A Walk in the Park

January 29th, the last Sunday in January, was a clear skies, still waters 

and warm termperatures day...perfect for a loooong walk in the park.

The grounds were still soaking in the rain from the downpour a few days earlier.

I've never seen White Rock so wet!

I wasn't able to use my favorite "watching" spot but I'm not complaining
because we definitely needed the rain.

The spillway was still rushing to the point that even a Great Blue Heron

had so much difficulty balancing herself

that she finally decided the struggle wasn't worth it

so she flew to the rocky area at the bottom of the spillway

to do her fishing.

Even the typically grouchy White Chinese Goose seemed in a good mood.

She'd ready herself...

nibble around for something to eat...

stare at me while she ate it...

then go for another bite...never ONCE honking at me!

Squirrels were everywhere...

to my left...

and to my right!

They seemed to enjoy running through, around and over these stumps.

They'd play for a while and then stop for a snack.

This little guy was so funny. Every time he stopped to eat something,

he would grab it, run over to this same stump and eat while seeming to

be watching his shadow.  I watched him do this over and over and over again!

Red-winged Blackbirds were out

chirping loudly!

I'm not sure what kind of bird this is, and I only saw the one,

but she seemed to enjoy my company and as I would continue walking,

she'd fly to a tree closer to me; this went on until I returned to the truck!

I saw Blue Jays,

Red Bellied Woodpeckers,

a female Downy Woodpecker.  Here she's leaning back in preparation of

pecking away for something juicy to eat!

Mockingbirds were abundant and this one

was either excited about the beautiful weather

or doing some sort of mating ritual, but whatever it was it was fun to watch!

I saw a Cardinal couple,

a beautiful American Kestrel,

Red Shouldered Hawk, a

Red Tailed Hawk, and

a Monk Parakeet!

There were flying ducks

and others stealing a private moment.

This Double-Crested Cormorant chose a dry limb to take a nap

while this Greater Scaup chose to take a floating snooze.

Usually there's a LOT of people out here feeding the ducks and birds, but not last
Sunday, so it was slim pickins'.  The minute this gull landed and found a bite

it was "game-on!"

Thankfully she swallowed quickly and was on her way!
And you know me...I can't forget my favorite...
so if you're sick of seeing them...click out NOW!

The white pelicans were plentiful and entertaining. I spent hours watching them

flying in

and landing;

preparing for lift off...

going air-borne...

and taking off again.

There was lots of preening and

feather cleaning;

feather drying and

feather cooling!

Some swam...

some rested...

and this one seemed to be

playing a game of peek-a-boo with me!

Some preferred

the company

of friends,

while others

perferred solitude.

All in all

it was a very enjoyable and relaxing winter day.