Pied billed Grebe

With the long weekend over the place has calmed down and the birds dare to reappear.  Spent a bit of time just sitting down in our boat launch area this afternoon

it was a cool, cloudy day.  Seems after a couple of abnormal summers, this year, at least so far is back to typical weather for the season.

While we sat there...

there were a number of swallows of various varieties flying around then this male Barn Swallow settled down on a nearby branch to preen itself.  I was watching him when...

I spotted this Pied-billed Grebe sneaking through the grass.  We hear them out there all the time but spotting them is another thing altogether!

so here is another look.

then in the evening there were Canada Geese sneaking around out there all over the place.  While I was taking this picture, husband was over at the park where he found....

Cedar Waxwings....

and...

this Beaver!

and a White-crowned Sparrow, probably picking little bugs off of this Tansy, while I'd better not forget...

this Eurasian Collared Dove flew down for a drink.