Vines and leaves are drying up and shrinking back even though we have not yet had a frost in central Connecticut. Views are starting to expand and birds are mores easily seen in spots that have been hidden by summer’s lush foliage.
We walked this morning along a mowed path at the edge of a wooded wildlife management area, easily spotting many species of birds that just weeks ago we could only hear.
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After a frost that will help make the poison ivy even more visible I’ll venture off the path.
The light and moisture on the Connecticut River at dawn  shift quickly.  As the sky lightened  a stream of  fog became visible rising out of a field onto the river.
Spider webs and wild flowers in the field  gave an artsy display.
Fog swirled around on the river even after the sun rose.
Pulled down by the weight of the moisture, grasses dipped and bobbed.
Birds were busy catching their first meal of the day.
I’ve seen Hummingbirds sit on a feeder while drinking sugar water and assumed they must really rest some time when not feeding.
This group showed me how it was done in small bursts on a recent sunny afternoon. They sat for up to five minutes at a time in a tree, ever watchful of the competition.  Then, zip, they were off to a feeder or garden of Bee Balm that were near by.
We read some tips on taking photos through fences and headed out to the zoo in Bridgeport to try our hand at some different wildlife.
The Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard are both part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan, where endangered animals are part of a captive breeding program to help ensure their survival.
The zoo is home to a number of un-releasable birds, including this Bald Eagle and Barn Owl. Both quite distinctive, Guinea Fowl  and Peafowl roam free around the zoo grounds.
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Barn Owl
Bald Eagle
A colony of Prairie Dogs was quite comical.
Peacock
Guinea Hens roam free.
Pygmy Goat
Amur Tiger laying in pool
Amur Leopard
Rock for a pillow.
Spurred Toroise
Peacock
A fast approaching thunderstorm shortened our visit so we’ll have to go back to see the Toucan, Ocelot, and the not yet open Pampas Plains exhibit that was having some finishing touches worked on the day we were there.
We seldom leave the house without a destination in mind. Mindful of the holiday traffic, today we headed south with a plan to cross the Connecticut River on the East Haddam Bridge then poke around headed towards Lyme.
As we were approaching the bridge cars were stopped ahead of us with the gate signaling that the swing bridge was about to open or close. The line of cars was short so we were able to turn into Eagle Landing State Park hoping to get some shots.
The East Haddam Swing Bridge is a steel, movable truss bridge composed of two main spans crossing the Connecticut River between Haddam, Connecticut and East Haddam, Connecticut.
The bridge was just opening as we parked. After two boats passed through and the bridge closed we strolled down the park. We spotted the Osprey who reside on top of the moving portion of the bridge on the community funded platform.
Nesting platform on the brige.
Other small birds were hanging around.
Resting on a rope railing
The Becky Thatcher headed north which could only mean that the Essex Steam Train would be coming into Deep River Landing to swap passengers.
The Becky Thatcher
We jumped in the car and made it to Deep River Landing well ahead of the train.
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A little further south we saw the train again as it passed Pratt Cove.
A small pond at the rear of Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford is hosting a growing flock of Red-winged Blackbirds. I was drawn in by the racket they were making then an adult male worked to divert my attention away from his family.
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Last year’s cat-tails make good camouflage for the drab females and young.
