Quiet afternoon, with background quacking

Before I go on to something else, let me show you the last of the Reifel Island photos:

I love the light in this one. An almost-deserted waterway. The ducks are behind us.


Coot, collecting leftovers after the kids went by. Those feet are far too big; they get in each other's way.


"Nobody's using this nest box; I may as well perch on it."


Unidentified hawk on another nest box. Good thing it's not breeding season yet.


Mallard hybrid. I don't think I've seen this particular mix before.


Great blue heron, fishing.


Scaup females. Greater, I think. Or Lesser. One or the other.


Redwing blackbird. The males arrive here first, then the females about a month later. We'll look for them at the end of February.


Bird feeder. With resident squirrel.


Looking out the window of the warming room. A welcome haven in cold weather, heated by a fragrant wood stove.


On the way home, we stopped to see this eagle guarding his nest.

Next: Stone soup.
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