Took a stroll along the canal path during lunch. Barn Swallows are busy
building nests under the Rt. 1 bridge. Orchard Orioles were singing perched
in the open in several places. Common Yellowthroats responded to some
pishing by popping up to see what was happening. Three sets of female Wood
Ducks with babies were out for a swim. The first set I saw had 7 tiny
babies still very dark overall. One pair of Wood Ducks burst out of the
underbrush & seemed upset by something back in the tangle. I hope nothing
was raiding a nest. I saw that the mother Wood Ducks carefully avoided the
Great Blue Heron stalking along the canal. First one Red-shouldered Hawk
flew just above the canal; then with a soft keer another joined it. A pair
of Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers wheezed overhead. I love the way they cock their
heads & look up & down. One vine entangled tree had a whole flock of
American Goldfinches in it. In the top of a snag over Snowden Pond a
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker appeared to be preening after a bath. On the very
dry "pond" was a single & very Solitary Sandpiper.
--
Lee Loudenslager Adams
Suggett's Point Warsaw, VA
Fredericksburg, VA
