Great egret and great-tailed grackle - Adams County, west of 89th Ave Pond (eBirds hot spot)

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While biking on the Platte River trail at about 8:30 a.m. today, I spotted a great egret.  There is a relatively new section of path around what appears to be an unnamed lake, just west of the 89th Ave Pond (eBirds hot spot) and just south of Pelican Ponds open space.  It is on the west side of the Platte River where it makes a rather sharp juke east and then north.  When there is a lot of rain, a small section of wetland forms between the river and the lake.  It's been awesome this spring for American avocets (as many as 16 at one time).  I also often see teal (all three) when there is water.

Imagine my surprise, while I was trying to take a photo of the great egret, to hear a great-tailed grackle calling behind me!  Apologies for the poor quality photos - best I could do with my iPhone.

Bryan Arnold

Jefferson County