Exploring The Granby Connecticut Area

Every weekend, I try to come up with a specific game plan as to what type of birding I will do. On this particular Saturday, I decided to explore the farm fields in Granby CT area. I started later than I had planned (about 7am). I had played some poker at my parent's house the night before. Unfortunately for me, I couldn't stop winning. That's not good news if you plan on quitting early. If I'm not well rested in the morning, excuses start to enter my mind -(It's too far, you're starting too late, you're wasting gas-and on and on). Do you ever fall in to this negativity syndrome? Anyway, I finally gave myself a kick and hit the road.

My first stop was Holcumb Farm in West Granby. Whenever I enter this field, I expect the theme to Little House On The Prairie To Start Playing.-hasn't happened yet though. I was hoping to see some Bobolinks and take a few pictures. I did see 3 Bobolinks but had no luck with getting a photo. I saw some other nice birds while I was here including Cedar Waxwings, Eastern Towhees, Eastern Phoebes, and Eastern Bluebirds. Have you ever seen a drunk Cedar Waxwing? A few years ago I came across Cedar Waxwings that seemed completely tame. They let me walk right up to them. I later found out that these birds can become intoxicated from eating too may berries. Too bad I didn't have a camera back then. There seems to have been Waxwing prohibition ever since I've bought my camera. I also heard one of the Empidonax Flycatchers. I got confused as to whether I heard a Fitz-bew or free-beer call. I'll have to go back and listen to their calls again. One other important note-Holcumb Farm had an electrical fence. I've always wanted to touch one to see how much of a shock you get. I'm just curious.- Have you ever touched an electrical fence? How much of a shock do you get?
Granby had an event called the painted horse parade this year. Local artists painted scenes on horse statues which were displayed around town. Apparently, some of the horses didn't know the parade was over, because they never went home. Does this type of event take place in your region? After making a stop at East Granby Farm-(Nice views of Killdeer, Swallows, and a Wood Duck), I ended up at Northwest Park in Windsor. I didn't spend much time there because it was a bit crowded with joggers, soccer teams, and people walking their dogs. This turtle came over to say hello to me.-What kind of turtle is it?
My best view of the day was probably of this Green Heron. This bird is not uncommon in Connecticut, but I don't see them all that often. The whole scale of common, uncommon, and rare doesn't match what I see anyway. I commonly see some uncommon birds, and rarely see some birds that are considered common. Wasn't it nice of this Heron to help the frog back in to the pond?