Belted Kingfisher

While I was walking today on the Greenbelt Trail along Westbrook, I saw a very large dark bird with a white tail soaring above the lake. I thought it could be an eagle.  Last year, about this time of year, I spotted a bald eagle nesting in the area of the Bayard Cutting Arboretum. For this reason, I went to the arboretum and walked to where I had seen the eagle nesting last year. Although I didn't see it, I wasn't disappointed because I spotted a Belted Kingfisher fishing and perching along the Connetquot River. I have seen them before, but only during the summer, so it was a treat to see one this almost winter's day.

December Dusk

Darkness descends too quickly in December and prevents me from walking after work in Heckscher State Park. Having off yesterday from work,  I was able to get to the park around 4:00 p.m., but only an hour later the sun had set and evening had arrived. As I drove out of the parking lot, I saw in my car headlights rabbits, deer, and opossums. I saw more animals at nightfall than I saw during daylight. I will admit though that the highlight of the hike was at the beginning, when I saw a hawk hunting for its last meal of the day.