Reifel Island photos:

The marsh at Reifel Island on a hot June day. Most of the ducks are hiding in the reeds, or waiting for us at the base of the tower.

A sandhill crane at the far end of Reifel Island. They breed there every year, but this year, none of the babies survived.

And a coot; the world's silliest-looking bird.

 This photo glamourizes it, hides the ragged legs that look like they belonged to some other, bigger bird, and de-emphasizes the flappy feet. It does show how the body seems to be cut off around the ribs, with the whole tail end missing.

They show up in Reifel in the spring, and mix in with the ducks at the entrance on Sunday afternoons, looking for handouts.

The photo is not ours; I seem to have lost a roll somewhere. When it shows up, I'll post it.