Friday, January 20, 2006, 8:47 pm
The different one
ARLINGTON, TEXAS — I returned to the pond by the Ballpark this evening, this time with binoculars. Several nutrias joined Gadwall, Lesser Scaup, Pied-billed Grebes and Mallards all across the pond, and the park ducks kept to themselves beside a tiny island. I kept scanning, despite failing light and a cold wind, telling myself that there might very well be a scoter among all those scaup.
Then I found the odd bird out: a smart male pintail, who lifted his pointy retrices high when he tipped forward to dabble.
It must have been in the 50s, but the wind was too cold for my thin, short-sleeved shirt. I hurried back to the car for a good shiver.
David J. Ringer
