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.
Rose of Sharon are in full bloom around Connecticut. This Hummingbird was attracted to the back of the blooms, both the white and pink variety.
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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.
Once again a Bluebird welcomed us to the Audubon Sanctuary at Bent of the River.
A large tree in the cedar family played host to a number of birds feeding their young and resting in the hot summer afternoon.
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It was too hot today to take a trek so we settled on a quick tour of a few local ponds.
One rewarded with a Great Blue Heron.
The pond at the entrance to Cedar Hill Cemetery has a family of ducks who were playing peak-a-boo in the lily pads. Do ducks feel the heat?
Near another pond in the middle of the cemetery a parent waited patiently for us to move along before delivering lunch.
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.
Click on any photo for a larger view or slide show.
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 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.
Other small birds were hanging around.
The Becky Thatcher headed north which could only mean that the Essex Steam Train would be coming into Deep River Landing to swap passengers.
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.
Lyme will have to wait for another day.
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.
(Click any photo for larger view or slideshow.)
Last year’s cat-tails make good camouflage for the drab females and young.
Hartford’s Elizabeth Park is full of delightful images everywhere you turn.
Roses, of course, are the most well known flowers there but plenty of other specimens vie for attention.
And there are plenty of small critters running about.
Found something!
Great form and color.
Last week I photographed Swallows feeding their young at a nest box. At Hammonasset Beach State Park the Menunkatuck Audubon Society has placed nesting boxes with the openings facing away from the path where human visitors are invited to observe.
Yesterday, the young from one of those boxes had made it to the roof. At the neighboring boxes all of the activity was on the side away from observation, with the parents bringing a steady supply of food. (Click photo for larger view.)
