Hot and Dry in Summer 2011 But Birding is Awesome!

Holy drought. The lake is down at least nine feet. I have been down here for a week but the temperatures have been over 102 the whole time. Needless to say, not many pictures have been taken. Amy, James, Katie, Mia, and Granny Nick came down for a long weekend. We all enjoyed nightly shows at 7:30PM when the sprinkler kicked on and birds showed up for a bath. We have two male cardinals that put on quite an act every night. Their mottled neon orange chests catch the flashes of the late afternoon sun. Red headed woodpeckers are breeding next door and B&H have a brood in the same spot. Wednesday we were visited by a painted bunting--first ever I've spotted here- and, later in the day, an indigo bunting. Makes me wonder if they are moving east looking for food. what a dreadful hot summer. Bring on the rain!