Chirps and Cheeps

Last weekend, my family and I vacationed at the shallowest lake in the Finger Lakes, Honeoye Lake.  We had a marvelous time during our 3+ days there - AND - I got in a little birding!  I wasn't "allowed" to take my tripod, so most photos were only mediocre, but I saw much more than I shot and I even got to add a couple of life listers: a Mute Swan (I've SEEN them before, but am officially adding it to my list now), and a Marsh Wren.

A few places we hiked: DEC area down at the southern end of the lake along the inlets (thanks to Pat Martin for that suggestion!), Harriet Hollister Spencer Park and Sandy Bottom Park (thanks to Robert Spahn for those 2 suggestions), and another DEC area we found along the south west side of the lake.

In addition to several warblers, we had magnificent views of a Cooper's Hawk!  We saw that guy 3 times and I never once got a photo of him!  I was sooooo close once but he flew off JUST before I had him in my camera's view...  so close...

Besides having several opportunities to hike with my son, one daughter, and then the whole gang on another occasion, I think the most enjoyable birding experience for me was, perhaps, watching 2 bird families in one of the DEC areas. A family of Eastern Bluebirds and another family of Northern Flickers were both happily enjoying the day, frolicking, foraging, and just being together on that beautiful Monday morning.  Sheer joy.