The Warm Before the Storm

All week the weather forecasters have been talking about a very big weather change! Today it was about 70'. By Wednesday the high will be about 20'.....Brrrrrrrrr !!!!

So I was very happy to get out for some photographing in nice warm weather.

I headed down to my favorite place to see what was going on and it did not disappoint!

I quickly noticed the ring billed gulls were quite animated. They would gather in groups and then dive into the water. At first I thought they were enjoying a delicous breakfast of crayfish but soon realized there was no food in the mouths. So I realized this must be courtship display. It was very fun to watch as I walked around the main lake.......

The joint was jumping with hooded mergansers. I probably took over 100 pics just of them. Here are the best ones......

I was part way around the lake and heard a sound that seemed familiar. Oh! The green winged teals were here.......

This female mallard was enjoying a nice warm bath.....

More and more shovelers are showing up......many times they swim in a circle while eating!

He looks very sleepy!

I glanced up at the old great blue heron nests and a GBH was sitting there.....

Later I spotted one fishing. Not sure but I think it's the same one.....

I was very happy to see the buffleheads were returning to winter here......so damn cute!

I see mallards all the time but this guy got my attention...very handsome!

I spent over 2 hours wandering around enjoying the beautiful morning. As I headed back to the car, this cute squirrel posed so nicely for me!

I think that was my last day of photographing glove and hat free for a bit. Luckily here in Colorado the weather will bounce back to more seasonal temps soon. But in the meantime it's gonna be COLD! 
When I got home, I took Hazel swimming. There will be no swimming for the next week or two until it warms up. Hazel is gonna be bummed for sure!

Thanks for reading!