Four Score And Three Years Ago

I had an extra day off from work to make for a longer Easter Weekend. I decided to visit Hammonasset State Park. This park is known for being one of the best birding spots in Connecticut. Even on a slow day, there are birds to see here. Due to very windy conditions, it was a somewhat slow day for birding.

I was just getting ready to enter the Willard Island Nature Trail, when I ran in to an older gentleman named John who is also a birder. We ended up spending a few hours birding together. When I asked John how old he was this was his response: "Four Score and three years"- (83 years old). John is a determined birder. He doesn't mind talking, but not at the expense of missing birds-perfect-just the way I like it. He moved along at a great pace -barging through wooded trails and knocking away along the way. He was able to show me new trails that I didn't know about. He walked way out to the furthest reaches of the park-jumping over puddles and climbing hills along the way. All I could do was admire this gentleman, and hope that I'm able to enjoy life the way he does if I make it to 83.

A few of the standout birds for me included: SNOWY EGRET, GREAT EGRET, DUNLIN, AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER , and a male AMERICAN KESTREL. I didn't take many pictures because my batteries ran out.-note to me-must get back-up batteries.