Today was planned as an early outing to sit on a rocky outcrop on the Connecticut river.

Based on the opening line I’m sure you see the direction this is taking.

First I made the choice to roll over. That started the decline of a beautiful sunny morning. The bugs were back  bigger than ever, herons dropped in from the trees into the sun, osprey fished out of range of every lens. I knew nothing I shot would be any good when an osprey landed exactly where I have wanted all spring,  just directly in the sun light and for only 2 minutes.

Finally the bugs drove us off and back into the woods towards the road. An unexpected surprise for us was the small birds, never here before, that joined us on the walk back.

I don’t think I have ever photographed an Eastern Phoebe, or even seen one up close. The marsh was not great light but still this was a first for me.

This Goldfinch, in woods not the usual fields, was almost shinning even in the dim light.

When we did get to open light at the trails end a flock of Cow birds arrived. I usually see them mixed with other birds, but here was a small flock of maybe 8 or 10 together.

What had the potential of being a day with nothing productive ended not so bad after all.

I sometimes forget there was a time getting a picture of just one small bird was an event. I might setup in the back yard tomorrow and see what happens.