Hey tweets, it was really hard to get out of my nice, warm car this
frosty morning. I had to sit there working on my attitude for a while.
Not a thing was stirring at first, especially me, but eventually I
motivated myself enough to get going. I'm glad I did, for I found
three (3!!) TRUMPETER SWANS on the lake. I have been getting my
little hopes up all year that the three juvenile swans who grew up
here last winter would return, and now I think they have. They were in
their accustomed spot, foraging near the row of boathouses that line
the eastern edge of the Cove. Gorgeous creatures.

Also on view today: the Western Meadowlark was foraging in East Hunn's
Meadow in the short grass. It isn't very often that you get to see a
meadowlark at work. Usually their grassy habitat hides them from view.
But at the Fill, the grass all burned in the meadow, and the new grass
isn't very tall yet. It turns out that meadowlarks waddle as they move
along, like plump matrons in too-tight shoes. I was freezing cold
until I came upon this little guy; after laughing at the waddle and
glorying in the sun-bright colors of this bird, who could feel the
cold anymore? - Connie, Seattle

constancesidles at gmail.com