Cool Saturday

Set out kinda later today and surprised that the temp was only in mid-sixties still. Didn't see a single deer today but there were plenty of other interesting things. Upon crossing the north bridge over Shingle Creek I noticed a Great Blue Heron and I stopped to watch him fish for a few minutes. I managed to catch a closeup right as he lunged his head into the water for a fish. Later, near the ball fields on the east side I noticed this Tiger Swallowtail butterfly feasting on tall thistle plant flowers. I will have to try again sometime for a better photo of one as they don't sit still for too long.
After crossing the bridge on the south side I noticed a rather large group of Egrets on the far end of the swamp. I counted about 14 I think. They were squawking loudly and must have been fighting over food or something.

Green July evening

This squirrel was so preoccupied with whatever he was digging for that I walked up right behind him. I had to finally whistle to get his attention. Noticed 2 does near the end of the first wood chip trail but they got spooked before I got any pics. At the very end of the last trail this third doe walked right in front of me. You can't tell from the photo but this only about 100 feet from the parking lot.

Doe with Fawns

Saw something today I've never seen before! About mid-way up the wood chip trail on the south west side I paused to look around and noticed 2 small rust colored animals standing in the creek. At first I thought they were foxes or something 'cause they were so small. Then I realized they were tiny tiny fawns. They must have been born sometime this week cause wow, were they small! They had both spotted me first and by the time I went for my camera they were already heading for cover. All I managed to catch was the back end of one as he entered the cattails. Seconds later, mom came round the corner and pushed them further into the woods. I tried to follow them for a bit hoping they might pop out on the trail for a better photo. No such luck as they eventually got spooked. As they bounced through the thick woods I counted one, two and three fawns behind her. Not much of interest then until coming back to the south side where there were a couple Egrets and a Great Blue Heron fishing for lunch.

Muggy 4th of July

Downright muggy today. Was like walking through a greenhouse. Things are sprouting up everywhere. Little villages of mushrooms are taking over the wood chip trails in many places.

Near the south side I kicked up a 3 foot garden snake. He darted underneath a pine tree but after a few minutes came back out slightly to sun himself. Not even sure what end his head was on here.


Also spotted a few of these butterflies. Just looked it up on the internet and sure enough it is a Mourning Cloak. On the 2nd to last trail back to the parking lot I finally managed to see one deer and a Great Egret.