I wondered why so many of my library colleagues were grouped at the windows of the big room at Beaver Lake Nature Center.

Then I saw the bird houses. The trees.

Beautiful specimens.

The birds.

Beautiful specimens.

Watching, carefully.

The beautiful, magnificent birds.

Natural wonder.

These were all photographed through the window panes.

My dear wife Karen and I will be returning in warmer weather to spot them from outdoors.

And a serendipitous update: hours after I posted the above, my email box contained the following message from Onondaga County Parks:

Bird watching enthusiasts and those looking to learn about birding are invited to join a naturalist Mondays and Tuesdays in April, May, & June at 8am, for Morning Bird Walks. Each outing takes visitors in search of spring migrants and summer residents along the hedgerows, at the forest’s edge, and across the bog. Free with admission.

Beaver Lake Nature Center, an Onondaga County Park, is located 3 miles west of Baldwinsville off of Route 370. Admission is $5 per vehicle. For more information, call the Nature Center at 315-638-2519 or visit www.OnondagaCountyParks.com.