April 5, Easter Birding

My fabulous fellow and I went on a birdwalk this fine sunny Sunday morning.  No birds swam on the lake or waded in the shallows.  I thought at first it would be a walk with few to nil birds.  the understory branches were bare of leaf and bird alike.  No bird silohuette shadowed us as it flew above. Nary a chitter or call broke the quiet.
The sun glinted of the water, tiny leaves burgeoned on bushes, so beauty abounded nonetheless. After a few moments and when we had distanced ourselves from the parking lot, calls began.  First the bold bright red cardinals called and flitted across the trail, followed by his drab lady bird. Then robins ran ahead of us on the gravelly trail. The call of far off Canada geese grew as they neared. Upon slow step and careful look, we found the shy green-winged teal swimming along the far shore of the pond.  Further down the trail we veered off to the lake side and gazed across the water.  Perched in tree branches, sandbar, and swimming in the water were a host of cormorant. A silent great blue heron stood sentinel in the remnants of last years cattail reeds.
On the walk back to the car we heard the raucus call of red winged blackbird, the quiet ethereal call of the chickadee, and more bold cardinal song.
A glorious way to begin a spring day.  I was pleased to share the beauty, thrill and tranquility with the marvelous soul-mate partner of my heart.