Hazy, hot and humid described this morning as I went out in my kayak to Montour Preserve, but the heat was quickly forgotten as I floated along the shore and started seeing busy families of birds everywhere.   In three hours I covered about a quarter of a mile, and was thoroughly enjoying the solitude and time to take everything in.

The Northern Rough-wingeds were a real treat since I’ve never taken the time to get a good look at them and they are rarely still.  From the vantage point of the kayak, I could see them clearly while on display in the trees along the bank.  The immatures had a beautiful rusty brown shade on their wings, and some were still sporting downy feathers.

The tree swallows appeared next, begging for food.  They are quite dramatic with their clean lines of charcoal gray and white, unlike their smudgy brownish neighbors.    They lack the irridescent blue of the adult, but are still very striking.

The Immature Phoebes, only a mother could love, with their dark streaky chest.  Not too pretty!

Plenty of other families were out and about in the neighborhood including Orioles, Cedar Waxwings, and several warblers, but that will be saved for the next post!