We are close to the Autumnal equinox, which is Saturday, September 23 at 2:50 AM Eastern Time.  I hope you have enjoyed the recent cooler temperatures; I have for sure!! Also, Saturday is the Friends’ Native Plant Festival and Sale at the Visitors’ Center.  I will attach the speaker agenda for the day.

 To debunk the theory that you only see really cool birds early or later in the day, around 2PM yesterday I saw a brood of REALLY young, still downy, fluffy looking blue-winged teal ducklings. HOLY COW, they were sooo cute!! Unfortunately, by the time I figured out what they were, they were out of sight, sorry no pics. RATS!!

 The other day, I received a fantastic article from Ducks Unlimited about ticks.  It was written for waterfowl hunters and even though I am not a hunter, I found it interesting and informative.   I have permission from the organization to share it:

 https://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowl-hunting-tips/what-waterfowl-hunters-need-to-know-about-ticks

 The Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex Annual Meeting is Saturday, October 21, from 2-4PM at the Montezuma Audubon Center. I am attaching the invitation with the pictures.

Pic#1: adult bald eagle May’s Point, #2: immature bald eagle Tschache Pool, #3: Canada geese tails up Main Pool, #4: great blue herons and great egrets Tschache Pool, #5: great egret Tschache Pool, #6: sandhill crane Eaton Marsh, #7: adult sandhill crane and colt Eaton Marsh, #8: sandhill crane family Eaton Marsh, #9: trumpeter swans Benning Marsh, #10: maximilian sunflowers Wildlife Drive.

 Hopefully, you can get out soon to explore and experience all the amazing things at the Montezuma Wetlands Complex trails, towers and the Refuge Wildlife Drive. 

ENJOY, be respectful and safe.