When they originally tore out the dike at Theler Wetlands I was worried how it would affect birding there. And there’s no doubts that birding has changed considerably because of the changes in habitat. I miss some of the birds I used to see there regularly, but one of the changes I’ve really appreciated is the large number of Green-Winged Teal that show up regularly. The tide flats are regularly covered with them, and it’s easy to get some great poses.
This little female was strutting her stuff
with a male not far behind her.
It seems strangely incongruent, though, that such beautiful birds should spend most of their time wading through the mud filtering out plant materials and small aquatic organisms,
further proof, I guess, that beauty is where you find it.