2nd storm

Well, the first thunderstorm by-passed us. Now we are getting the 2nd (in less than an hour) with hail, rain, wind, and general wildness, though no thunder or lightning. All I can hear is the engine of a jet overhead. But it's pretty dark out. Took a 20 minute nature walk between jobs, down in the fill. It was almost bright out (12:30 pm-ish.) Walked behind the playfields. The crew docks were swamped with water. The nearest "island" was full of Canadian geese (Branta canadensis) and great blue herons, only about 7 today, yesterday I counted 17 herons, resting along the shore, the usual duck couples swimming in the water, mallards, gadwalls (Anas strepera), teals, wigeons, and a wood duck couple up on a snag. No wood ducks (Aix sponsa) today, rather a ring-necked duck couple (Aythya collaris), closest I've been able to see them, usually they are further out on the lake. There has been a deceased beaver, looks like it crawled out of the canal by the way it's feet are on the ground, though no drag marks in the mud, between the parking lot and the canal for at least the past 5 days. I don't know if you are supposed to report that, and if so, to whom? I was wondering if it was poisoned somehow? It didn't appear to have been attacked by anything, and even the birds were staying away from it. Sad. I often see their chew marks on trees, as well as downed trees, but haven't seen an actual beaver in years, would have preferred a live one.