Saturday my friend Mae and I decided to have lunch at River's Edge Resort. This restaurant is open daily only through the summer, and offers excellent meals with the opportunity to dine on the deck next to the Chena River. My halibut lunch was very good.
As we pulled up, we looked at the sunflowers planted outside. I loved the brown highlights on them.
After lunch we drove past Creamer's Field, a waterfowl refuge for spring and fall migrating birds. Local businesses and organizations donate seed for the birds, partly in an attempt to keep them away from the airports in the area. There was a large gathering of birds - some ducks but mostly Canada geese and sandhill cranes - so we pulled in to take a photos and watch them.
They were all very busy feeding, preparing for the long flight ahead of them. Of them all, I like the cranes the best. They are raucous, calling to each other constantly. Listen to their calls here: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/sandhill_crane/sounds.
They ruffle their tail feathers; they flap their wings and run at each other; they strut as they move around a small area; and when they decide to move to the other side of the field, they stride across in no time at all, appearing to have a singular purpose in mind (which they probably do - looking for the best spot to feed).
They will be flying out soon and we won't see them again until breakup next year. I hate to see them go. But I will enjoy watching them as long as I can.
Autumn is coming. . .
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