Today was my third visit to the park in three days. The weather was still great today but even warmer. It will be just a matter of days I think before the trees really start looking full again. Something I noticed right away today was Butterflies. Specifically Mourning Cloaks. This was the first one I saw but I later spotted more as I went. I kind of associate these with Summer so I don't know if they're early this year or maybe I just haven't been paying attention in years prior. On the north side I again spotted a Kestral -which also marks 3 days in a row!
It's kind of like when you notice a certain type of car for the first time and then you start to see it everywhere. I guess the same holds true for nature. You start to notice subtle behaviors or colors or postures -with birds especially- that can help you pick them out the next time. Today's Kestral sighting was cool because as I was looking at this one through my binoculars, I noticed another one in a different tree even closer to me! Both appeared to be males but I can't say I'm an expert at telling them apart yet.
Later I spotted a Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Goldfinch and more Painted Turtles. This Common Grackle was close to me alongside the paved path near the pond on the east side so I took a pic just for the heck of it. I tried to get his iridescent head but he must have been at the wrong angle.
Today was my third visit to the park in three days. The weather was still great today but even warmer. It will be just a matter of days I think before the trees really start looking full again. Something I noticed right away today was Butterflies. Specifically Mourning Cloaks. This was the first one I saw but I later spotted more as I went. I kind of associate these with Summer so I don't know if they're early this year or maybe I just haven't been paying attention in years prior. On the north side I again spotted a Kestral -which also marks 3 days in a row! 
It's kind of like when you notice a certain type of car for the first time and then you start to see it everywhere. I guess the same holds true for nature. You start to notice subtle behaviors or colors or postures -with birds especially- that can help you pick them out the next time. Today's Kestral sighting was cool because as I was looking at this one through my binoculars, I noticed another one in a different tree even closer to me! Both appeared to be males but I can't say I'm an expert at telling them apart yet. 
Later I spotted a Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Goldfinch and more Painted Turtles. This Common Grackle was close to me alongside the paved path near the pond on the east side so I took a pic just for the heck of it. I tried to get his iridescent head but he must have been at the wrong angle.
Nice Job! I'm also noticing more butterflies than usual for this time of year. Though last year I saw a couple at Crex-Meadows this early.
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