Weekend Update, Part I

Dateline: 8-10 July 2022

So much nature going on out at Presque Isle State Park over the weekend, can’t be contained in just one (reasonably sized) post. Following are mostly along the Long Pond Trail.

Deer baby

In Presque Isle trail news, looks like the PA DCNR (state park) folks have been busy clearing the Long Pond Trail. Looks awful, but better that than “bushwacking required”/overgrown mode like last summer. Plus easier for birding.

Long Pond Avenue

The baby deer were enjoying it – two were spotted frolicking running up and down the trail. (BirdingPI.com staff caught by surprise taking iPhone shots, so the pics at the top above and following were rather rushed = not super sharp, but still super cute.)

Photo credit: John Deere

Lots of Baltimore Oriole activity this year; way more than 2021. Juveniles and/or molting individuals seen numerous times. Example:

Juvenile/oriole/rose

Mourning Doves are pretty much everywhere; here’s a nice shot just for fun:

Dove of peace

Lots of rose blooming currently, here, probably invasive Japanese Rose (Rosa rugosa), with a bee:

Bee heart rose

More Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans), close to Long Pond, on the trail:

Frog detail

In the woodland shade, probably Song Sparrow:

Sparrow/shadow I
Sparrow/shadow II

Another (slightly out of focus) example of molting or juvenile Baltimore Oriole:

Sandwich cookie

Obligatory but fun Yellow Warbler content:

Big Mac
Branching out
Molting

Lovely Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) dragonfly:

Not a bird snack

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post, featuring Gull Point and a cast of thousands (of Eastern Kingbirds, literally)! Really, lots of Eastern Kingbirds.