Rustys and Woodies

I've been remiss about keeping my birding activities up-to-date. I blame it on life. Much of September was spent at Putney Mountain Hawkwatch, and I'll try soon to get some photos posted. (Some hawk photos are on my Facebook Page.)

But I'm in Philly now, and have had a few delightful days of birding in the city. Heinz NRW is a go-to place in late Fall (and again in March) for Rusty Blackbirds, and who knows what else in the middle of the city.

Rusty Blackbird

House Finch (female)

Great Blue Heron

White-tailed Deer

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Canada Geese

Also in late Fall, the Wissahickon at Valley Green is the go-to place for Wood Ducks.

Wood Duck (hen)

Wood Duck (drake)

Wissahickon Creek

Wissahickon Creek

Wood Ducks on the Wissahickon Creek

Wissahickon Creek near Valley Green Inn - part of Fairmount Park, Philadelphia - probably the best place anywhere to see Wood Ducks.

These gorgeous ducks are secretive, wary, and often elusive when they are in the north and on their breeding grounds. But along the Wissahickon in March (and again in November) they are close, and visible, though still quite wary.

This time of year they are also active as the drakes compete with one another for the attentions of the hens.

Here are few samples from today, a delightful Spring day, made the more so by the entertainment provided by the Woodies.