Dragonflies and Damselflies

I've been stuck inside a lot. Due to my health I haven't been able to do much birding. I did discover Dragonflies. They are really fascinating. I've been able to go to local parks and ponds for short walks. Some of my photos came out pretty good.

Amber Blue Dasher
   Aug. 9, 2017

Common Black Saddlebag
     July 24, 2017

Widow Skimmer
  Aug. 9, 2017

Amber Blue-eyed Darner ?

Eight Spotted Skimmer

Flame Skimmer

Whitetail Skimmer

Birds After Surgery

My time to go birding became very limited. My back kept getting worse. 
I jumped through all the hoops Medicare required of me. It included Physical Therapy, MRI, Steroid injections and pills. Finally decided to go with the surgery.  Recuperation was hard. It's been three weeks and the pain is still pretty bad. Evidently having diabetes can make recovery take longer.

Doctor told me to do short walks. Took one short walk half way around Commonwealth Lake. I knew there was a Say's Phoebe spotted there so I walked where I knew it had been spotted. And there it was.  Made my day. Just going outside was a blessing and the Say's was a bonus. After the day I was there it was gone.

Felt pretty good after the walk.  The pain down my leg was gone but I still had the pain in my back from the actual surgery.
I waited a few more days and Les took me for a short drive out to Fernhill Wetlands. A Clark's Grebe had been reported. I got about 1/4 of the way around (to the second bridge) From the bridge I could spot the Grebe. It was a long way off but we could both see it. Took some photos that were not the best but showed the grebe well enough. It was the first beautiful day we had in a long time. I wish I could have stayed out all day but I was hurting and had to go home and rest.

I'm sure it doesn't sound like much to most people but it was a big adventure for me.

Sora Finally

Last year I finally saw and heard a Sora. These guys are really fast going in and out of the reeds in the marshy areas. Didn't get a photo but put it on my life list.

 This last week I decided to see if I could do a little walk out at Fernhill. I only went part of the way. Not even half way around. Had to stop and rest my leg and back. I hit the new marsh area and saw him moving around and heard it. Stopped to talk to another birder (Steve Nord) While we were talking the little guy/gal came out. It was long enough for me to get a quick picture. I always feel better once I have a decent photo of my life birds.