Today was the first session of fall migration banding at Ritter Farm Park in Lakeville, MN but we really didn't have the conditions for a good day. Sure enough, we only caught one bird - a Northern Waterthrush. Most likely a migrant. Except for a big flock of Cedar Waxwings and some hummingbirds hanging around the big plot of Jewelweed there wasn't much around. Temperature is supposed to hit mid- 90s and the winds are blowing quite strongly. We spent most of our morning chatting and checking empty nets.

    On the other hand, having some time to just look around led me to the thing that made the day - a nice haul of Hen-of-the-Woods mushrooms. I found these two clusters at the base of an oak tree that is pretty dependable for these mushrooms. It was right at the end of one of our net sets.

    I'll spend the afternoon inside in the air conditioning getting these ready for freezing for later. Of course I won't resist sauteing a few fronds for tonight. Today was a good day...