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Environment:
Start Time: 7:55 AM Temperature: 59 degrees Sky: Sunshine few clouds.
The local weather forecasters had me convinced that I’d be getting the day off because of extremely windy conditions. When I didn’t “see” any such wind in my yard at home I headed out anyway. Things were clear and calm at Lake Pueblo State Park and remained so for the duration of my walk. The biggest change in the weather that I noticed was that when I started out the temperature was 59 degrees and as I was driving home (hour and a half later) I noticed that the temp had jumped to 79! Today’s featured image (above) is an adult European Starling kind of lounging at the entrance to its nest. Not sure if the heat was bothering it or what – very lethargic. Even the Osprey remained mostly perched. I did hit the Teal Trifecta today spotting Cinnamon, Blue-winged and Green Winged varieties on the Arkansas River. I tried for a while to get one shot with all three flavors included but that just didn’t happen. The Barn Swallow couple was back at work at their Kiosk nest – I have named them Barney and Betty. At the bottom of the post is another Spring tribute photo – what Google and I have decided is Western Redbud now in bloom. Remember – I’m no expert so don’t be betting the house on anything you see here.
Male Red-winged Blackbird sampling Cottonwood seed at Lake Pueblo State Park, Colorado 
Barn Swallow checking on nesting conditions at Lake Pueblo State Park, Colorado April 22, 2022
Sightings:
Birds: Mallards, Wood Ducks, Blue-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Green-winged Teal, Canada Geese, Osprey, American Robin, European Starlings, Double-crested Cormorants, White-crowned Sparrows, Mourning Doves, Turkey Vultures, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Kestrel
Critters: Mule Deer, Cabbage White Butterflies
Gear: Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix 100-300mm
Western Redbud blooming at Lake Pueblo State Park, Colorado April 22, 2022