Just a pleasant day…

Today was just a pleasant day, not exceptional in any way…

although it looks very dark and gray…we have actually had periods of sunshine as well…notice the ‘green’ tinge to the branches…

There were quite a few Green Wing Teal and a few Mallards in this area…the only ducks I saw today.

at the bay by the viewing platform…

there was a Great Blue Heron perched on the piling…the first heron I’ve seen down here for a while.  There were also six Tree Swallows flying around this piling.

and Red Wing Blackbirds in the bushes…this one being a female although there was a male close by.  Red Wing Blackbirds nest in this riparian habitat…not so low down as to be under water when the water levels rise but not so high as to be visible to predators either.  Again, see how the branches are leafing out.  There was a fairly stiff breeze blowing, hence the ‘hair do’.

over at the log bay it was very quiet…there were a few Steller’s Jay and

American Robins in the area…

and the Canada Goose pair were back in their favorite spot.

I noticed on my way back that….

the flowers on the Salmon Berry bushes were almost out.  Another day or so should do it.  This native shrub plays an important role…the flowers will provide a source of feed for the newly arrived Hummingbirds as well as bees…then, since they flower so early, they also fruit early and feed the fruit eaters, Robins, but also species like Cedar Waxwings and Western Tanagers…..and of course, Black Bears.

I haven’t yet seen or heard a Hummingbird on my walks, but I have had a female Rufous Hummingbird coming to my feeder for the past 4 days so they are in the area…numbers will no doubt increase shortly.

What I did see yesterday was…

a Band Tailed Pigeon!  The above file photo was taken on April 10, 2007, in fact the earliest previous record I could find of a first sighting was on April 1st…  Band Tailed Pigeon are the western cousin of the now extinct Carrier Pigeon and almost met the same fate.  Fortunately their numbers have rebounded and they are regular seasonal visitors to this area.  They will most likely be with us for the next 4 to 6 weeks, until the snow melts sufficiently for them to move up into the mountains where they nest.  If you live in the area and want to take on the task of feeding them…they will come to feeders as long as it is a flat ‘platform’ type feeder – just be warned…they are the size of a small chicken and can really go through the bird seed!