Dog days of summer

Home again for a little while so got for a walk over to the park today.  The path across the grasslands is still under water although more and more of the grasslands are being exposed.  It is the time of year when things tend to be very quiet. 

This was the view from the viewing platform.  Nothing moving.  Purple Martins are gone, just a few Barn Swallows still around.

Vegetation getting very ratty looking - rose hips are ripening, some leaves are starting to fall...the good thing about this time of year is that you know it means fall and winter are on their way - because of course, it is fall and winter when this area comes into it's own.

The log bay is still a bay.....

but they have actually had to move the bench back to right beside the path because the bank has become so eroded.

looking down the other way....

there was a family of American Goldfinch at the log bay - this being the male, back into his sort of smudged looking plumage.

and I did spot this....

fledgling Flycatcher....not sure what type, usually either a Pacific slope or an Alder in this area.   There was also a male Black-headed Grosbeak feeding a youngster, seems a bit late, but then I've noticed this year that there seem to be a few late families....for interest thought I'd post a few photos from our last trip away....all taken at Tunkwa Lake P. P.

American Crows usually nest quite early but this family had a couple of noisy youngsters still begging to be fed.

there was a family of House Wren as well...

Young Cedar Waxwing eating a Saskatoon Berry

Chipping Sparrow fledgling still being fed....

and then there were the baby ducks....Lesser Scaups....hard to believe these little guys will be ready to leave before the lake starts to freeze but obviously they will because they are always there in mid August while other species young are already just about grown.

and one last photo...Turkey Vultures....this is an evening roosting area - counted 27 that evening.

Not sure if I'll have another posting before we head to the island for a month or so.  If not, well, we should be arriving home about the same time as the Salmon and eagles start to arrive....well hopefully salmon will arrive!