The drained upper impoundment is starting to attract some different birds. Several Great Egrets were hiding among the lotus. While we were talking with Alan, three Green Herons flew in and landed in one of the maples near the tower. Of course, I had the wrong lens ... back to the car for the 500mm. When I returned they dropped into the brush.
All wasn't for naught as this Song Sparrow serenaded us for a few minutes. The Green Herons popped up again and headed to the channel. Two hid in the reeds, while the third wandered in the least photographic area it could find. They day continued like this; some interesting opportunity, followed by something that messed it up.
Back on the Cross Dike Trail there were plenty of the usual suspects like ducks and geese. There were also some more recent arrivals like this juvenile Viginia Rail and these American Goldfinches.
Canada Goose Landing
With the temps in the 80s this duck's bill couldn't be cold
Juvenile Virginia Rail - my how they've grown in 3 weeks
Goldfinch
Female Red-winded Blackbird on Lotus
The Great Egrets and several Great Blue Herons flew to the upper impoundment ditch in the that feeds the water control gate. I seemed to always have the exposure set for an egret when shooting a heron and vice versa. I hope the next time I visit that they'll be closer to the gate. Even with the 500mm they were a quite far away. Some how, one Great Blue Heron snuck up the canal to go fishing. I did manage to catch him as he caught lunch.
Great Egret
A Great Meadows classic view of lotus and the tower...need to take it again when people are on the tower
Great Blue Heron with Lunch
