Keep a sense of scale

The ditch levels are low right now and the clear water means the denizens of the shallows are in clear view. There are many newborn critters, from tadpoles, to mosquito fish fry and baby crayfish no bigger than insects. On the other hand, there are some critters much bigger than they should be, including giant crayfish, and

very large water spiders, like these fishing spiders, which are about an inch across the legs.
The cooler weather and low water levels in the ditch is likely to bring out more mammals, who are better suited to activity in cool, dry weather. Squirrels are known to be pretty prolific nest raiders, but this one wanted to rub its cheeks on the top of the wall. I wonder if they use scent glands? Here is a link: https://www.wildlifeonline.me.uk/animals/article/squirrel-behaviour-scent-marking
The stable air mass that pushed down from the north brought in a few migrant birds, like they always do.
I spotted a cormorant, which is a weak flier but good fish hunter in the deeper water. I am not a birder, and often wish for a camera with a view finder to get the shot more quickly before the birds take off. That applies double for all the hummingbirds, dragonflies, bats, and other critters that flap around here.
 This is a rare shot of a rufous (?) maybe...hummingbird that was taking a break between territory displays. A resting hummingbird will always attract another antagonist, the mad dashes and sharp twittering shows off how those long bills are not just for feeding. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190102112921.htm
 This is a picture of some swallows with the mom on the left and the fledged juvenile on the right. Mom was still bringing the young one insects (moths) every few minutes. There are clouds of gnats right now that are breeding, and the air  above the water is filled with bats by night and barn swallows by day that specialize at catching large numbers of the smallest flying insects on the wing.