The Daily Bucket–Low Water Flushes Tall birds.

The skies have not yield a moment of rain for months.  But I knew how to make it rain. I hung clothes outdoors on our new fancy clothesline.  It’s passive solar at its best.  Except the Rain Gods, laughing, then made it rain twice.  But not much, just enough to make the clothes moldy if I left them out overnight.

Despite the sprinkles, Bethany Lake is beyond low. 

I went for a walk around Bethany Lake, in NW Oregon, just west of Portland, even though I knew my photo disc was almost full; I deleted 40 or so pictures of pear-stealing squirrels to make a little room.  I knew I’d have to be discreet or run out of pictures again.

Low water (click)  baby aquatic birds (lots of clicks) nutria (clicks).

OMG!!  An angler flushed a Great Blue Heron and and… it’s flying over to there and its TWO HERONS TOGETHER!!

(Click) BATTERY DEAD.

And on my way back over the dormant waterfall, out trotted a lifetime bucket list bird for me, a Green Heron.  I’d never seen one before. It’s crow-sized and almost peacock-resplendent. Knowing I was picture-less, the Green Heron carefully and slowly preened itself in full view, 20 feet away.

 I’m sure the herons had a good laugh after I left, saving their unique antics for 10 seconds after my battery died. I know, I know, get a spare battery.

I’m thinking with the Lake so low, the GB, the Green heron, and even the nutria are moving into deeper waters.  Their preferred wetlands are now mud flats. But there’s good fishing in the shallow lake.

Thanks for reading the Daily Bucket.

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Now it’s your turn!  What have you noted in your area or travels? Any pretty birds in your yard? Please post your observations and general location in your comments. I’ll check back later.

/s/ Redwoodman