Forest Park Nature Center and Lorentz Ave Park

Downy Woodpecker. One of the many birds we encountered on a short walk through Forest Park on Wednesday morning.

White-breasted Nuthatch in the woods close to the Ranger Station.

Baby Downy.

Downy Woodpecker followed closely by her baby.

Downy Woodpecker Mom feeding baby.

Turkey Tom 1. In the wooded area between the main trail and the prairie remnant at Forest Park.

Turkey Tom 2. Crossing the open prairie.

Turkey Tom 3. Off in the woods behind the prairie.

The Wood Chippers at work on the main trail at Forest Park. They created such a racket that we cut our walk short. But not before spotting a lone Tom Turkey, some Downy Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, and numerous other birds outside the ranger station.

McCluggage Bridge panorama. While looking around the little park at the end of Lorentz Ave, it suddenly grew extremely quiet. We looked and saw there was no traffic on the bridge. I took a quick panorama to mark the event. Soon the cars and trucks returned with the usual background roar.

Graffitti (and no anchor or dredging, please!).

McCluggage Bridge viewed from under the electrical tower.

Canada Geese on the beach at the end of the Lorentz Street Park.

Northern Flicker at the nest in the woods by the park at the end of Lorentz street.

Cement Silo on the Dike at Bell's Landing, Banner Marsh.

Tuesday morning Scott and I drove down to Bell's Landing at Banner Marsh to see if we could find the nesting Osprey that the Goodners reported seeing. They were right where they said they would be, on an electrical directly behind the old cement silo. We also looked for the Orchard Orioles that the Goodners reported seeing but did not find them. We did find a female Baltimore Oriole, several Indigo Buntings, and a flock of American Goldfinch, as well as three Belted Kingfishers. Look at the Archive for 06/06/06 to see the Osprey photographs.

Belted Kingfisher 1.

Great Egrets congregating.

Female Baltimore Oriole.

Belted Kinfisher 2.

Female Northern Cardinal.