When I was in the Army, I was accused of liking “the rain in the mashed
potatoes” because I signed up for some extreme training programs. Well,
today was a rain in the mashed potatoes kind of day. I started out slow (but
wet) around noon, but the first flock of Cedar Waxwings told me I was on the
right track. I had 10 species by the time I got to Esther Simplot, and all
the ducks and some Pied-billed Grebes lined up for me, especially both kinds
of Merganser. Strangely enough, I didn’t get a Canada Goose until Lander
St., and it was bird 28. A Downy called out to me, and then a Red-tail
watched me with interest. That made the single Common Goldeneye at Silver
Lake number 31. It looked like the end of the line, but then a regal Bald
Eagle flew right over me and made my day.

I biked down to the closed bridge at the upper end of Plantation Island (no,
the other bridge has not been put back in place, but the money is raised and
it will happen). This is the area where a Northern Pintail has wintered for
a number of years, but the gentleman that used to provide loads of food for
him and his Mallard friends has moved. But lo and behold, 5 ducks landed in
the river and the middle one was a male Northern Pintail. Still raining, but
the day just improved a lot, since this is a first of year bird for me.
Then, on the way back to Silver lake, I found a mixed flock of YR Warblers,
RC Kinglets, Downy Woodpecker-and another first of year bird, a
Golden-crowned Kinglet. He faced off with a RCKI and they both had their
true colors showing. Way to go guys.

At that point, Susan called to say there was a Wild Turkey in our front yard
on 19th St., but I knew I couldn’t possibly make it back before he wandered
on. I was right, but I still managed 35 birds on a wet ride. (Susan has more
sense than me and stayed dry at the “Y.”)

Tom McCabe, Boise