Welcome Summer!

Well, yesterday was the Summer Solstice; the longest day of the year - now the days begin to get shorter. :( With all of the way above average rainfall this year, and so many wet, overcast and generally blah days, it hardly seems like we've had spring, let alone summer. But the past two days have been clear and sunny with temps as high as 83 today, and aside from a few scattered thunderstorms in the evenings, the weather is supposed to be warm and sunny, at least through the weekend.

Dragged myself out of bed at the god-awful hour of 3:30 yesterday morning, to make another trek down to the refuge for some pre-sunrise photos. It wasn't as fruitful as the trip in May; the weather last month being much cooler and more humid, and made for some wonderful mist on the ponds. This time around the sunrise was much brighter with harsher light. But I did manage a few useful shots, so the day wasn't a total waste.

There were not as many birds this time around either. Most are nesting or raising broods and are remaining hidden. Even the ever-abundant Canada goose was absent from the scene. I did see a Pie-billed Grebe with two chicks, but they remained at the far side of the pond, out of reach for even my long telephoto lens. What I did manage to photograph, however, were a Marsh Wren and a Common Yellowthroat. Very tiny birds with incredibly loud voices - the opera singers of the avian world; they can belt out a song like nobody's business!

Only stayed at the refuge until 7:30 or so, then headed home. High temp today of 78 and a clear blue sky! I almost turned on the outside water, and I did finally shut off the furnace...