North Shields Ponds

Hooray for another calm, cool August morning: I cannot WAIT for Fall! I looked forward to our walk each day last week, and Maisie and I both enjoyed the healing quiet and peace.

I don't know if Maisie's stroller resembles a large slow animal or not, but it seems 

to have the unusual effect of slowing our wildlife down. This Great Blue Heron

stayed put far longer than I expected.

And this White-tailed Deer (one of a pair) allowed us to come close enough for 

Maisie to really get a good look at her.

Quiet at North Shields Ponds today....some unexpected juncos flitting about,

the usual flickers, not a single duck in the river.

The expected Turkey Vultures were about though, and while Maisie and I took a break 

on a bench, we did have a small interesting raptor fly-by.

Back to Running Deer

Maisie and I have visited Running Deer several times in the last few months; today I thought I'd tackle the camera alongside all the Maisie-gear. The oddest thing at Running Deer lately has been the absence of water - Maisie and I have sat on a bench looking out over a non-pond. Weird. But birds have come to visit while we've sat, so I guess there's adaptation. (Though a lack of grebes, coots and cormorants for sure.)

An overcast day was so wonderful for us -  no rush to beat the heat, but it meant iffy lighting for photos. Eh, it's all good. Kingfisher on the prowl.

The water may be gone but those noisy Killdeer are not.

Flyover. Another secret flyover must have been an owl. Maisie loves owls. 

Okay maybe I love telling her we're looking at owls....

Kingbirds commotioning.

Blue Grosbeak in silhouette. He was one of our previous visitors

 on a camera-less trip to the non-pond.

Shrike. Fall will be so nice....the cooler weather will make this so much more accessible for us!