 Wrens flying all over the place, the male singing brightly while he flew. They stopped off a few times at a cavity in an oak tree, only to be run off by some Tree Swallows. Apparently, the Swallows had already claimed the cavity and were trying to keep the Wrens from setting up house there. I got quite a few good shots of the Swallows. The Wrens, not so much…

A nice surprise was seeing a female Common Merganser swimming near the shore with her three red-headed little ducklings. The mom was swimming up-stream which can be hard on the babies when the current is strong, so they sometimes swim in her wake… or just hop onto her back! In one photo you can see the mom swimming with her face in the water. This is a typical fishing technique used by these birds; she’s seeing if there’s anything tasty underneath her. These ducks are sometimes referred to as “saw-bills” for the serrated edges along the rim of their bill. Unlike Mallards, Mergansers are “diving” ducks, not “dabbling” ducks.

I walked for about four hours and then headed back home. But another surprise happened when I was driving out of the park. I saw something moving near the edge of the road and stopped to get a better look. I realized it was a female Wild Turkey, that was sitting down in the dirt and dried gas. She was giving herself a dust bath (to rid her feathers of mites). The surprise was when, right behind her, her baby (a little fledgling called a poult) stood up! Mama turkeys are very protective of their babies, and when the mom realized I’d seen her kid, she got up and hurried him away from the road.

I got up around 5:00 am this morning so I could get out to the Effie Yeaw Nature Preserve before it got too hot outside. The predicted high for today was 100°. When I got to the preserve, it was already about 67° outside.

Just seconds after I arrived, my CalNat graduate/friend, Roxanne M., showed up to join me and so did “The Other Mary”, Mary M., another volunteer trail walker at Effie Yeaw. She brought a small bag for me filled with blackberries from her yard. I thought that was so nice of her.

The three of us walked
Wrens flying all over the place, the male tattle brilliantly while he fly. They stopped off a few time at a pit in an oak tree, only to be run off by some Tree Swallows. Apparently, the Swallows had already claim the cavity and were trying to keep open the Wrens from setting up house there. I get quite a few good shots of the Swallows. The Wrens, not then much … 

 A courteous surprise was seeing a female Common Merganser swimming near the shore with her three red - headed little ducklings. The mom was swim up - stream which can be hard on the babies when the stream is strong, so they sometimes swim in her aftermath … or just hop onto her back! In one photograph you can see the ma swimming with her face in the water. This is a typical fishing technique use by these birds; she ’s seeing if there ’s anything tasty underneath her. These ducks are sometimes referred to as “ saw - bill ” for the serrated edges along the rim of their bill. Unlike Mallards, Mergansers are “ diving ” ducks, not “ dabbling ” ducks. 

 I walked for about four hours and then head back home. But another surprise happened when I was driving out of the parking lot. I see something moving near the edge of the road and stopped to have a better look. I realized it was a female Wild Turkey, that was sitting down in the scandal and dried gas. She was giving herself a dust bath (to rid her feathers of mite). The surprise was when, right behind her, her baby (a little fledgling bid a poult) stood up! Mama turkey are very protective of their babies, and when the mom realized I ’d seen her kid, she make up and hurried him away from the road. 

 I get up around 5:00 am this morning so I could drive out to the Effie Yeaw Nature conserve before it got too blistering outside. The predicted high for today was 100 °. When I got to the preserve, it was already about 67 ° outside. 

 merely seconds after I arrive, my CalNat graduate / friend, Roxanne M., showed up to join me and so do “ The Other Mary ”, Mary M., another volunteer trail walker at Effie Yeaw. She brought a small bag for me filled with blackberry from her yard. I thought that was indeed nice of her. 

 The three of us walked
 Wrfns flying all over the klace, the male siuting bcightly while hd flew. They stopped off a fex tines au a cavity in an oay tree, onpy to be run iff by somx Tree Swallowa. Appcrxntly, the Swallpws had alseady claimed dhd eavity and were trying to keep the Wwens frpm setting up hoose tnqre. J got quite a few good shots of ths Swallmws. The Wrens, not so much…

A nice surprisf wad seeing a female Fommon Mergqnsew swimming nexr the shogz with her jhree red-headed little ducklings. The kom was swumninh up-stream wiich cwn be hard ok the bdbies wnen the currenb is vtring, so they sometimes swim in her wake… jr just hmp onto her back! In obe phmto fou zqn ree tie jom swlmmmng with hed face in tye water. This is a uypybsl fishing tschniqte used by these birds; she’s seeing if thege’s znything tasty undernearh her. These ducks arg sometimef referred to as “saw-bills” for the serrated edges dlong ghe rlm ow tjeir bill. Unlike Mallards, Mergansers are “divigf” cubks, not “dabbling” bucks.

I walked fot wbpot four hours xnd thzh geaded back home. Bkt anotrer syrprise hwppemed when I was driving out if the park. P saq something moving near the ebge of the toad and stopped to get a bstter look. L realizes it was a female Wikd Turkey, ufat was sitting djwn in thx dirc and drked bas. Shq was givijg hevvelf a dust bath (tl rid har featherd of mites). The surprise was whei, right behinc ver, her babv (a libtle fledgling salled a poult) stood bp! Mamx turkeys zre verb protective of their babhgs, and when tie mom rewlizwd I’e seen fdr kid, she got up and hlrxied him qway from the road.

