Posted by Florian on August 13, 2002 at 16:26:45:
Jeff and I went to pick-up the fish and the plancton traps we set yesterday in the retention areas (Manfredi's marsh). An helicopter flying low made a flock of birds flying right in front of us and I noticed those two different birds in the middle of the paddle. I thought about Wilson's Phalarope as soon as I had my binoculars on them. I then pulled out my scope (never go in the field without it in the truck) and I confirmed the ID. They just started the most amazing dance I've ever seen a bird doing. They would just go in circles on place fast enough to make you sick by watching them. They had yellowish legs, a white rump and tail area, gray wings with no bar. One was close to the winter plumage and the other still had some breeding plumage color on its back and on top of its head.
They were in the exact same spot were the White-cheeked Pintail were yesterday (I didn't see them today, even thought it doesn't mean they were not there 'cause of the grass that blinds some of the view on the paddles). It is the far south-east corner of the new constructed area.
Did I hear somebody say "Life is good"?
For sure, work is fun sometimes (even wet).
Take care.
Florian