It was the very end of April and I was back out for a morning walk at Chesnut Park. I found a deer hiding in the back woods. I realized it was a male with those short stumps on his head.

Walking across the picnic area by the lake I could see several deer up ahead. I don’t see them in this area often.

A young parula still had his baby yellow beak.

Ginger, the domestic duck, was still hanging around the docks. This was the last time I saw her. I’m hoping she just moved on.

A grackle showing off his colors in the sun.

A green heron was still in breeding colors with those glowing orange legs.

Flying by the dock included an osprey with a fish, a night heron and wood ducks.

I thought this wood duck was going to land on top of that alligator’s head.

The elusive least bittern made a quick appearance in the reeds. I was lucky to get a few shots of him before he went back into hiding. These guys are usually hard to spot and we don’t see them often here. I just happen to look across the area and saw the reeds moving thinking it was just a green heron. I’m glad I was paying attention.

A purple gallinule flew across the water with a worm in his mouth. Where was he going? He could have eaten that worm on the other side of the spadderdock.

He was skipping along with that worm and I realized there was a baby following him into the big leaves.

There were 2 baby purple gallinules hiding under those big leaves but they both came out in the open when the parent came over with that big worm. They are so cute with that bit of pink on their beaks.