Gale

In the morning, the National Weather Service measured "Wind Speed S 36 G 46mph" with light rain.  The creek was empty of birds but a few made it to the feeders.  I saw a chickadee, two white throats, a pine and a myrtle warbler, a wren, two bluebirds, a downy, a blue jay, a mockingbird, two orioles, and a cardinal.  A squirrel seemed to wonder why I wasn't counting it. 

Before noon the rain strengthened, but then slacked off as we ate lunch.  The thermometer read 67° and the wind was, if anything, stronger.  But the birds were hungry.  I counted two bluebirds, two house finches, a junco, a blue jay, a white throat, a downy, a mockingbird, a red belly, two cardinals, a chickadee, an oriole, a wren, a starling, and the pileated pair.  

Around 4pm the wind started tearing up the clouds.  The shreds blew East as did the water in the creek.  No waterfowl appeared interested in the low water level.  Some bluebirds, a warbler, and a chipping sparrow were visible in the trees.  Lured out by the warm air, an ant and a midge walked on the window.  The setting sun lit up the fleeing clouds.  A pelican began passes over the creek but the light was failing.  Cormorants commuted home despite the wind.