My dad and I went for a quick walk at the Circle B Bar Reserve last Friday.  We only had time to cover the first part of the Heron Hideout trail, but boy did it feel good to be out!  The cooler weather has been wonderful, and our winter birds are coming back.  It’s like welcoming friends back from a long trip.

It was super foggy when we first got there.   This pair of Sandhill Cranes was foraging in the fog, not too far from the trail.

We heard the little sounds of Common Yellowthroats all over.  They flitted in and out of the bushes.  I had to find a small window in the vegetation to get a peek.  This is a young male.  You can see how his face is darkening as he molts into his adult colors.

Finally the sun peeked out and bathed the landscape in gorgeous golden light.  A couple of Palm Warblers flew from reed to reed in the alligator flag plants.  Often we see Purple Gallinules in those.  On Friday they were the perfect background for warbler images.

As we made our first pass down Heron Hideout, we spotted a Limpkin.  On our way back, the Limpkin was joined by a Glossy Ibis.  His feathers turned iridescent in the sun.  His face is pretty (but it’ll be prettier in a few months in the spring).

We’d been hearing Eastern Phoebes all over the place.  It’s so nice to have them back!  They kept flying between us and the sun – when are these birds going to learn about sun angle? :)  Finally one landed in a tree for a quick snapshot.  Phoebe, phoebe!