Sandhill Cranes

Extra:  First thing this morning after feeding Chester, I literally staked out where we will sit tomorrow for the parade.  For my pre-breakfast walk, I wandered over to the Blossom Time carnival area along the river, where the main drag was inches of very wet mud from the heavy overnight storm.  Parents were out early with the youngin's.  I didn't see the lady in the walker by the big top tent until the photo was on my computer screen.  I talked with the professional clown who clowns around for a living and has for 15 years!  He looks too young!

Our friend SR came over and we walked around the yard.  SR is a retired grower and gardener.  He has missed having his own garden to play in for the past few years.  SR agreed to help us redo some of our beds and add his awesome artistic touch to our gardens this year and maybe next before he and BR buy a new home.  We are all very excited! 

Main Photo:  We took SR to the Lucia S. Nash Preserve, which we knew he'd love, and he did.  He gave it a 9 and was impressed with the diversity of wildflowers, plants, shrubs, trees, and then Lake Snow.  The cranes silently glided out of a part of the lake that can't be seen from the platform.  They ate their way around the lake in front of us for quite a while. Sandhill cranes are very rare around here, so it was very exciting for all of us.  We also saw several heron, bald eagles, a kingbird, and a yellow warbler. 

A wonderful day from start to finish.  Now we're going to settle down for a movie with Chester.