This Downy Woodpecker was in a group of small trees, so I had to move around a bit to get a clear look.

I heard this Belted Kingfisher making his distinctive rattling call long before I saw him.,

I still get a thrill when a hawk flies close enough for a decent picture. and I think I’m getting better at capturing the images.

The two Mallard drakes were bobbing their heads up and down rapidly, which may be some kind of courtship behavior.

This Great Blue Heron didn’t move for at least half an hour. I presume he was sleeping.

This is an attempt to incorporate the sunlit grass into the picture.

This Dark Eyed Junco was part of a large and active flock.

You can see just a hint of epaulette on the right shoulder of this Red Winged Blackbird.

It took some time to get a good look at this Red Bellied Woodpecker who investigated this tree in depth.

Mockingbirds thrive at the park.

This is probably a Cooper’s Hawk, and I only got a quick look as he soared over Greenbury Point looking for a meal.

A flock of Cedar Waxwings was foraging in the tree farm.

Even a gloomy, gray Winter sky can’t diminish a Bluebird’s beauty.

I missed the first hawk I saw because I moved too slowly, so I appreciated this Cooper’s Hawk.

Only a few weeks ago you couldn’t find a White Throated Sparrow, and now they’re ubiquitous.

Eastern Bluebirds have been plentiful this year.

This appears to be an immature Bald Eagle.

This Great Blue Heron continued fishing despite the nearness of the photographer and the traffic on the foot bridge.

From Cornell:
”
Fox Sparrows
Size & Shape
Fox Sparrows are large, round-bodied sparrows with stout bills and medium-length tails.

Color Pattern
Though highly variable (see “Regional Differences”), Fox Sparrows are generally rust-brown above with a mix of rust and gray on the head, and heavy brownish splotches on the flanks and the center of the chest. The bill can range from yellowish to dark gray.”

The lovely Carolina Wren has saved many a bad photo day.

A small flock of Tundra Swans flew over. I’ve never seen one before.
Cornell:”True to its name, the Tundra Swan breeds on the high tundra across the top of North America. It winters in large flocks along both coasts, and is frequently encountered during its migration across the continent.”

This shot gives you an idea of the habitat. Look closely, and you’ll see a Great Blue Heron in the middle of the frame.

This distant Belted Kingfisher was very busily fishing.

This Red Shouldered Hawk was easy to spot, but difficult to approach.

We walked through some lovely Fall foliage.

I have found the Brown Creeper to be particularly elusive. This is only the third I’ve seen, and my best capture yet.
Cornell:”Brown Creepers are tiny woodland birds with an affinity for the biggest trees they can find. Look for these little, long-tailed scraps of brown and white spiraling up stout trunks and main branches, sometimes passing downward-facing nuthatches along the way. They probe into crevices and pick at loose bark with their slender, downcurved bills, and build their hammock-shaped nests behind peeling flakes of bark. Their piercing calls can make it much easier to find this hard-to-see but common species.”

I could wish for better light and a closer look, but it’s still a Bald Eagle.

This Bald Eagle is a juvenile.

I haven’t seen a Brown Thrasher for a while.

I often pass by Black Vultures, but I liked the ominous pose.

White Throated Sparrows have migrated and are plentiful.

The Tufted Titmouse is a common bird, but they don’t often pose so well.

It’s often difficult to get a good image of a Red Tailed Hawk when they fly right over your head.

Downy Woodpeckers often work hard for a meal.

This appears to be an Eastern Phoebe, and he should have migrated South a few weeks ago.

This Buck seemed fairly calm when he saw me. He appears to be shorter than most I’ve seen.

This Palm Warbler also seems to be a late migrant.

This Ruby Crowned Kinglet is showing us his red “Crown”, which is uncommon.

This is an immature bird, as the red tail is not well defined. The bulging crop suggests he’s just eaten.

The Snow Bunting nests in the Arctic. From Wikipedia:”No other passerine can winter as far north as this species apart from the Common Raven.”

This Belted Kingfisher gave us a flying and fishing exhibition.