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.

Did you see the moon last night?

Last night the spring peepers were calling, and it was warm enough to stand outside and take pictures of the moon. It reminded me of lines from "The Cloud," by Percy Bysshe Shelley.

That orbed maiden with white fire laden,
Whom mortals call the Moon,
Glides glimmering o'er my fleece-like floor,
By the midnight breezes strewn...

Signs of Spring

Maple trees across the street from my house popped out today, along with some very shy buds on my hydrangea bushes. What are the signs of spring where you live?

The Mail Car

At the Danbury Railway Museum, you can walk inside beautifully preserved as restored engines. This is a mail car.