Tower Hill Botanic Garden

I visited Tower Hill Botanic Garden this morning.  It was only in the mid 50s and gusty, but it was a beautiful day.  I had a few pleasant surprises - the first seeing our national bird, the second seeing a runner-up to the national bird, and the third being monarchs!

I only regret not getting a great photo of the Bald Eagle....but it is what it is!  It was such a thrill to see it.  I had two snaps of the camera, and then it was gone.

Bald Eagle!!!

Wachusett Mountain

Queen Anne's Lace

Fall Foliage

Most of the maples are past peak, but the oaks are in peak foliage right now.  Still very pretty!

Fall Asters were one of the last remaining blooms in the Systemic Garden.

 Beautyberry

 Cabbage Whites in flight

 Cabbage White

 Monarch

I was shocked to see multiple monarchs when it was only in the mid 50s and gusty.  These were desperate to nectar, and about the only option was clover.  I wanted to tell them, "Get going!  You should be further south by now in your migration!"  I hope they make it!

Painted Lady

Monarch

Painted Lady

Bald Cypress

showing fall color

Wildlife Pond

Dawn Redwood

showing fall colors

Belted Kingfisher

White-Throated Sparrow

Dark-Eyed Junco

Highbush Blueberry

showing fall color

Downy Woodpecker

White-throated Sparrow

Wild Turkeys

(Ben Franklin suggested the Wild Turkey would make a better National Bird than the Bald Eagle.)

Late Season Butterflies

A friend and I went to "pick" apples in Bolton this afternoon.  We didn't end up having time to go out and pick our own, but we did buy some.   ;)

At our second stop, I was so surprised to find one butterfly on the mums in the green house and a second just outside!

 Painted Lady

 Cabbage White

Ladybug

Birding at Mt. Auburn Cemetery

The day started off rainy and dark but warm.  By noon, it did clear up and was quite beautiful when the sun came out.  I spent about an hour at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, knowing there is always something worth photographing there, regardless of the weather.  The foliage was spectacular!

 Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Hermit Thrush

Hermit Thrush

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (male)
Prior to today, I had only seen a female - coincidentally also at Mt. Auburn.

 Dark-eyed Junco

 Yellow-Rumped Warbler

 Black-capped Chickadee

 Song Sparrow

 Blue Jay

Mass Audubon Waseeka Wildlife Sanctuary

I went to Farm Pond at noon time but didn't see any wildlife.  Then, as I was returning to the parking lot, I was sure I saw some "wild life" happening on a grassy slope.  Don't ask!  My husband thinks someone was probably just doing "push ups", but I don't think so.   In any event, I rushed on to Cushing Memorial Park hoping for nature.....and decided it will probably be a while before I return to Farm Pond.  The risk of urban parks on a warm day, I guess.

Tonight after work, my son and I went for a walk at Waseeka Wildlife Sanctuary.  I wanted to make up for the noontime walk, and I felt better with a chaperone!   It was beautiful (during the last hour of daylight), and we had some good nature sightings!

Pose #1 (I refuse to look at you)

 Pose #2 (You're making me nervous)

Pose #3 (the mad dash)

flock of Canada geese

Note:  Did you know that the correct term is "Canada geese", and that "Canadian geese" indicates an amateur birder?  I have always referred to them as Canadian geese, because I'm an amateur.... but I'm still learning!  

 Love the reflections at this sanctuary.  It's always so pretty.

 Belted Kingfisher

(There were 2 out over the middle of the water chasing each other.  I wish they would have flown my way!)

 Wood ducks

 Downy woodpecker