CT: snow and birds

I have been in Connecticut for a week now.  Snow is mostly crusty on top so I don't sink in while walking out to fill the bird feeders.  Sue and I walked to the river on snowshoes and enjoyed the winter woods. 
     This week I accompanied Sue to New Haven each day.  Some days I was working as a volunteer at the museum, other days I went birding on the coast.  Going west was more productive. Highlights were Long-tailed Ducks, Surf Scoters, and a Common Loon between West Haven and Stratford Point.  Friday I went Hammonassett Park hoping to see the Crossbills.  No luck there.  A Cardinal, a Savannah Sparrow, Sanderlings and Gulls on the beach.
     This weekend we plan to stay home and watch OUR birds, the Chickadees, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Titmice, Juncos, and more.

Exploring around town

A few days ago a friend of theirs came to Reno and we went hiking.  This area is on the northwest corner of Reno along the Truckee River. 

Yesterday I drove a bit west to the small town of Verdi to a county park along the Truckee River.  This area is popular for fishing.  I found birds:  a White-headed Woodpecker  (!!!!), 2 male Downy WP,  Mountain Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Bewick's Wrens, Oregon Juncos, and a Belted Kingfisher.  Further north on the road, at a previous river crossing, a male Barrow's Goldeneye floated down the river.  Another avian surprise.
     Late afternoon I walked around Damonte Wetlands in southeast Reno.  Usually I see Green-winged Teal, Mallards, Coot, and Canada Geese.  The female Harrier is usually sitting on her favorite wooden post.  This walk was more exciting,  an immature Golden Eagle flew over my head !!   It took off to the east.   5 minutes later I found 3 Wilson's Snipe feeding in the area where the Bittern had been a week ago.

 I found this juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron at Virginia Lake a few days ago.

Saturday I fly to Connecticut to visit my east coast family.  Snow drifts here I come.

around Reno

a few photos,  The mountains we see from their neighborhood.


The city park, Virginia Lake, had large numbers of Canada Geese, Mallards, and Ring-billed Gulls.  On the far side, a group of Hooded Mergansers were foraging together.

 Such pretty ducks.

Reno

Thursday morning I drove away from San Diego and went north to visit another visit friend.  We had not seen each other for several years.  How much her children have grown !!    We had some good talks.
      Friday afternoon and Saturday I drove north on Hwy 395 to Reno.  At first I was worried about driving the eastern Sierra highway in winter.  Its been very dry in eastern California, with less snow on the high peaks.  Water levels on Mono Lake, and other lakes are really down with each lake showing a large apron of mudflats.  The sky was overcast, so I took only a few photos. 
      My friends have a nice rental house in south Reno with an amazing view of snow-capped mountains.  Sunday morning the high peaks were spectacular against a blue sky.  In the afternoon we walked to a nearby wetlands area carrying our binoculars.  The usual Mallards, American Wigeon, Canada Geese, and Coot were present.  Then an American Bittern appeared at the grassy edge of the water with its bill pointed straight up.  Kris said, that one will get a stiff neck if he stands like that for too long.  Later on we saw a Western Bluebird in a tree.


Top right photo of Mono Lake from the highway.  Lower left photo of Sierras just north of Lee Vining.  There is not enough snow to fill the reservoirs this Spring.