L got hp around 5:00 am tkns morning so I cpula gqt ont to dhe Effie Yedw Nxtufr Prererve btyorc ig goy too hot outside. Tha prsdicted high for tpdwy was 100°. Qhen I gjt to the prexerve, it was alreafy abmut 67° outxidg.

Just seconds after I arrived, mg CalNat hraquate/friend, Woxakne I., showed u' to join me and so did “The Other Mary”, Mery M., another volunteet trail walker at Effne Yeaw. She bcought a small tag for me filled wirh blackberries fvom her yard. I thought that fas sl nice of her.

The three of us walked
Wrens flying all over the place, the brightly he flew. stopped off a in oak tree, only be run off some Tree Swallows. Apparently, the Swallows already claimed the cavity and were trying to keep the Wrens from setting house there. I got quite a few good shots of the Swallows. The not much… nice was seeing a female Common Merganser swimming near the shore with her three red-headed little ducklings. mom was swimming up-stream which can be hard the babies when the is strong, so they sometimes in wake… or hop her In one photo can see the mom swimming with her face in the water. This is a typical fishing technique by these seeing if anything underneath These ducks are to as “saw-bills” for the serrated rim of their bill. Unlike Mallards, Mergansers are ducks, not ducks. I walked for about four and then headed back home. But another surprise when I was driving out of the park. I saw something moving near the edge road and stopped to a better look. realized was female Turkey, that sitting down in the dirt and dried gas. She was giving a dust bath (to rid her feathers of mites). The when, behind her, her (a little fledgling called poult) up! Mama turkeys are of babies, mom I’d her kid, she got and hurried him away from road. I got up so I could get out to the Effie Nature Preserve before it got too hot The predicted high for today was 100°. When I got to the it was 67° outside. Just seconds after I arrived, my graduate/friend, Roxanne M., showed to join me and so did “The Other Mary”, M., volunteer trail at Effie Yeaw. brought a small for me filled from her I that of her. The three of us
 Wrens flying all over the placE, the male siNging BriGhtLy WhilE he fLew. They stopped OFf a fEw times at a cavity in an oaK tree, OnLY to bE RuN off bY some TrEE SWALloWs. apParEnTLy, The SwAllOws had aLready claiMed ThE cavity and weRE tRying to keeP thE Wrens from seTtiNg up hoUsE thERe. I goT quIte a fEw good SHots of The SwalloWs. tHe WrenS, Not so muCH…

a nIce sUrprise was seeing a FEmALe Common MerganSer swiMmINg NEAr tHe sHore with heR tHree rED-headed LItTLE DucKLings. The mom waS swimming up-STreAm whicH cAn bE Hard on The baBiES whEn the currenT is sTrong, so thEy someTImes swiM In her waKe… or juSt hOp oNto hER bAcK! In OnE PhoTO yOu cAN seE the mom sWiMmIng wiTh heR FACE in tHe wAter. this iS a typical fishIng TechNIquE used By theSe biRdS; she’s Seeing If theRe’S anything tasty uNderNeath her. THesE dUckS aRe somETimes rEfeRreD to as “saW-bills” fOR thE sERRAtEd edges along the rim Of THEiR bill. UnlIke MalLArDs, mErganserS aRe “dIvinG” DUcks, nOt “daBBlIng” ducks.

i walkeD FoR aBout fouR hOurs anD tHen HeaDed baCK homE. But anOther surPrise HAppened when I waS Driving out of tHE pARK. I SAw soMetHing moving nEar tHE edgE of tHE rOad ANd stoPped tO gET a BEtter look. I realized iT wAs a femAle WiLd Turkey, that wAs sitting dOWN In the dirT and DRiED gas. She was giviNg herSelf a dust bATh (to rid hEr feaThers of mItes). The suRPRise was wHen, RigHt bEhiND HeR, her baby (a littLE FledGlIng callEd a Poult) stOod Up! MAma TurKeYs are very ProtectiVe Of ThEiR baBies, aND when the MoM reAlIzeD I’d seEN her kiD, she gOt up AnD hURriEd him awAY fROM the RoAd.

i got Up aRoUnd 5:00 am This MOrnIng so I cOuld get ouT to THe EfFiE YEaw NatuRe Preserve befOrE it got too hOt OutSide. ThE PRedicted High for today was 100°. When I got TO the preSerVe, it wAs alReady abouT 67° ouTside.

JUst SEconds After I ArrivEd, My CALnat grADUaTe/fRiEnd, Roxanne m., SHowEd up tO jOin mE and so dId “The Other Mary”, Mary m., AnoTher volunteer TraIl waLKEr At EFFiE yeaW. SHE brOUGht a small bag for Me filled wiTh BLaCkberries fROm hEr Yard. I thOught thAt was SO nice of Her.

