The spring runoff water levels were on their way down. Not completely back to normal levels, but receded enough that most of the trail was open and dry(ish). We didn't try going all the way around as indications were that the trail was likely still flooded, or at least mudded, out at the culverts.
Before the seasonal flooding a goose built a nest, where others had in prior years, but when the water level rose the nest and eggs floated away. The small island has now reappeared and drying out ready for another nest perhaps.
The new growth gave a different feeling to the woods.
The cherry trees were blooming
Serviceberry was blooming as well
Honeysuckle was in bud
Elder on the left, elderberry on the right (so says my ID sources for the elder)
Yellow violets and unfurling ferns
But the birds.... (Not that we saw them all)
It was warbler time, Cassels Street was lined with cars, the ridge and the trees by the filtration plant were lined with photographers and birders. Ottawa has its own Point Pelee😊
I don't have the patience to photograph the flitty small birds. But if one comes close and gives me half a chance, I might get half a photo.....
Yellow-rumped warbler, yellow warbler, redstart
A male baltimore oriole landed way up overhead.
A scarlet tanager (A "lifer" for me in birder talk -first one I had ever seen) flew about across a small bay and then landed quite close
White-crowned sparrow, male and female cardinal
An osprey was hiding behind some branches against the bright sky. I did what I could....
Black-crowned night heron and a fluffy kingbird
A chickadee flew in, checked out the offerings and left with a seed
A downy woodpecker on the other hand stayed for a nice visit, while filling up on seeds
A female red-winged blackbird, which is quite non-descript compared to the the male, was sharing in the cracked corn offerings.
A black squirrel seeing a pair of wood ducks on the trail, sensed a handout; he was disappointed.
The wood duck males seemed in fine form
Preening seemed to be one of the main activities of the hour for many of the birds
Although a few Canada Geese seemed in a difficult mood
One of the Canada geese seemed very interested in a painted turtle. The turtle did not appreciate the attention.
The sun brought out a few painted turtles
While at the observation deck, a black squirrel was keeping a VERY close eye on us hoping to snafu any offerings to the birds
Another squirrel was busy eating on a stump
As was a chipmunk....
We had a quick glance of a speeding muskrat
