Tuesday, January 17, 2023

A Dry Window

Jeanette scanning for birds

 Yesterday was a dry window in the weather after about 2 weeks of solid rain. We decided to take advantage of the opportunity and choose to take the van to Salem for the day and bird some of our old favorites. Fairview Wetlands was at the top of the list.  I checked back on the records, and we have birded there for 25 years, making 116 checklist lists, and identifying 104 different species of birds. Lots of memories. Back then we started out walking from our house on Reed Court, just looking for a way to get in some milage walking. Discovering birds new to us at the time, like Greater Yellowlegs, changed our focus from walking to birding. The industrial complex of Fairview Business Park had not been developed yet, there was only the undeveloped wetlands. No raised berms, no bark covered trails, and no water controlling dams. Over the years we have continued to come and enjoy the great diversity of bird life. You can see our bird list for today here

Green-wing Teal pair enjoying the morning sun 

Our next stop was Salem Riverfront Park where the fog had not yet lifted.  We stalled a little to have lunch in the warm comfort of the van and I worked on photos from our first stop. As the fog cleared, we stepped out of the van to a busy park, filled with families enjoying a free day due to Martin Luther King Holiday. We walked the length of the park, you can see our bird list here, and then crossed the Peter Courtney Bridge to the North Basin Conservation Area on Minto-Brown Island Park. Here is that list

As we left Salem in bright sunshine, we reflected on our great good fortune to be able to get out and enjoy the day.  Then, much to our surprise as we entered Dallas a rainstorm descended on us, however by the time we had parked the van at Dallas Retirement Village the rain had stopped. 
 

2 comments:

  1. Glad to see your are feeling better and are out birding! I have missed your posts!

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  2. Thanks. Birding always makes me feel better.

    ReplyDelete