Happy 4th of July

Oh yeah! I do love the 4th of July! BBQ, ladder golf tournaments and fireworks! So what better way to start the holiday than with some wildlife photographing.

I headed down to my favorite spot to check on everyone. It was nice and quiet( people wise) as I hiked around the lake. It took me a minute to realize this was the avocet youngster! I could see a tiny bit of downy feathers around his butt. 

I continued on and saw the other avocet family. They finally left the island and were in an inlet that allowed for some good pics. Unfortunately it looks like only one chick survived out of the three. Mom and dad avocet were keeping close tabs on their chick......

So cute!

I continued on and noticed a fellow photographer pointing his camera at something. Sweet! It was a black crown night heron looking for breakfast! I have not seen these guys nearly as often as in the past. So it was a nice surprise!

I struck on on the wood ducks and the cedar wax wings, so I headed over to see the herons.
This is nest # 2. I could barely see 2 tiny chicks in the nest! Yeah! More GBH babies!

Here is nest #1. They are still in the nest......

I started on my second lap and found a king fisher. I think this is a youngster. I usually see these guys much more often. So hopefully I will see more of them this summer.

The light was getting harsh but I spotted a new family of mallards. So tiny! 

This is a western grebe. He/she has been hanging around the last few weeks but out of camera range. Today I spotted the grebe near the gazebo and got some nice pics! 

It was time to go and of course I had to stop at Prospect Park to see the mergansers. And there they were.....

I was a bit tired and it was getting hot but I did a small lap since I was here. The bees are still at it with these flowers....

It was a bit quiet, so I headed home. As I was driving out I spotted a snowy egret. So I pulled over and jumped out. He was near a walking path and some people were coming. So I was ready when he took flight.

Check out the wing touching the water.....

Oh yeah! A fun morning for sure! It was Hazel time, so I got home and got her out for some swimming and tennis ball chasing.
I have friends who throw a great 4th of July party/ ladder golf tournament. And they live close to a fireworks show. It is very fun but had to choose to stay home this year. I am not sure how Hazel will react to any fireworks in our neighborhood. So figured I better stay home. I got very lucky with Molly dog. She could care less about thunder and fireworks. Hazel is a bit nervous with loud thunder booms, so we are chilling with the kitties tonight.

Happy 4th!