September 18 Life on the Refuge

The sky is different every night

as is the steady stream of avian denizens that roost along East Bayou every evening

Ibis, Egret, and Heron by the dozens provide entertainment before the hoards of mosquitoes drive us back inside. 

Meanwhile, back at Shoveler Pond...

these guys are almost as big as the parents, but they don't look much like them yet. 

Bills are still dark, not red-orange and the eye ring hasn't developed yet. 

Common Gallinule with almost grown chick...

who seems unhappy at having to feed himself. 

Turtle on the yellow line near the Willows parking area wasn't the least intimidated by me. 

The sky is different every night.