Cool birds
Emma and I took our (mostly) daily walk on the ditch that runs along the east side of the Rio Grande Nature Center preserve. In the southeast corner, the southern end of the field marked off by stands of trees was flooded and marshy. Along with the inevitable mallards and huge Canada geese, strutting right near the fence was a cattle egret, with its sulfur-colored crest very visible.
Hummingbirds have arrived - saw one sitting on a wire, sorting things out. I finally saw a couple of Gambrel’s quail - they usually hang out near the ditch all the time, but I haven”t seen any for months. And over by the clear ditch, that runs along the paved bike path west of the RGNC proper, there was a kind of whirlwind of swallows, mostly barn.
A pleasant day. Rained vigorously last night. Wasn’t too muddy, but the smells were freshened and accentuated.