LAST POST FROM HUNTLEY MEADOWS FOR A WHILE.

At least for a little while.

This first photo was taken at the beginning of our walk, where Gregg will take the right-hand path towards the boardwalk over the marsh.  The left-hand path takes us through more woods, but eventually leads down to the marsh again.  We always go to the right as we are eager to see what wildlife there is in our favorite area, and it's just round the corner.  We only have to walk about a quarter of a mile from where we parked our car to get to this point.  

The Beaver's trademark can be seen in this photo.  He fesses up immediately, he cannot tell a lie.  

Another pair of Canada Geese shortly afterwards.  I did not see a nest.  

This pretty goose had a mate nearby but again, there was no nest that I could see.  We kept a close eye on each other.  Not that close as I took these photos with our zoom.  She/he didn't seem threatened by my presence and went on munching. 

I sat on a bench in a shaded area among the trees, while Gregg explored an area that was a bit too muddy for the shoes I was wearing.  I had not intended to get off our usual path and did not put on a sturdier pair of walking shoes.  I was wearing my comfies and they were not waterproof.  (There are benches throughout our walk, and many were being used.  A lot of people out and about, all ages.)  Gregg had taken a path, a little more overgrown, that goes to the water's edge. A minute or so after he left I heard noise, turned around and two geese were focused on eating tasty shoots as they slowly made their way in my direction.  One of them decided to take flight and landed in water nearby.  After we observed each other for another few minutes, she followed her partner and mine returned from his walk, not having seen any more birds except those too far away for photos.

There were lots of buds sprouting on trees. Spring has sprung.

 This is a Snapping Turtle I shared a photo in one of my Huntley Meadow posts.  

By this time we are almost at the end of our walk.  Wanting to see if the Wood Duck was still there, we retraced our steps.  Normally we take a different loop but that Wood Duck was calling to me, like a siren song and when I asked him, Gregg didn't mind going back the way we came.  He was still there but more awake now, more alert.

Two ladies started conversations with me on our walk.  The first saw us taking photos of the Red-winged Blackbird, and asked if I knew anything about them.  I told her what I could but suggested she look on line for more information.  She was very nice, from Pennsylvania and visiting her daughter and family.  We chatted for several minutes before her family appeared.  They were heading home and she would be going back to PA in a couple of days.  

Right after she left another lady taking photos of the Wood Duck began a conversation.  When she spoke I turned around and saw that she had a tripod and a camera attached with a very big lens, which I asked her about.  She was happy to share what she knew about her equipment and I was fascinated.   She was kind enough to offer me a look at the Wood Duck and yep, I would've been able to see that duck's tonsils if he had been facing my way with his beak open!  She told me her lens was 500 mm.  I learned that if you had a fixed lens (as she did) instead of a zoom (as I had), you could get beautifully crisp, clear photos.  I am going to have to save a few pennies for that one.  She also had a 2x teleconverter, which is a magnifying attachment you can attach between your camera and the actual lens.  I could have chatted with her for ages as she was only too happy to talk not only about her camera equipment but also about the wood duck and other birdlife she had seen.  

She told me that the Wood Duck's mate was inside the box sitting on her eggs.  She also had helpful hints, one being that I should try and get the light in the eyes of the duck for a better photo and she again let me look through the lens as the sun came out.  I could see what she was talking about.  I've often thought birds and other animals look better with the sun reflecting on them, and had noticed the spot of light in their eyes.  Gregg had walked on ahead and I didn't want to delay him any further.  It was time for us to go so I thanked this very nice lady and off we went.  By the time I got back home I needed a nap!  

We always enjoy our trips to this park.  We saw not necessarily in order, Wood Ducks, other Ducks we didn't recognize at the time, Painted Turtles, Snapping Turtles, Tadpoles, Red-winged Blackbirds, Coots, Osprey and Canada Geese.  Not bad for one outing.  I'm looking forward to the babies arriving, but I will be staying a safe distance from them and will admire from afar.

As always thank you so much for dropping by, and I hope your day is a great one.