Heinz NWR Today - Swallows, et alia

The snow this past weekend was Winter's last gasp - or so folks in Philadelphia hope. Remains to be seen what winter may still have in mind in Vermont, but in Philly the snow is gone, the sun in beginning to warm the world, and it feels like Spring.

At Heinz NWR it was the first true Spring day this year. Or at least, the Tree Swallows certainly think it is Spring and time to be about the business of renting accommodations and getting hooked up for the season ...

Tree Swallows

In the process, they provided this pent-up photographer several good photo ops ...

Tree Swallow

Tree Swallow

Spring and Fall, Heinz has been a dependable place for the Rusty Blackbird, a bird whose numbers are in serious decline and one that has most often eluded me in New England ...

Rusty Blackbird

Great Egrets are arriving in greater numbers and in full plumage splendor, although this individual is a bit drawn in on him/herself ...

Great Egret

Additional images from the day, just because ...

Great Blue Heron

And finally, along the Wissahickon Creek, apparently not all Wood Ducks are paired up. These four bachelors were harassing one hen, although it is difficult to know whether she was annoyed by the attention, or relishing in it ...

Wood Ducks - 4 drakes & 1 hen (and one Mallard)

Good Birding!!