Birds and beach roses

I had the opportunity to take a whole day to myself and decided to go to Trustom pond. It's an Audobon property next to the ocean, and of course the focus is on birds.

One of the first birds I sighted was a green heron at what is called the Farm Pond. I had hoped to see the giant snapping turtle in the pond, but no sign of it.

Walking along, I saw a yellow warbler. Then I noticed jack-in-the-pulpit plants along the path. I haven't seen those in quite some time.

I reached what is called Otter Point, and while I didn't see any otters this time, I was thrilled to see an osprey nest on the island out in the pond. One of the parent birds was on the nest, and as I looked through my binoculars, I saw three babies poke their heads up and toddle around the nest! Seriously cool for a birdwatcher like me. The other adult bird was circling around, looking for fish. He didn't catch one while I was there. He returned to the nest a couple of times, and the female kept up her chirping the whole time. When he left to go hunting again, I was thinking that he wanted to get away from the henpecking of the mate. I watched them for quite some time, and it was better than television.

I made my way to the next point, and up the platform that overlooks the pond. The sky was clear, no humidity to speak of, and I could see Block Island! I wish my binoculars were stronger. I ate my lunch to the sound of the ocean in the distance, and the scent of the salt air and beach roses. Heavenly.