More Waterfowls

At the reservoirs, I found just one Western Grebe amongst other ducks.

"Hi, I am all by myself today.  I am quite independent."

"We are Green-winged Teals."

Up high I saw one Double-crested Cormorant.

"You might have seen us in "鵜飼(Ukai)"
which is an ancient way of catching fish."

A Nice Day

When I am out in the backyard, I always listen to crows.  When they are making a lot of noise, there usually is a hawk nearby.  Today was such a day.

"Hi, on a sunny day, I have to hover up high."

But on the way up, he was caught up by a bunch of American Crows.

"Why don't you leave me alone 

today!  I am just enjoying the nice day."

"I guess I have to go somewhere 

else where no crows can chase me.  Ta, ta....."

Big Foot

At the flooded nature preserve last week,  I saw a couple of American Coots.  Before I always saw them swimming, but today they were out of the water.  Their feet are rather big.

"Yeah, we got big feet."

Back at my backyard.

Gray Squirrel:  "I got a big tail."

Bewick's Wren:  "I got a big mouth."

Spring is in the Air.

The spring flowers, crocus, are beginning to bloom.

The birds began chirping.

"Of course, the spring is in the air."

"All winter long, we came here to the backyard.  

Soon we can go back to the woods to find fresh food."

Flooding near the Reservoir

Quite often during the rainy winter months, the wetlands get flooded.  The other day was such a day.

The road is blocked.  We could not go into the reservoir area where people used to walk, jog, take photos, etc.

Later, we stopped at another nature refugee, which was also flooded at the lower area.  The entry way is higher and was not flooded.   We walked and took some photos.

Young Red-tailed Hawk:  "I could see a lot of water down there.  I hope

 I can find some rodents or something for my breakfast."

Canada Goose:  "We are ok.  It may take a while 

to get the water to recede, though."

A Sunny Day in Winter

It's been two weeks since I went to the nearby reservoir.  Today was sunny and warm.  People as well as birds appreciated it.


At the parking lot, I was greeted by a Red-tailed Hawk who was cleaning up his feathers in the sun.

"A nice day for cleaning up."

Then there were many Northern Pintails in one of the small ponds.

"Spring is coming.  I already picked up my mate."

At the pond across the road,  I saw a dozen of Trumpeter Swans.

"We are back.  We may stay here for a while."

A Greeting from Little Birds

Between the rain storms, I saw a rainbow.  I wish the day would get a lot longer soon.

"The day is still dark!  But very soon, on 1/25, 

I welcome the Chinese Spring Festival."

"What?  The Spring Festival is coming next weekend.  

I will love to see spring blossoms and slurp the nector."