On golden pond

Three days ago, on 1 May 2015, I left home to drive SE of the city, with Frank Lake as my main destination. I was there on 26 April with quite a large group of birding friends and the lake was so beautifully calm - made for some nice reflections. Three days ago, it was the opposite, with very strong winds, making it really difficult to stand and especially hold a camera. The wind started a short while after I left home and I did wonder what it was going to be like at Frank Lake. The highway south is through pretty flat prairie land and so there is little to break the force of the wind. As a result, I had to grip the steering wheel the whole drive, trying to keep my car within the lines of my lane. A few hours of gripping my camera and bracing myself against a wooden corner at the bird blind (hide) left my shoulders and arms so painful, having triggered the inflammation in both shoulder rotator cuffs again. I must remember to check the forecast for wind strength when I want to go there again. I always check for everything else, but wind force is so important, too.

I didn't see many bird species that afternoon, as my main focus was on the Eared Grebes, that I love seeing and photographing. In a few places, the reflection of the Cattails turned the water colour to gold. There were far more of them than a few days earlier, probably because they were trying to find a slightly more sheltered bit of water instead of the huge expanse of open lake. In addition to the challenge with the wind, these birds move quite fast and change direction constantly. Sometimes, you catch the whole bird, other times you catch part of it : ) Saw a Coot or two, a few Canada Geese, maybe 15 or so White-faced Ibis in flight. Also saw a couple of Yellow-headed Blackbirds, one Red-winged Blackbird, a Ruddy Duck, and endless noisy Gulls. Drove past the Great Horned Owl family and all looked well. I went all the way round the lake, but didn't see any birds at all along these gravel roads. I love driving the backroads through the prairie landscape.