That arctic outflow has us in its grip, but only very loosely. Temperatures hover around the freezing mark, leaving icy patches about but also wet places where the sun shines for a while. On the lake the water level must rise at night, evidenced by the suspended ice plates I often see on days like this.
With brilliant sun and cold we seem to get more birds. This Barred Owl was sitting directly above the path, unperturbed by my attention, swiveling his head as I circled round to get a better angle. He was still there when I returned an hour later, but another photographer had taken my place and no doubt filled his memory card with owl pictures.
Across the floating bridge there were the usual crowd of Mallards and this lonely Hooded Merganser.
Across the lake I had a brief look at this Cooper’s Hawk before it split in a hurry. Maybe it was hungry. They don’t sit still for long.
The lake has flooded the surrounding lowlands and in a seasonal slough behind the ring of bush that borders the lake I saw a large flock of ducks and geese. I walked through the closely cropped grass past a gaggle of grazing Canada Geese to get a closer look. Quite suddenly the flock erupted and headed to the air.
On the return leg a Bewick’s Wren was picking at the bark of a tree.
The last bird I saw was this one, a male House Finch.
nathanguitars 