12 January, 2021

 eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S79144320

Weather: 9 am 9 C, wind E6;  1pm 9C, wind calm

Tide:  11 am 3.8 m, rising


I hadn't expected to be able to get out this morning.  The forecast was ominous last night, but this morning, it looked as though it might be cloudy but dry.  As I ate breakfast it started to rain, but let up after a brief shower, so I set out, equipped with my camera's rain coat.

It started out quite grey and gloomy but gradually looked a bit more encouraging.  There had been heavy rain last night, apparently.  Fields were even more flooded than they have been, and the river was higher than ever.  The warmer weather we've had lately has brought the snow level higher and the snow melt is bringing the river up.




Notwithstanding, it was quite birdy this morning.  There were snow geese in the fields along with the Canada geese, two eurasian collared doves (which haven't been in evidence for weeks), and lots of robins--also not here since late November.  


It also seems as though there are varied thrushes in residence.  I hadn't realised that until recently, but there were three of them this morning.  They've always been among my favourite birds, but I've never been anywhere before where they were frequent.



I managed one photo that I'm pleased with--


And there were golden-crowned kinglets, which I find hard to photograph.  They tend to be very lively and to spend most of their time in dense shrubbery.   I lucked into this photo, which isn't perhaps the best quality, but I think it shows the attitude of little birds.


Maybe it calls out for captions?

Mid-tide at the shore, not lots of ducks, but a selection.  By the time I reached my elevenses bench, the sun was making its way through the clouds and highlighting gulls sitting on a sandbar.




  


Making my way back from the shore, there was a very slow garter snake in the path.  I think it was cold, but I'd no idea how to warm the poor creature, so I left it.  It was much easier to photograph than the birds have been lately.



The sun broke through in patches into the woods.


On the return path, there was a quite cooperative Anna's hummingbird.  



It's not like I don't have lots of photos of hummingbirds, but I really like the colours in this shot.  And now I'm finding myself wondering who "Anna" is or was?  Must investigate.


Dry weather forecast for tomorrow and the next day.  We shall see.

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