After 4 days of rain and fog, I was eager to get out. There was another report of as Snowy Owl at Hooper’s Island, so I went back to take a look. My bad luck continued. I did find a nice Merganser to make the trip worthwhile.
Wildlife
Drive was a little barren with many fewer Snow Geese, but an increase in Tundra Swans. There were very few ducks, no terns and no sandpipers.
The eagles weren’t terribly active either.
![](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Dark-Eyed-Junco-2018-2.jpg?resize=584%2C459&ssl=1)
This Dark Eyed Junco was part of a flock at Quiet Waters.
![](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Eastern-Bluebird-2018-1.jpg?resize=584%2C448&ssl=1)
An Eastern Bluebird.
![](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Mourning-Dove-2018-1.jpg?resize=584%2C485&ssl=1)
I usually pass up Mourning Doves.
![](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Northern-Shoveler-2018-9.jpg?resize=584%2C529&ssl=1)
Only a few Northern Shovelers were present.
![](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Great-Blue-Heron-2018-11.jpg?resize=584%2C476&ssl=1)
A lone Great Blue Heron was passing by.
![](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Ruddy-Duck-2018-8.jpg?resize=584%2C434&ssl=1)
Many Ruddy Ducks were resting at Quiet Waters.
![](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Horned-Grebe-2018-7.jpg?resize=584%2C506&ssl=1)
I found this Horned Grebe at Quiet Waters.
![](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Black-Backed-Seagull-2018-2.jpg?resize=584%2C499&ssl=1)
I don’t see sitting Black Backed Gulls often.
![](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Turkey-Vulture-2018-1.jpg?resize=584%2C539&ssl=1)
Turkey Vultures often dry their wings like this.
![](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Tundra-Swan-2018-21.jpg?resize=584%2C460&ssl=1)
Many Tundra Swans were resting in the marsh.
![](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Snow-Goose-2018-21.jpg?resize=584%2C631&ssl=1)
This Snow Goose stayed in one spot all the while I was there. It may be injured.
![](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Red-Winged-Blackbird-2018-3.jpg?resize=584%2C537&ssl=1)
Red Winged Blackbirds were very numerous.
![](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/American-Wigeon-2018-9.jpg?resize=584%2C477&ssl=1)
This American Wigeon was at Oakley Street.
![](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Lesser-Scaup-2018-22.jpg?resize=584%2C561&ssl=1)
A Lesser Scaup at Oakley Street.
![](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Mallard-2018-11.jpg?resize=584%2C429&ssl=1)
This Mallard was stretching his wings.
![](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Red-Breasted-Merganser-2018-23.jpg?resize=584%2C469&ssl=1)
This Red Breasted Merganser was fishing at the Hooper’s Island Bridge.