Living skies

Today came as a special treat!

with sunny skies....but before we go there a few photos from the past wet, gloomy week.

there have actually been a lot of birds around... Northern Flicker continue in large numbers...so do robins.  A few more Varied thrush have shown up.  There have been Kinglets, both varieties....hopeless to get photos at the best of times and impossible in the gloom.

The last few days there has been a pretty big flock of these little guys....

Pine Siskin.....these guys have been absent for months but now seem to be back, although not coming to feeders - at least not mine!  I've tried to see if there are any red-polls with them but so far haven't spotted any.

the number of Bald Eagles has visibly declined now.  Haven't seen any live fish for about a week so once the food is gone, so are most of the birds.  A bit earlier than what we would consider 'normal'.  Usually the decline doesn't happen until early January.

but lets get to our 'living skies'....

headed over to Harrison Bay for a walk....

as soon as started out, could hear what sounded like a lot of Canada Geese....well boy were there ever!  Don't recall ever seeing so many....

this is just one tiny portion....they stretched from right beside the dike to the far side of the fields....some smaller Cackling Geese mixed in as well.  My 'guesstimate' is at least 2,000.

and then, suddenly, for no apparent reason

they flew in all directions...

What a sight!  Some headed out and settled onto the bay

Some headed east....

 Some circled over head

they would fly off and disappear from sight, and then next thing you knew they were headed back....calling the whole time.  It was amazing!

I guess I shouldn't leave with out mentioning the eagles that continue to be seen over here beside the river in higher numbers than I can recall other years.  

Also saw a Loon today....on the other hand, didn't see a single small bird the entire walk!  But the geese made up for it.