Since getting back from Texas, I've been bogged down by various responsibilities and haven't gotten out much.  Back in March of 2000, I began doing the monthly survey of the Lost Slough wetlands at Cosumnes River Preserve (www.cosumnes.org) that had previously been run by Jeri Langham.  This month marked the sixth year I've been running this survey--hard to believe the years are going by so fast.  As I told Kimya, at this rate, we'll be dead soon.

The survey on March 4th was fairly uneventful, with the exception of a male Redhead--a species that seems to be getting increasingly difficult to find in the area.  In summer they are regular at the Davis Wetlands, but otherwise always a highlight.

I took my Coolpix with me, and was able to get this digiscope of a Belted Kingfisher.

The excellent local photographer, Ed Harper, has mentioned having difficulty photographing this species.  It's hard to believe, since they are common and conspicuous, but my lack of decent photos of this species seems to bear that out.  It was early and the fastest shutter speed I could manage was 1/60 of a second, but a few of the ten or so shots turned out clear enough to save.