Sheila Albert was so kind to invite me on her birthday walk around Spring Lake. Her partner, Bob Brannigan, arranged the special birding walk with their dear friends Bill, Judy, Steve and photographer-naturalist Tom Reynolds. With binoculars and bird books (and an iPhone app) we looked at twitters, flutters, swimmers, nests and habitats for beaver (pictured) muskrat, otters and mink.

A spectacular green heron (immature) posed for us in perfect light. Too far for me to photograph but I’m sure Bill got something great.

I especially enjoyed learning how to recognize a squirrel nest. Tom is an amazing source of knowledge. Judy was delighted to learn that racoons could be encouraged to depart their encampment under a deck with the scattering of mountain lion scat acquired from the Sonoma County wildlife shelter near the landfill on Reibli Rd.

And frozen paths are not muddy. Yea!