Of course,since I was in a light-hearted mood, I *had* to see this Cardinal-upon-a-light! I got home to id this bird as an EASTERN BLUEBIRD; I got a closer shot of it later: I *think* this is the female: I knew this one was a TUFTED TITMOUSE from my visit to the World Bird Sanctuary: I got this one id'd as the BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE: I was lucky enough to see a NORTHERN FLICKER not on the tree, but on the ground, foraging! It was lovely to see the crescent on the chest! On the bird walk, Chris mentioned that a mosquito-based disease had decimated the populations of American Crows and Blue Jays, which was why they are much rarer than they used to be. I found one foraging amongst the leaves: I could not get the id of this little bird But recorded its loud, confident song! Could this one be a Goldfinch female? Not sure... Here's another view of the bird: Neither could I id this little beauty: (update, Pen Grady-Pawl agrees with my id of Yellow-rumped Warbler.) And finally, as I clicked these two birds upon a tree... (Update, Pen Grady-Pawl says they are probably Brown-headed Cowbirds.)

I looked at my watch..and WHAM, where had 35 minutes gone?? Umesh had finished his run, so off I ran, too, to go home with him…

Here’s how the Park looks at this season; not a blade of green grass, not a green leaf in sight…

But in all that grassland live so many birds!

If anyone can help me with these bird ids…..please do