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Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Grackle bath time

I recently came upon a Great-tailed Grackle taking a bath in the lagoon formed at the San Luis Rey River mouth.

He had waded belly-deep into the shallows and spread his tail widely...

Great-tailed Grackle bath
Great-tailed Grackle. Oceanside, California. November 6, 2016. Greg Gillson.
He made an amazing splashing...

Great-tailed Grackle bath

How? He opened his wings slightly, rocked side-to-side and flapped his mostly-closed wings, dipping his head underwater, bringing it out and shaking it. Notice the nictitating membrane covering his eye...

Great-tailed Grackle bath

Now, not quite so violently; letting the spray settle...

Great-tailed Grackle bath

Resting before starting again...

Great-tailed Grackle bath

It feels so good!

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