Water Ouzel - Dipper

Day 40: Little Dipper is a happy sort, and hard to catch when he's holding still. He dances when he's perching, bobbing up and down almost as regularly as a second hand ticks on a clock. He's also an amazing diver and swimmer! He will disappear into a rapidly flowing creek, emerging half a minute later at some point upstream.

Cinclus mexicanus (also known as Water Ouzel) is a fairly common sight in upland creeks and streams in the Pacific Northwest and tends to be solitary. I was somewhat surprised to find two at the local kids' fishing pond today when I went down to survey the floodwaters in the Mashell. The rain was pouring down, but these birds were as happy as could be among the drops and splashes. I'm glad someone enjoys the rain!