After several walks down Lust Road this month, I ventured out on my bicycle to let me cover more ground. It was awesome!! I took my camera in my backpack and hopped off the bike when I came across a good subject. There were plenty of good subjects…

My first bird was one of the Song Sparrows that has been hanging around the entrance. He chose one of the least picturesque locations to pose!

I came across a feeding frenzy of wading birds. A half dozen Snowy Egrets, a few Little Blue Herons, and a pair of Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. A few of the Snowy Egrets were in breeding plumage, with red lores and lacy feathers. They were flapping their wings as they fished for breakfast. I caught this one with his fish in mid-air.

Then the Greater Yellowlegs shook off her feathers and flapped her wings wide.

I stopped at the Crazy U to look for possible migrants, but the trees were empty. The trees have leafed out already, which will make it harder to spot migrants when they do come through. Then I continued down towards the pump house, and I found a trio of Black-necked Stilts in the canal. One flew past me out in the marsh, giving me a great flight shot opportunity.

Along Welland, a small flock of Caspian Terns was hanging out on the road. It was great to be out there with no cars! The terns took off and flew past me on their way to the lake.

A Double-crested Cormorant sat tall on a snag in the marsh. She was pretty in the soft morning light.

Down by the lake, I paused to watch the birds fly by. I don’t often walk down by the lake, and the breeze felt good on my face. Cormorants and Anhingas are nesting down there, and I this beautiful Anhinga in full breeding plumage flew right in front of me.

The morning grew late, and I turned around to bike back to my car. My last bird of the morning was this Red-winged Blackbird, who caught my attention as he sat singing in the cattails. Pretty soon he’ll be teaching his babies to fly!