Dog Days of Summer VCDB July 3

[Y Cymry]

Some images from the Drying Beds on Friday July 3. Had a nice morning. Missed the Least Grebe but did see a Least Bittern in pond 15 which didn't stick around long enough for a photo. Also found the first vanguard of the fall migration with single Upland Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs and Lesser Yellowlegs. About 5-6 Common Moorhens were spotted and heard in various ponds in the southeast quadrant. Several little flocks of House Finches were enjoying the many stands of sunflowers. Watched an immature Cooper's Hawk attempt to catch swallows at pond 8. Two White Ibis were in Pond 36.

+++Also, I forgot to mention that I saw the first group of feral pigs (about 6 at the northwest corner) that I have seen at the drying beds in many months. Very furtive and fast moving, they dashed for cover the instant they saw me. I thought the pigs had all been removed but apparently......They're back.

Great Egret
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss216/cynedd_nannau/D2H_6858.jpg


Little Blue Heron
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss216/cynedd_nannau/D2H_7025.jpg


Cattle Egret
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss216/cynedd_nannau/D2H_6913.jpg


White Ibis with a Snowy Egret
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss216/cynedd_nannau/D2H_6927.jpg

More images to follow....

[Y Cymry]

More images:

Black-bellied Whistling Duck
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss216/cynedd_nannau/D2H_6861.jpg

Wood Duck family
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss216/cynedd_nannau/D2H_6931.jpg

Common Moorhen
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss216/cynedd_nannau/D2H_6887.jpg

Upland Sandpiper
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss216/cynedd_nannau/D2H_6980.jpg

[Y Cymry]

And a few more:

Red-winged Blackbird and sunflowers
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss216/cynedd_nannau/D2H_6991.jpg

Pipevine Swallowtail
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss216/cynedd_nannau/D2H_6960.jpg

Pipevine Swallowtail
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss216/cynedd_nannau/D2H_6965.jpg

[Y Cymry]

And we shouldn't neglect the Odonata:

Four-spotted Pennant (Female)
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss216/cynedd_nannau/D2H_6953.jpg

Eastern Pondhawk (Female)
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss216/cynedd_nannau/DSC_2587.jpg


Blue Dasher (Male)
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss216/cynedd_nannau/D2H_6957.jpg

Thanks,

Cyn

[Elaine]

As someone who can no longer brave the heat and humidity without causing great discomfort to body and spirit--not to mention residual heat crankiness--I thank you for these most beautiful images of the Dog Days activity at the beds. As common as these summer visitors may seem to us, they are still and always a joy to see. Loved your RWBB photo, and especially the wood duck family. Lovely shots!

[Myrna Colibri]

Hi Cyn,
Thanks for sharing your beautiful images, your Red-winged blackbird is a postcard for summer.
Regards,
Myrna

[Larry S]

Absolutely gorgeous shots - all of them. But I've got to say the detail on that Cattle Egret in particular is nothing short of astounding. Very nice!

[Y Cymry]

As someone who can no longer brave the heat and humidity without causing great discomfort to body and spirit--not to mention residual heat crankiness--I thank you for these most beautiful images of the Dog Days activity at the beds. As common as these summer visitors may seem to us, they are still and always a joy to see. Loved your RWBB photo, and especially the wood duck family. Lovely shots!

Thanks Elaine,

I find myself liking the hot weather less and less each year too. The trick is to get out early as you can to make it a little more bearable, but when it's in the 80's at sunrise you know it can only get worse as the morning progresses.:( Summertime can be a season of birding surprises and rewards too, like Ed's skimmer at the beds a couple of week's ago. That's why I keep making the effort. I just don't stay out as long as I might have in my younger days.

Cyn

[Y Cymry]

Hi Cyn,
Thanks for sharing your beautiful images, your Red-winged blackbird is a postcard for summer.
Regards,
Myrna

Thank you Myrna,

I liked the lucky catch of the flying insect in the frame.

Cyn

[Y Cymry]

Absolutely gorgeous shots - all of them. But I've got to say the detail on that Cattle Egret in particular is nothing short of astounding. Very nice!



Thanks Larry,

I think that's my favorite capture of the group, too..

Cyn