When I went through the covered boardwalk entrance this morning, I saw the mother of the chunky, juvenile Yellow-Crowned-Night Heron perched on the railing and looking toward the feeding place. The bird was usually facing the water, so I looked at the feeding place, too. I saw two juvenile Yellow-Crowned-Night Herons busily hunting fish among six Snowy Egrets, four ducks, and several Green Herons. I thought that one of the juvenile Yellow-Crowned-Night Herons might be her offspring.
It was wonderful to share some time on the boardwalk, which was slightly damp from the morning dew, with a mother and a teenage sister of a diver. The morning sun became much brighter while we were chatting and walking. The eyes of the mother sparkled as she said that it was her son’s second day to dive, and her daughter would be joining the diving team, too. The young lady nodded and smiled. I was happy that her beautiful eyes would soon see the wonders of the underwater world.
Young divers in wetsuits were excitedly waiting at the Landing. One of them told me that they came much earlier than they were scheduled. One father was giving some instruction to young divers. One young lady could hardily wait to dive, but she smiled and said, “The water is cold.”
Five orange kayaks were tied beside the kayak dock, indicating that it would be a busy morning for kayak tours.
Two carts were ready for transporting the divers’ gear to the diving facility. I was glad to see the way they were neatly set up. The area around the Landing was filled with excitement this morning.
A Red-Shouldered Hawk was perched on a bare tree branch behind the Landing. The tree does not produce leaves on particular branches, so it was a good resting place for the bird, providing a superb view of the lake. The Hawk was looking around for a while, and then flew away toward the hill.
July 24, 2010
I was happy to see the feeding place busier than usual this morning. Four Gadwalls and two juvenile Yellow-Crowned-Night Herons were among two Great Egrets, four Snowy Egrets, and several Green Herons. After they were satisfied with their fish breakfast, one juvenile Yellow-Crowned-Night Heron flew to the railing at the boardwalk entrance. The young bird found a Nutria grooming itself on the floating dead tree trunk, but otherwise the area was vacant. The young bird flew to the dead tree branch, which protruded from the bank toward the water at the left side of the boardwalk entrance. The other young bird joined them to take a rest.
A couple Summer Tanagers were enhancing the boardwalk area with their blight red/rose color. It was beautiful to watch one of them fly over the wetlands to the other side.
Mrs. Wassenich and several volunteers were busy clearing the part of wetlands located at the golf course, which was covered with Algae and Water Hyacinths. This job needs many more volunteers. I was hoping that more people would show up to participate in this much-needed project. It is a great contribution to help the river, aquatic creatures, birds, and to improve the environmental condition of San Marcos.
A couple Summer Tanagers were enhancing the boardwalk area with their blight red/rose color. It was beautiful to watch one of them fly over the wetlands to the other side.
Mrs. Wassenich and several volunteers were busy clearing the part of wetlands located at the golf course, which was covered with Algae and Water Hyacinths. This job needs many more volunteers. I was hoping that more people would show up to participate in this much-needed project. It is a great contribution to help the river, aquatic creatures, birds, and to improve the environmental condition of San Marcos.
July 23, 2010
It was drizzling off and on, but I was happy to see a juvenile Yellow-Crowned-Night Heron perched on the left side of railing very close to the entrance when I tried to enter the boardwalk. I could see the reflection of the bird on the glass exhibition case on the right side. I was excited to see its mother bird beside the young bird! I slowly backed up and went toward Dr. Rose’s storage shed for a full view of the two Yellow-Crowned-Night Herons on the railing. I was glad to see the chunky, juvenile Yellow-Crowned-Night Heron and its parent bird! I had trouble specifying whether it was a mother or a father. However, watching the way the two birds stood side by side this morning, I concluded that the bird was the mother of the chunky, juvenile Yellow-Crowned-Night Heron.
Though the mother was relaxed, the young bird became alert when it saw me. Since it had been drizzling, its feathers were wet. I thought that the young bird was a little darker than it was the last time I saw it, on July 18th. I wanted to get closer, but I did not want to disturb them. I thought that her young bird had come back to her temporarily, and it would leave her again soon.
I walked toward the Landing. At the barrier between the Landing and the diving facility, the Young Yellow-Crowned-Night Heron was busy hunting without her young. Her white head and forehead was a little darker than before, but it was still striking. I thought that her young bird had established its own territory at the river.
I saw the juveniles stay with their mothers for only a couple days before they disappeared. I remember the inexperienced hunting skills of the chunky, juvenile bird. I thought that it was the way for them to survive in this beautiful environment.
Though the mother was relaxed, the young bird became alert when it saw me. Since it had been drizzling, its feathers were wet. I thought that the young bird was a little darker than it was the last time I saw it, on July 18th. I wanted to get closer, but I did not want to disturb them. I thought that her young bird had come back to her temporarily, and it would leave her again soon.
I walked toward the Landing. At the barrier between the Landing and the diving facility, the Young Yellow-Crowned-Night Heron was busy hunting without her young. Her white head and forehead was a little darker than before, but it was still striking. I thought that her young bird had established its own territory at the river.
I saw the juveniles stay with their mothers for only a couple days before they disappeared. I remember the inexperienced hunting skills of the chunky, juvenile bird. I thought that it was the way for them to survive in this beautiful environment.
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