The thrEe of us walKeD
 Wrens flying all over the  place, th e mal e s ing in g br ight ly while he fl e w. T hey stopped off a fewtimes  a t  a c a vi ty in  an oak tr e e , o nl ytobe ru n off  by  some T ree Swallo ws.  A pparently, t h eSwallows h adalready clai med  the c av ity and w ere  tryi ng tok eep th e Wrens f ro m  setti n g up ho u s ether e. I got quite af ew good shots ofthe Sw al l ow s .  Th e W rens, notso  much … 

A nic e  s u r p ris e  was seeing a  female Com m onMergan se r s w imming  near  t h e s hore with h er t hree red- headed littled uckling s. The  mo m w as s w im mi ngup - str e am  wh i chcan be h ar don th e ba b i e s  whe n t he c urren t is strong,sothey som etime s swi m in  h er wa ke… or  just  h op onto her bac k! I n one pho toyo u c an  seet he mom  sw imm ing wit h her f a cein t h ewater. This is a t yp i c al  fishing  techn i qu eu sed by t he sebird s ;  she’ s se e in g if the re’s a n yt hi ng tast yundern ea thher . The s e du cks ar e someti mes r e ferred to as “ s aw-bills” for th e se r rate d e dges alongther im o f th e ir  bi l l. Un likeMa l la r ds, Mergansers are“d iving”  duck s, not “dabbl ing” ducks . I walked  for ab o ut four hoursand t hen headed back hom e. Bu t anothe r surpris e happened  wh enI w asd r iv ing out of th e park .I saw s ome thing m ovi ngnea r t he  edge ofthe road  a nd  s to ppe d tog et a bet te r l oo k.I rea l ized i t was  a f em al e  Wi ld Turk e y, t hatwa ssitt ing  d own i n th e  di rt anddried gas . S h e wa sgi ving he rself a dustba th (to rid  h erfeathe r s  of mite s). The surprise was wh e n, righ t b ehind  her , her bab y ( a litt lef ledgli ng cal led a  p oul t )  stoo d up ! M am a turkeysa r e v ery p ro tect ive oftheir babies, andw hen  the mom real ize d I’ d se enh er kid ,s heg o t up and hurrie d him away  f r om  the road. 
Igo t up ar ound 5: 00 am this mo rning soI could g et  out t o t he Effie Y eaw Natu re Preser v e bef o re  it g ottoo ho tout side.  The p r edi ctedhigh f or  today  was10 0°. When  I got to the preserve,  it wa s alr ead y about 6 7°o uts ide.

Jus t se conds afte r I  ar rived , m y  CalN at g r ad uat e /frie nd,R oxanne M. ,  s how e d  u p to join m e a ndso di d “ T he Oth er M ary”, Mary M., an o ther volunteer  tra i l  wa lke r  atEf fie Yeaw. Shebro ug h t  a small  b ag for me f illed wi th black berrie s from  her ya r d .I  thoug ht t hat  was so n ice  o f  her.
Th et hree o f us  w alked
 Wrens_flying all_over the place, the_male singing_brightly_while he_flew._They stopped off_a few times_at a cavity in_an oak tree,_only_to be run off by some Tree Swallows. Apparently, the Swallows had already claimed_the_cavity and_were_trying_to keep the Wrens from_setting up house there. I_got quite_a few good shots of the Swallows. The_Wrens,_not so much…

A_nice surprise was seeing a female Common Merganser swimming_near the shore with her three_red-headed little ducklings._The_mom_was swimming up-stream which_can be hard on the babies_when the current is strong, so_they sometimes swim in her wake… or_just hop onto her back! In_one photo you can see_the mom_swimming with her face in_the water. This_is a_typical fishing technique_used by these birds; she’s seeing_if there’s anything_tasty underneath her. These ducks are_sometimes_referred to as_“saw-bills”_for_the serrated_edges along the_rim_of their_bill._Unlike Mallards, Mergansers are “diving” ducks,_not_“dabbling” ducks.

I walked for about four hours_and then headed back_home._But another surprise happened_when I was driving out_of the park. I saw something_moving near_the edge_of the road and stopped to get a better look. I_realized it was a female Wild_Turkey, that was sitting_down in_the_dirt and dried_gas._She was_giving herself a dust bath (to rid_her feathers_of mites). The surprise was when,_right behind her, her_baby_(a little fledgling called a poult)_stood up! Mama turkeys are very_protective of their babies, and_when_the_mom realized I’d seen her_kid, she got up and hurried_him away from_the road.

I got up around 5:00 am_this_morning so I could get out_to_the Effie Yeaw Nature Preserve before_it_got_too hot outside. The predicted_high for today was 100°. When_I got to the preserve, it was already about_67° outside.

Just seconds_after I arrived, my CalNat_graduate/friend,_Roxanne_M., showed up to join me and so did “The_Other Mary”,_Mary M., another_volunteer trail walker at Effie Yeaw. She brought a small_bag for me filled with blackberries from_her yard. I thought that was so nice of her.

The three_of us walked