Family Birding Night

So it was a magical night for me. For months I have been hoping to get out with the kids and the binoculars and spotting scope and enjoy some bird-watching. There is a little pond down the road called Allred's Pond. We didn't know what to expect, I had just read about it somewhere. So we followed the Highway 73 out just past the Jordan River and took a right. Well, there it was. I think it's private property... but the gate was open and no one was around. There was a large abandoned tire we could all plant ourselves on. So we gave it a go. The kids were surprisingly interested and could see the birds through the scope and binoculars. All but Sam, of course. But we counted 15 species all-in-all. Granted 2 were on the way home. But it was a joy to be there in the evening with the whole family. It was indeed one for the memory book.
On the way back, Spence saw a bunch of black birds in a tree. I just assumed it was a big flock of starlings. But we stopped anyway, and come to find out, it was a tree full of yellow-headed blackbirds in full color. Nice find, Spence! I recommend a little drive over the river to anyone looking for a nice respite from the "city". Beware though, Camille will tell you multiple times that it smells like cows. They share the pond with you, it is true.

List of Species:
yellow-headed blackbird
american pelican
swainsons hawk
red-winged blackbird
western grebe
rock dove (pigeon)
night heron
american robin
glossy-faced ibis
california gull
mallard duck
northern pintail
american crow
magpie
one more-can't remember