Imagining that it was still really quiet in this midsummer breeding season almost anywhere, I was drawn to visit McGinnis Slough the last two Sunday mornings. Farther than the two places I frequent normally, but not so far away that I had to get up any earlier, I drove to the slough first on July 25. The first bird I saw well enough to photograph was a slightly frazzled-looking House Finch. Soon afterward, I was delighted to see the young Pied-billed Grebe at the top of the post.
I then saw a Green Heron, but it was hard to separate from the reeds.
One Wood Duck was fairly close.
And I got a couple views of a Killdeer.
I could not ignore the Swamp Rose Mallow.
I also had a most obliging Blue Dasher Dragonfly.
A Great Blue Heron flew to a tree.
And an Osprey flew overhead.
But maybe most interesting of all was seeing a Mallard hen watching over her one late duckling.
On August 2, a week later, even fewer birds were available for photographs, but sometimes less is more. I just managed to watch these Wood Ducks vanish from my vantage point soon after I arrived.
And then came the big surprise. Two adult Trumpeter Swans arrived not too far from the trail with their two juveniles. We had just received a lot of rain, which filled the slough with enough water for the swans to visit the parts they don’t normally frequent. I’ve had this happen before, and it’s just wonderful to see these birds closer.
I again had a very cooperative Blue Dasher Dragonfly.
And this tiny butterfly I believe to be a Hobomok Skipper.
That’s it for now. I can appreciate the slow season for what it is.
I hope that your wrist recovery is going well. I am very envious of your dragonfly pictures as I can’t get down to our local ponds at the moment.
Thanks, Tom. I think I’m feeling better… I hope some dragonflies wait for your return to local ponds.
Nice to see some Trumpeter Swans with no rust color on their necks, unlike my more recent views.
Kudos to you for birding in the heat at McGinnis.
I also learned a little about two colorful insects.
Thanks, Bob. The swans are over on the far side 99% of the time and without a scope they’re hard to see, so I really appreciate it when they go exploring after a lot of rain.
I don’t remember it being too hot the past two Sundays. I just needed a change of pace.
As for the insects, there are so few. I can remember dreading the deer flies years back, and I am now missing even them.