March 12 2011 - back at the 'bend

An unexpectedly busy day at Riverbend this afternoon with people at least. Plenty of people but the strong current has moved many if the ducks away. The major event on the river was a large flock of ring-billed gull feeding on the river. Many birds were standing on the flotsam maybe feeding on it. Some tried to land on small debris and struggled, 'cycling' it's feet to keep from slipping off and flapping to retain balance.

Counting the gulls (651 btw) there were several ducks but also a horned grebe - as is often at this time of year, the head pattern was somewhat atypical - as shown in my sketch