Van Cortland Park

Van Cortland Park is the 4th largest park in New York City. (Here's a trick question - what's the largest? If you think it's Central Park, the answer will surprise you. The answer is on the bottom of this post.) It's in the Bronx, right up against the border with Yonkers. The western section is well maintained and has a lot of good trails and two golf courses. The pictures below are from my trip there in early April.

One of the things the park is famous for is its Wood Ducks. Here is a male and a female:




A Great Egret in breeding plumage:


Palm Warbler - really difficult to catch, the fleet around so much:


Look at the iridescent feathers on the Common Grackle!


Mourning Dove:


American Robin:


And a few other relaxing pictures:















And the largest park in New York City? It's Pelham Bay Park, also in the Bronx. Central Park is actually 5th.

Vulture-fest

I got ambushed by a flock of Turkey Vultures on a recent trip to Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge. I was sitting in the bird blind, minding my own business (watching the Wood Ducks), when there was a large plopping sound right outside. I looked out, and saw several of these Turkey Vultures roosting on a tree branch not five feet away:



A little later, the flock took to the air:


What are they circling around?


Coming in for a landing:


How many vultures can you fit into a single shot?

Raptor Trust - 2nd visit

Here are some more cool pictures of hawks and owls from the Raptor Trust:

Great Horned Owl:


Peregrine Falcon:




Eastern Screech Owl:


Broad-Winged Hawk:

2012 Orchid Show

Visiting an orchid show is always a good way to begin spring. These pictures are from the 2012 Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Gardens. A few non-orchids are mixed in as well!

A Scent of Spring

Fool's Day in Meadowlands

Male Great Egret in full breeding plumage:



The plumage worked: female Great Egret joins the party:


Tree Swallows are here:




A squatter is ready to move in into a tree swallow's box:


Ducks on a beach:




What are they seeing there?


A Canada Goose cleanse:


I can see you!


Who is faster?


A flighty American Coot:


Mourning Dove:


This shot is actually from Shu Swamp in Long Island - the Ospreys are here!