BIRDWATCHING SURPRISE

 Spring is a great time for birdwatching, with the migration in full force.  I recently spotted a killdeer, a savannah sparrow, and an eastern kingbird, all summer-only residents of our area.  But the most exciting find for me was seeing colts, or sandhill crane chicks.  The parents and their two babies crossed the road in front of me and went into a field of tall grass.  I didn’t think I’d gotten the colts until I got home and blew the image up on my computer.  Look closely, and you’ll see their yellow feathers on the right side of the last image.

 

 

Mary Oliver’s Blue Iris

 

“It doesn't have to be the blue iris, it could be weeds in a vacant lot, or a few small stones; just pay attention…” 

 

 

FIRST CUTIES ARRIVE

 I spotted a family of geese near a farmland pond.  The goslings were so fuzzy and cute as they followed their parents pecking for food and taking a swim.  What spring newbies will I see next?

 

 

FARMLAND SUNSET

Gracie and I headed out in the evening, hoping to see the first fawns of the season.  She hung out the car window watching.  As we drove through the woods, I could see the sun beginning to set.  I had fun changing my camera settings to get starbursts.  We finally reached a hill where we watched a beautiful sunset.  No fawns, yet.

 

 

 

FIRST HERON

 I’ve been waiting for herons and egrets to arrive from their winter homes.  Finally, I spotted this green heron on a branch near the Anderson Creek wetlands, not far from Kingsley.  I watched it preen, scratch, and stretch until swarms of mosquitoes drove me away.