Friday was a beautiful cool front, blue-sky day and the temptation to drive the hour and a half to see if the winter waterfowl had arrived from up north was too much to resist. The leaves in the yard could wait! I suspected at least a few early arrivals would be cavorting in the lake and impoundments. It had been since last February and I was just glad to be getting back to one of my favorite places. It was 8:30 before I left, so I arrived around 10. Driving in, I could see nothing on the large front impoundment , but could hear the tundra swans making a racket on the lake. Going up Wildlife Drive, I saw two eagles in the tall trees across the canal, a few kingfishers, a kestral, great egret, G. blue heron, comorants, and dozens of turtles still trying to warm up in the sun. I drove to the old Lodge and walked to the rear, east side of the canal to see if there were night herons who frequently hang out there, but no luck. I could still hear the Swans calling me, so drove out to the main lake and they were tucked out of the west wind in a cove a couple hundred yards to the left of the road. Mixed in with them were a few coots and scattered shovelers. The real numbers of swans and ducks are not here yet, but by the end of November, there should be a good influx with good variety-I want to be here this winter on a freezing cold day!! I did manage to get a few pics, mostly of year-round residents, but did get a migrant or two----
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