audible from quite far away.

Signs of Spring in Prospect Park

     Having some good storms blow through with wind and rain, with a sunny day today, its rewards are popping up in the form of birds. I got out into Prospect to enjoy the hordes of phoebes, newly arrived hermit thrushes, bushels and bushels of kinglets, and a nice warbler.
     While it's still chilly, there seem to be enough insects out to keep the birds happy and foraging. Enjoy the sights...

Phoebes hunting insects in the morning light. Flying from a perch to snag them, then return to their perch and repeat.

Robins were most common, foraging in the soil for insects and worms.

Phoebes, were clearly, equally abundant.

A red-tail hawk flew low, chasing after something. Landed at about eye level off of the Lullwater. 

The same red-tail hawk confronted by its prey...

Prize for the day, a yellow-throated warbler spotted by Marc who shared its location via a tweet. I love using twitter for birding.

Normally high up in trees, this one was foraging in the ivy- which saved our necks and gave us close, good looks at this bird.

Normally a warbler of the South East, this guy over shot his target. Maybe the wind the last few days threw him off path.

Sadly, the best shot I got. He proved to actually come too close and I couldn't focus my long lens on him for many photo opportunities.

A brown creeper, creeping up a limb.

This will be what most of my pictures look like, come next month. Pine warbler.

Pine warbler.

A handsome brown-headed cowbird.