I awoke to the promised rain this morning, and glumly faced the chores that I’ve been avoiding. After a few cups of coffee, and a bout of online pool, however, the Sun popped out. I quickly gathered my gear and headed for Quiet Waters Park, which is quite close to home.
I was really looking for early ducks when I noticed a lot of small birds near one of the pavilions, and settled in to watch. There was more variety than I expected, including the above warbler and the year’s first Dark Eyed Junco.
I stopped at a promising patch of weeds on the way out and found a few bugs, also.

This pair of Eastern Towhees will be heading South soon.

This Eastern Phoebe will also be leaving soon.

This pair of Cardinals will be with us all year.

I don’t often get such good looks at a Blue Jay.

The Black Throated Blue Warbler is one of my favorites, and I was afraid I’d go all Fall without seeing one.

In the Spring, the Yellow Rumped Warbler is much more colorful.

These White Throated Sparrows will probably be with us ’til Spring.

The Red Bellied Woodpecker is easier to spot when the leaves fall.

Dark Eyed Juncos are just arriving from Canada and points West.

Today’s Bugs.