South Yarmouth, MA
I feel it's a good sign starting off on a bird walk on a morning with little to no wind... I think the birds like it that way too. I wanted to begin this week at Flax Pond itself. We've been waking up to fog very often this particular autumn on Cape Cod with warmer than normal seasonal temperatures. This morning we had a crystal clear view of the pond and there was a lone Herring Gull, seemingly enjoying his/her quiet time in the middle of the water... until we showed up. S/he took off soon after leaving a ripple that grew across the surface.
We heard Black-capped Chickadees, Blue Jays and Northern Flickers telling all sorts of stories throughout the tree tops. I would have to say that we're in peak leaf color-changing time in this area right now. Since I grew up in Framingham, I notice that the colors of the maples and oaks on the Cape have a more muted hue than what I remember. I wonder if the salt air has anything to do with that...maybe the soil? I don't know. I will admit it could certainly be my aging eyes! The tupelo leaves do have bright peachy color right now though, so they add to the giant bouquets we get to quietly admire.
As we left the pond's shore to enter the woods, we heard our Belted Kingfisher buddy... more than likely the same bird we heard & saw on our last walk. Birds are territorial and if their food supply is sufficient, I would imagine they stay where they are. I look forward to hearing and seeing more from this bird as we continue these Wednesday walks. We got some great views of a Red-bellied Woodpecker near the end of our time together. It is very evident that these woods support a woodpecker lifestyle. Next Wednesday (11.8.17) I'm making up the walk from 10.25 that was cancelled due to weather.
I'm looking forward to it! (double click photos to enlarge)
Our List:
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Northern Flicker
Herring Gull
Belted Kingfisher
White-breasted Nuthatch
Tufted Titmouse
Red-bellied Woodpecker
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| Flax Pond |
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| Herring Gull who had the pond all to him/herself |
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| Foliage mirrored in the pond |
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| Blue Jay from underneath |
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| Sassafrass leaf (mitten shape) in fall foliage color |
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| Hairy Woodpecker |
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| The arc of this tree seemed to frame a section of the forest floor |
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| Woodpecker evidence |
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| Red-bellied Woodpecker ... I was patient, but could NOT snap a photo of this bird in sunshine |
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| Silhouette of Red-bellied Woodpecker |
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Happy Birding!
nice post
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