Pelicans

The forecast was for the mid 80s and winds to 30 mph so we were at Estero Llano early. There were over a dozen people assembled on the deck for the morning guided bird walk. While it is fun to quietly visit with friends as we look for birds that is way too many people so Lorna and I broke away to hike up on the levee, the highest ground for miles, before the wind became unmanageable. The wind was probably only 20 mph so we scanned the Llano on the far side of the levee for waterfowl which were mostly Ruddy Ducks, Shovelers, a few scattered waders and shorebirds. I shot a few pelicans as they flew over. Only 20 mph? It continued to pick up so we moved off the levee.

Eventually we joined the birding group for a while by Alligator Lake, checked out the Black-crowned and Yellow-crowned Night-herons, Grebes and Anhingas, took the obligatory Pauraque photo and we broke away from the birder herd again which had grown even larger by then.

Didn't see much, the heat and wind were energy sapping, and eventually we rejoined the group which was being guided by our friends Steve and Sue, in the Tropical Zone. We talked with friends in the group as it was dispersing and went to lunch with Steve and Sue - second day in a row at the Blue Onion.  Could be worse.

(the last I saw the wind was reported gusting to 40mph+)
Stay warm, be well, - Gunnar