As lightning flashed to our south, a friend and I entered Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area early this morning. The cloudy, mild conditions were welcome after another period of intense heat.
Across the floodplain refuge, little had changed since last week. Ample water remained in the central channel and several pools still broke the verdant landscape. Nevertheless, waders, limited to great egrets and great blue herons had decreased in number. A lone bald eagle surveyed the watery terrain from a dead snag but there were no waterfowl and perhaps not enough fish to keep him around. Once again, indigo buntings and dickcissels dominated the songbird population though a large flock of mourning doves had gathered on power lines along the entry road. In all, 23 avian species were encountered during our 90 minute visit.
It appears, for now, that the Conservation Area has reached a steady state for the summer, relying on intermittent thunderstorms to replenish its water supply. Flow from the city sewage lines has not yet resumed and our patience may be tested for some time. But we'll keep stopping by.
