Backyard and Beyond

While failing to see the rare-for-our-parts Varied Thrush that has been in Prospect Park for a few days, I otherwise noted: two raccoons slowly uncurling high in a tree crotch; one darting chipmunk; a dozen turtles crawled up on shore and rocks of the Pools to warm up after so many water-chilled months; a Red-tailed hawk cleaning its gory claws and bill after a kill; then a Sharp-shinned hawk fly over to the kill site when the Red-tailed left to see it there were any leftovers; the usual bird suspects, including Tufted Titmouse, Black-caped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Cardinal, two kinds of woodpeckers, Fox Sparrows, etc.; and, pointed out to me, a Common Redpoll, a nice boreal bird no doubt making her way back north. There were also two Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) butterflies. (This species has the delightful name of Camberwelll Beauty in the UK, where it’s a rare stray from the continent.) The first one of the year of course surprised me. It flitted over the khaki-colored leaves covering the sunny slope of Quaker Hill, and reminded me of the legend of Persephone bringing spring again to the land.