Linda's Magic Workshop - Linda Britt Design

It's September and I'm really not ready for the fall season!  I'm still wanting those warm days with the  hot sun, a good book on my ipad and the quiet afternoons on my deck with the birds and lizards.  I've started looking in my closet for summer things that I haven't worn! And I'm thinking of things that I want to do before the first snow in late October.  In the meantime there are beautiful places to visit and help ease the transition into fall. Visiting the lakes and taking a walk are things we love to do on a glorious day here in Prescott AZ. Wednesday's are 'free park' days and Peter and I will start making our weekly trips to all the lakes checking on the birds in the area.  We went to Watson Lake and found some Cormorants, Canadian Geese, and local Mallards.  It was too early for the ducks to return andI got excited about the lines of plants with a Cormorant tucked in the center. The sky was blue with lovely billowy white clouds an

 Getting ready to leave Yesterday was a red letter birding day!   Peter and I went to Willow Lake, Prescott AZ to see if indeed over 100 American White Pelicans were visiting.   We could see a large white mass at the edge of the lake as we parked, took out our cameras, tripods, binoculars and the scope!   We were armed and ready! It’s a short rocky walk to the water’s edge and we were not the only humans looking.   We walked as close as we dared without alarming them and set up the equipment.   As the sun warmed the pelicans, they started swimming toward the center of the lake and eventually took flight.   It was mesmerizing to see them ride the thermals as they flew to their next destination.   1st section of panarama 2nd section of panarama 3rd section of panarama Swimming to the center of the lake Riding the thermals

Isn’t it interesting how each of us looks at the world and sees different things?   On a recent trip to Willow Lake here in Prescott AZ, I walked to the water’s edge.   It was a lovely late morning and the water shimmered.   The rocks on the other side caught my eye.   Maybe it was the morning light and play of shadow that held my attention so that I could see the rocks and their reflections making new shapes and patterns.   I was so glad I carried my camera!

Male Gambel's Quail Prescott’s parks are open on Wednesdays with no fees.   Today we took advantage of this and went to Watson Lake and Willow Lake.   It has rained a lot here and we were expecting normal to high water in the lakes but we found low water levels.   The bird populations were reduced also.   Willow Lake - low water - great reflection! If we had not stopped and really looked we would have missed lots of action.   I found myself thinking, “here I have my camera but not much picture material”.   That’s when I remembered to stand still and really look.   All at once two groups of Canada Geese flew from Watson Lake into Willow Lake while I was standing still.    Canada Geese Flying In The Mallards and the Grebes were swimming with their babes.    The Cormorants were sunning and drying their feathers. Mom Grebe and Babe We had our scope and found lots of Red-winged Blackbirds mixed with Yellow-headed Blackbirds.   Those Yellow-heads would make anyon