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| Partridges, a parenting couple, bathing in the dry dust. I challenge everybody to find about a dozen chicks snuggled into the dust, blending perfectly into earthy shades of brown. Hint: they wear little black Mohawk stripes on their heads...search right hand half of photo... and: Happy Eye Strain! |
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| Anchored in Tod Inlet and watching a small runabout (better known as 'Humpty Dumpty', the mobile pump out station) ties up to the remnants of an old barge dock, now real estate for a few dozen Purple Martin houses. Chicks are definitely living inside them, parents chirp and flutter excitedly at this intrusion. |
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| Volunteers open each one of the small condos, replete with house numbers, take out the chicks and band them, update detailed 'tenant record' then return them to their cozy nests. |
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| It appears that the rude interruption of daily bird life is quickly forgotten, peace and quiet returns to the colony of Purple Martins. Well, peace maybe, but quiet? Chirping and chattering continues until sunset. |
