Wintry Return to Old Rifle Range Trail

Where White and Blue trails converge. (2/18/14)

On Tuesday, I went for a walk. While some things have changed since my last "photoshoot" at the Old Rifle Range Trail at the Ellison Park Wetlands Center in Penfield, New York, in Summer 2007, most significantly the name of the park, much has stayed very much the same. Now called the Lucien Morin Park is located on the north side of Ellison Park and continues to Irondequoit Bay. Based on my review of the those old pictures from 2007, a change in trail markings (or "flashes") has also been made. The official Monroe County Parks Map of Rifle Range Trail still shows a range of flashes (blue, white, yellow, salmon, pink and red) Today, I hiked the same trail and never crossed a yellow trail (though upon further review maybe I didn't wander south enough). Trail markings not withstanding, these trails in winter are very easy to hike as the visual reminders (marsh, very busy Empire Boulevard) and leaf-less trees make finding oneself very easy.

Of course, this was a winter hike rather than a summer trail run, but the exercise was no less difficult.

The trail-head accessed off Empire Boulevard. (2/18/14)

An appropriate--though challenging--trail flash to follow in winter. (2/18/14)

Perhaps snowshoes would have been in order for today's walk. (2/18/14)

(2/18/14)

While momentarily off the beaten trail, quickly found my way back on. (2/18/14)

Mystery Bird/ (2/18/14)

The bird pictured above (and below) is something of a mystery. Despite attempting to use the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's All About Birds online field guide to properly identify it employing a range of criteria, including body shape, I had difficulty concluding exactly what kind of bird it is. I'm confident it is something obvious and familiar (and therefore ubiquitous) I am not confident of exactly what it is: Wood Thrush? Hermit Thrush?

Simply because it is on a felled tree does not make it a Wood Thrush, right? (2/18/14)

Blue trail flashes abound. (2/18/14)

(2/18/14)

Adult female Downy Woodpecker. (2/18/14)

An adult female Downy Woodpeckers give a checkered black-and-white impression. The black upperparts are checked with white on the wings, the head is boldly striped, and the back has a broad white stripe down the center.

Adult female Downy Woodpecker. (2/18/14)

(2/18/14)

(2/18/14)

Look carefully, pretty sure it's a Brown Creeper! (2/18/14)

Brown Creeper are well camouflaged and inconspicuous against tree bark in a shady forest, but if you keep your eyes peeled for movement, you may find a creeper zigzagging upward as it gleans insects from the trunk, or see the small shape of one dropping from high on a trunk to the base of a nearby tree. Once learned, the high, insistent call note can alert you to the presence of these birds. Look for Brown Creepers in mature woods, if possible, though you can also find them in parks and suburban areas in the winter (from AllAboutBirds.org).

(2/18/14)

(2/18/14)

(2/18/14)

Wetlands in winter. (2/18/14)

(2/18/14)

Wetlands housing available. (2/18/14)