June 8, 2012
The weather's been putrid lately. I took a break from building the Ark and walked on the North Creek Trail this morning. I had to take out my umbrella and look like a tourist at one point. ;-)

The water level on the Big Pond was higher than I'd ever seen and the birds were few and far between. I don't blame them for huddling somewhere dry.
     
   
     
Takin' time to smell the buttercups.
 
     
   
     
'Eeeep! I hear someone coming! This is no good! No good at all!'.
 
     
   
     
'I'm outta here! Giddyap!
 
     
   
     

I noticed one of the ducklings had a deformed beak. It didn't seem to be hampering him in any way as he looked sturdy and swam as well as his sibling. According to Google, an embryo's exposure to crude oil can cause deformity.
 

     
   
     

And this one never stopped quacking! Have mercy!.
 

     
   
     
'Oh yeah? I can do that too!' bragged a Red-winged Blackbird.
 
     
   
     
His song was far more melodic and far less annoying..
 
     
   
     
A Green Heron huddled in the bushes and watched.
 
     
   
     
On the pond near Tim's office a Hooded Merganser swam back and forth.
 
     
   
     
'Wait! Am I lost? Which way to the woods? Who's got a GPS?'