Checking in at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land

This morning, the local birds put on a show out my front window.   I saw Northern Cardinals, a Carolina Wren, a Red-Bellied Woodpecker, American Goldfinches, and American Robins almost all at the same time, which was fun!

The day dawned foggy and gray, and it never really cleared up.  I took my lunch break over at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in Southboro.

No sun, but the trees are pretty!

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

Yellow-Rumped Warbler eating a berry

poss. Purple Finch

ditto

Not sure from this rear view, but I liked the colors in this photo.

 Chipping Sparrow

The biggest surprise was near the end of my walk, when I was getting ready to head for the parking lot, and I spotted a monarch!  I chased after it for a few minutes, literally running!  It was a male, and it stopped to nectar on what looked like goldenrod that had already gone by.  What a treat to see a monarch on October 16th!  I have read on line that they are "late" this year for a variety of reasons, so I'll have to keep an eye out for others!

And away he goes!