With each beautiful, sunny Springlike day, one more snowstorm before Winter ends seems unlikely.
With the early arrival of Spring, I wonder how much longer the birds who are wintering at Lake Hemet will stick around. On a recent hike, I discovered some of them are still hanging around.
The White Pelicans can be seen in a tight flock together. Being from the East coast, I still am amazed by these beautiful birds. The Brown Pelicans dominate the Eastern shores.
Yesterday, I saw 10 Gadwalls. A way to remember them is that they look like someone dipped their bottoms in black ink! Like many waterfowl, they will be heading north to breed soon.
A couple of Northern Shovelers were also hanging out at the lake today.
I took a photo of this Lesser Scaup at a different lake. He could have been at Lake Hemet but he wasn't the day I was looking. I included his photo since he is such a fine looking bird!
Mallard Ducks are so colorful. He is a resident at Lake Hemet so he won't be leaving like the other ducks.
One way to support habitat for ducks and other creatures is to buy a Duck Stamp from the post office each year. The money raised is used to purchase or lease wetland habitat within the National Wildlife Refuge System. Each year there is an art competition for the next duck stamp.
The woods around the lake are pretty quiet now. Breeding hasn't begun. I did manage to spot this elusive California Thrasher before it dashed back into the thick cover of Manzanita bushes.
A few birds can always be seen like this Scrub Jay....
a nice plump American Robin....
and the Western Bluebird.
However, the Ground Squirrels with their hideout holes and tunnels can be seen lounging in the sun everywhere!
"There are some who can live without wild things and some who cannot. Like winds and sunset, wild things were taken for granted until progress began to do away with them." Aldo Leopold, Naturalist
