Turtle Romance

Two eastern painted turtles meet up on a log at Hatters park in Danbury. Spring is here and romance is in the air!

Seagulls at Candlewood Park

At Candlewood Park in Danbury, the seagulls occupy the grass along with our friends the Canada geese. There are actually several species of seagulls that populate inland Connecticut. I think these are ring-billed gulls. Any bird experts out there care to identify them?

Here they are in flight:

They appear to get along quite well the the park's Canada geese (see earlier post). As I approached them on the grass, they separated themselves from the geese and finally took off.

Wildlife in Candlewood Park

Canada Geese graze not far from the lake at Candlewood Park in Danbury, CT. When most people think of these animals, they think of the mess they leave behind and prefer Swans like our friend Psycho at Hatters Park (see earlier post.) But according to biologists, mute swans are an invasive species that were imported from Europe in 1910. Mute swans are more destructive to plants in their eating habits than Canada geese and "steal" territory from native birds. Still, I like them both. Tomorrow's post: More birds at Candlewood Lake.

Postcards from Candlewood Park

Candlewood Park is located on Hayestown Road in Danbury, Connecticut, right across the street from the Danbury Police Athletic League buiding. It was raining today, but as you can see from the picture below, the colors of spring shone through. Tomorrow's post: Wildlife on Candlewood Lake.

Stopping by Hatters Park

A great blue heron stops by Hatters Park for a visit. Herons nest in colonies, and according to the Connecticut DEP website, great blue herons start nesting in dead standing trees near wetlands by the end of April. They eat fish, turtles, frogs, salamanders, insects, and even small birds. They stand 3 feet tall and can have a wingspan of 6 feet! Herons are dangerous to handle--they have sharp bills and can cause serious injury to a human. No wonder Psycho the Swan (see previous post) doesn't mess with him!

Hatters Park's most familiar resident

Above, Psycho the Swan makes himself very tall and wide in the pond at Hatters Park, no doubt trying to convince the Canada goose on the left that he'd be better off finding somewhere else to live. Below, Psycho takes more direct action.


Psycho is a mute swan. Mute swans can weigh 18-35 pounds. Male swans are called cobs, females, pens, and baby swans are called cygnets. I always look forward to seeing Psycho and his family every spring.

The king of Hatters Park

Meet Psycho the Swan. He lives at Hatters Park in Danbury. My kids tagged him with this name for his ferocity during nesting season. He usually nests on the little island in the middle of the pond. He is already chasing ducks and Canada geese away from his territory. We haven't seen his mate yet this season. Tomorrow's post: Psycho in action.

Spring has arrived in Hatters Park

This is a great time to visit Hatters Park on East Hayestown Road in Danbury. Before the bustle and activity of girls softball season, the park is quiet and restful. Tomorrow's post: One of my favorite characters--a swan that makes his home in the pond.