[mou] Great Egret Wood Lake, Hennepin Co.

[Conny Brunell]

This morning at Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield, Hennepin County there were at least 40 Ring-billed Gulls out on the transparent thin shelf of ice amidst lots of fish parts scattered all around.  Their vocalizations are enjoyable espically the laughlike quality when they get cranked up.  While scanning the cattail edges of the marsh I came across the mannequin like posture of a Great Egret, the only thing moving were the beautiful long plumes in the rustle of the breeze.  I watched awhile before that long neck darted out to spear breakfast, then remained motionless again.

In addition to the 40+ Fox Sparrows I saw, I enjoyed the flutey whistle of a Hermit Thrush flicking it's tail from a branch, as well as several quiet ones working the leafy woods floor.  Overhead the gurgling twittering of about 40 Tree Swallows went over the marsh, as well as a flock of Sandhill Cranes.  

Conny Brunell
Richfield, Hennepin Cty
connyb@mycidco.com