Birds were Scarce Today-Think they are all with Larry

Another day of gorgeous weather and I was rearing to go. Granted I only had an hour for lunch, but I was feeling lucky. Off to Institute Park I went with a spring in my step and camera in hand. The weather was so warm I was convinced the birds would be out celebrating the day. Boy was I wrong. The only thing I saw were about a dozen squirrels acting as frantic as they did this past November. It was really bizarre to watch them jump from tree to tree and chase after each other. They have been like this recently in my yard too, but not as bad.

I did get a good photo of the mute swans though. The last time I was there I only saw one so it looks as if these two have become a pair. There were also these ducks that didn't look like mallards, but I can't figure out what they are even with my Peterson Field Guide. Doe anyone have any idea, even with the lousy photo?

The only song birds I saw were a pair of cardinals. The male was jittery and didn't want any part of me. The female stood still for one brief moment so I could get a photo. She did not do me the honors of coming in a little closer and away from the branches.

The biggest excitement of my day were the squirrels. This one here has me mystified. While walking past this large tree, I could hear the pecking of wood so I automatically assumed it was a wood pecker. To my bewilderment, it was this squirrel here. I walked along the park for about 45 minutes and when I returned to the tree, he was in the same exact place doing the same exact thing. I couldn't get my camera at an angle to look at what he had in his hands so I am assuming he is eating bark?? Do squirrels do this when they are extremely hungry and food is scarce? Sorry for all the questions but it was a very odd day indeed.

I am convinced that all of the songbirds from Central Massachusetts have ventured down to Connecticut to go hang out with Larry. It's the only thing that makes sense at this point. I identified 37 count them 37 bird species in January and he got to 100. That's a lot of birds I tell you! Larry can you do me a favor and send me some of your crossbills, kinglets and redpolls please! ;o)