[EBB Sightings] this morning at Jewel lake

Dear Birders:


This morning I walked the path to Jewel Lake.  Wildcat Creek had done its job of filling the lake with brown water which fell in a noisy cascade over the dam.  Pacific chorus frogs celebrated the newly-filled ponds in the meadow with a continuous refrain.  From the still-bare willow, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet had exchanged its winter scolds for its musical spring performance, a loud spirited song in inverse proportion to the diminitive size of the performer.  But then everything about a kinglet is infused with energy.

Mallards on the lake appeared to be courting and chickadees were flying about in amorous pursuit.  Only the pond turtles eschewed all this hormonal activity, preferring to doze away the morning on a sunny log.

On Monday, during a break between the heavy rains I briefly visited our two local streams -- Wildcat Creek at the Tilden Park Botanical Garden and Strawberry Creek at the UC Botanical Garden.  It was a joyous occasion to see what had been languid streams come to life -- tumbling, frothing, rushing waters that could be heard before being seen.  The local birds caught the mood.  A Hermit Thrush, emerged from a thicket to stand in the open considering the lawn jeweled with raindrops.  In Strawberry Canyon, a Spotted Towhee stood on an entrance step for the few visitors to admire.

With another rain forecast for this weekend, maybe we'll salvage this winter after all.

Phila Rogers