Duck Duck

 Lately I have been drawn to the kayak in the morning to go see birds.  This means shorter runs, or no run at all.  Surprising I'm okay with this.   Today I cashed in the long run for a little 5.3 mile stroll and the 2.5 on the kayak. 

 The goal is to see 10 types of birds and in my mind they are captured by memory in groups of 5.  Today the goal was 15, but it was not achieved.

 The first group was a White Ibis flying overhead,  Limpkin, Blue Heron, Double Crested Cormorant, and the mighty Green Heron.  The Green Heron is a bird I have to get closer to for the solid read.

 The second group was the Common Gullinale (Moorehen), Sandhill Crane standing afar in someone's yard, Anhinga, Grackle, and a lone Whistling Duck.  The Whistling Duck is becoming a favorite.  Alone or in pairs they do not seem to call as much, but do in larger groups.  You cannot miss their sound.

 The final group was only two more common birds, but they were farther away so I had to paddle over a ways into the lilly pads to add the Great Egret and finally the Little Blue Heron.

 I'm going to have to up my knowledge of song and yard birds to increase the identifications per trip.  One can take some detours on the kayak into neighborhoods off the main water and see the smaller birds.  Plenty of areas with reeds, marsh, and scrub trees to search.  But they are fast and small so not a lot of time to just stare and figure it out.  Sure, Cardinals, Crows, Vultures, and even some Hawks stand out, but the little Warblers, Chickadees, Sparrows, and such are harder.

 This interests me.  It is another activity that draws and keeps me outside.  This and the fact one does not think about the time passing, but being a part of nothingness.