A Birthday without Dining Out...

I returned to walk Packery Channel Park Friday morning. I choose to make several treks here in the future since it's a 'trail less traveled' by many. At least until the pandemic is over [which now 'they' say may not be until the year 2021!!]. So, since not many birds were seen, I concentrated my lens to other things. Birds being first choice, wildflowers would be second on the string of favorite subjects. As I stepped down off the Audubon's 2nd gazebo to take the trailhead off into the wooded area, I noticed a new sign since the last time I was there. Watch Out For Snakes. Y'think?!!! Heck, I knew that long before the trail was open to birders/hikers. Guess the issue of a warning as such is for Hikers for Dummies.  T'weren't many birds out in the open fields.  I did see thru my binoculars several indigo buntings, both the blue male and brown female.  Many Red-winged blackbirds, Grackles [goes without saying...they're everywhere], doves, warblers, mottled duck on the pond and a lone blue and white dappled immature Little Blue Heron.  And a squirrel.  With flora seen, there are still remnants of winter-kill in places, a nice contrast to the bright,  happy, Spring growth.  Shows me, the world keeps on turning!!!  Our change of seasons [without snowfall]....

The Grackles were kind enough to share with this little guy!!

After the Channel Park, and then Audubon Sanctuary, I walked Sand Dollar Road where I know of a lady that has a yard filled with feeders, fresh cut fruits, hummingbird nectar, seeds, and suet cakes. Her yard is a bird sanctuary all on its own. There, I saw quite a few warblers, yellow headed blackbirds, orioles, doves and two species of hummingbirds. One summer tanager. And...guess? Those pesky grackles!!

I walked back to the car and stopped at the grocery store on the way home. Since today is Bud's birthday, and we can't go out to our traditional restaurant for our jumbo Gulf, butterflied, shrimp [Erik suggested carry out and then eat on the beach...nope, not our cup of tea. We don't like sand in the shrimp batter]. I bought some frozen butterfly shrimp and will fix it up for him. He's gonna have to be content with that this year.