Another beautiful day for a spin by the lake with Gram at Westminster Woods. We saw the Anhinga drying its wings on a log in the lake. We heard an Osprey call every few minutes from the platform nest, but the best look we got was this:
Later we spotted the Anhinga swimming in open water, and then hoist itself up into a tree that grows in the lake. That brought much protest from a Green Heron, who flew out from the shoreline. Here’s the Green Heron keeping close watch on the Anhinga:
And here’s the Anhinga, just trying to dry itself:
I showed Gram pictures from Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge. A funny thing, her Peterson’s listed the Northern Harrier as a Marsh Hawk. Reminds me of the time I tried to look up Wood Stork in that guide, and instead was referred to a Wood Ibis.
At home, there are still American Goldfinch stragglers:
This evening I spotted a Northern Parula taking a couple of quick baths in the bubbler. Also watched a female Northern Cardinal beating a male down from a branch–she kicked his head, as though she were going to land on him.