Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Ducklings, Swallows, and more ...

The last two mornings I have visited Heinz NWR in Philadelphia. The early signs of Spring were everywhere.

One surprise was the family of very young Mallard ducklings. Mom got a very early start on the nesting season ...

Mallard ducklings - Mom is close behind

Tree Swallows were abundant over the water and fully engaged in courtship and in staking claim to nesting boxes ...

Tree Swallows
Tree Swallow

A few early Spring migrants were present. Photos ops were provided by a Pine Warbler and Eastern Phoebe ...

Pine Warbler
Eastern Phoebe

Carolina Wrens were all along the trails and in full-throated splendor ...

Carolina Wren
Carolina Wren

When the two mornings finally warmed up, Cabbage Whites flitted over the many wildflowers, and this morning I met a Box Turtle out for a leisurely stroll ...

Cabbage White

Box Turtle
The best thing about this early Spring birding in Philadelphia is that when I go home to Vermont in a couple of days, I will have early Spring birding all over again!

2 comments:

Dina J said...

Wow, your mom really is early for up north. Love that tree swallow picture. You really caught the color.

Laurence Butler said...

Great series of photos Chris. It's nice to see some clear shots of those tree swallow taking a rest, as well as that mallard flotilla. Very cool. Happy spring.

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