First birding of the year

Took my mom to Fountain Creek Regional Park today to go birding.Was a beautiful day a little windy but overall a great day to be outside and an event better day because it involved birding. She had a great time and wants to go again. I added 2 birds to my life list. The hooded mersanger was the favorite of the day. Could of been out there for hours but was not to be. There were many different kinds of birds on the water,I really need to learn more about how to go about identifying them. Was fun we saw Cackling geese, Canadian Geese, Mallards, Hooded Mersanger,Lesser Scaup and a few other kinds but not close enough or patient enough to figure out what they were,also a woodpecker a finch and chickadees and some other of those types around that I did not identify. Was hoping to see my favorite the Great Blue Heron,but sadly enough not today.The ice is almost all melted off.Told him about the day and he can’t wait to go now.Me neither he is getting very good at identifying them.