Hey tweets, Today at the Fill was a little quiet, but in the end, the Fill
delivered, as always. This morning felt like fall, with banks of clouds
rolling in and the air chilly. The leaves have turned gold on the trees in
Shoveler Pond, and you can feel that clammy cold air in occasional
depressions on the path. I love that feeling.

Highlights today include: a semipalmated sandpiper in with a flock of 5
leasts on the main pond and then later on Cinnamon Teal Pond (the pond
closest to the dead beaver trees). Also on the main pond were three
green-winged teals, a welcome sight.

On Union Bay, three wood ducks foraged among the lily pads. They seem
accustomed to people, more or less, and don't mind being looked at. I've
seen them nearly every day lately, and sometimes they come quite close to
shore.

Also notable: only one starling. Gasp.

Other sights of interest: rufous hummingbird, at least three spotted
towhees, a fox sparrow, and a willow flycatcher (I think - it didn't call
but it did let me get very close and then obligingly lifted its chin so I
could see the orange lower mandible; the mandible did shade to black at the
tip, moreso than I would have expected - oh well). - Connie, Seattle

csidles at isomedia.com