First hummer sighting of the season

Our neighbor predicted that hummers would show up this past weekend - end of April and breezes and all that. Turns out she was right! A black-chinned I believe..

Potpourri

The full moon had many names, but the Pink Moon I liked best. Then I saw these little baby ducks scooting around the pond on my way home - Momma saw me and sounded a warning.  So I took a couple of shots and left.

Backyard flowers...

Along with tulips and daffodils we had these beauties..

Another fine day

I've not had a day at the refuge before when there was no-one out there except me (and the DNR folks). So quiet, peaceful and no interruptions, I could stop in the middle of the road for as long as I wanted!!
Anyway, the young GBH was in the same spot on my way in, a Snowy Egret was prancing along looking quite sharp, the Ibis are almost as plentiful as the geese with a different kind of beauty, and a Harrier and a Red-tailed Hawk had a territorial dispute that I got to witness.  The Harrier is so much more agile than the Red-tailed but the Marsh Hawk finally gave up.

Northern Harrier - young one I believe.

White-faced Ibis..

Refuge Sunday

An impromptu trip to the refuge today turned out to be very rewarding. Sandhill cranes, GBH, Terns, Harriers, Black-necked Stilt, Avocets, Northern Shovelers, Snowy Egrets, Barn Swallows, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, etc....
Here's a few of the photos for your enjoyment..

Snowy Egret

Black-crowned Night Heron

Barn Swallow

Black-necked Stilt

Cinnamon Teal

Long-billed Curlew chasing a plundering Raven..

Northern Harrier about to drop on his prey

Common Tern

Yellow-headed Blackbird

GBH

Wednesday's Birds..

Today started off quite well for a birdhead! A group of Cedar Waxwings visited our backyard fountain to get a drink of water. Fortunately the fountain was working, although much of the surface was frozen. They were very cute to watch!
Then off to the refuge. A Black-crowned Night Heron sitting in a tree greeted me, from there a White-faced Ibis, then a Great Egret in the distance, a Bonaparte Gull (wonder how it got that name?), a Snowy Egret, American Avocets, Northern Shoveler pretending to sleep, and a very goofy squirrel sitting out on a branch where any raptor could get him!
Nice to be out there...

Drooling...

There is something about water and sand and light that just makes me drool!  Good thing the camera is above my mouth!!!!

Rustler....

The Stellar's Jay is still rustling peanuts!!

Refuge followup..

Following up from Mondays Refuge - A long-billed Curlew and a pair of Canvasbacks..

Refuge Monday

Sunny but a cool breeze this morning - Long-billed curlews feeding in a field, Sandhill Cranes in fields and soaring overhead, Mama GBH sitting on nest and Harriers soaring quite high - interesting morning.
With the sound of frogs and cranes in my ears - wonderful!

The swallows are back!

Tuesday's trip to the refuge was uneventful except for seeing the swallows! They're back and just in time as the bugs are back also!
Beautiful birds, hard to see and follow..

Barn swallow on bottom and Tree Swallow on top..

If you park underneath them and open the car's skylight - you might see this..

Spring flowers

My Minnesota friends are basking in snow - but here we are having spring-like weather. With a spring storm due tomorrow but a return to mid-50's later the flowers will just keep on blooming..