Refuge Friday

 A day later and what a difference  - wildlife was almost non-existent! The fortunate happening was sighting a Merlin and getting a decent photo of it. Lots of Tundra swans sitting on the ice and a Rough-legged hawk couple hanging out.

Enjoy!

Snow on Teasels..

Swamp sparrow..

A UDD - unidentified diving duck...

White on white..

Merlin hanging out..

One of the two Rough-legged's..

I am a sucker for reflections...

REFUGE THURSDAY - One week later..

Thursday was a busy day for wildlife at the refuge. Despite a threatening cloud bank coming in from the north, lots of activity.

Started with the young eagle flyover and ended with Hector, the gull, on the post.  Inbetween lots of pelicans and stuff... 

Eagle flyover..almost a mature eagle..

Big blue swung by for a photo op..

Great Egret - a little cool for it but beautiful..

Harriers hunting..

Hector, the gull, watching closely..

Kestrel cutie...

A couple of groups of Great White pelicans floated in and proceeded to do their air dancing....fascinating how these big birds float through the air...

A Rough-legged hawk soared by..

Red-winged Blackbird in a hurry...

Refuge Thursday

 A bright, sunny day after a day of snow and rain...and the refuge welcomed us.  The first show for us was Tundra swans, with the light at the right angle and with them close enough to take advantage of. Hard to beat that for an opener. 

Harriers, Rough-legged hawks, White-faced Ibis, lots of ducks and Great Blue Herons doing their mating/nesting thing in the rookery. Watching the Herons is an education - the males flying down to pick up sticks, some longer than them, and the females taking the sticks and arranging them in the nest. 

Quite a gift to be able to enjoy these wild creatures..

Swans a-swimming and then a-flying....

The nest builders at work

Gorgeous female Northern Harrier

White-faced Ibis..looking dorky as usual..

Mallard couple on flyby..

His Majesty, the Rough-legged...

I can't resist these Red-winged Blackbirds..love their songs, their colors and their behavior..

Red rocks, Rabbits and Roadrunners

 The three R's..here at Kayenta just outside of St. George. A warm day, so wonderful to sit in the sun and breathe air without all the pollution in it. Relaxing.

Here's the signature items...

This is one of two that were playing together...chasing one another around the sagebrush..

Red rocks are awe-inspiring..every time I see them..

A fascinating bird..The manager at the cafe Xetava said that there were several hanging around, grabbing food and running off to eat it. He also thought they resemble Velociraptors..

Refuge Wednesday

 After a fairly lengthy hiatus I visited the refuge yesterday. Clear skies, no smog, sunshine..excellent.

No eagles anywhere..maybe next year. We may drive up I-84 around Morgan to see if the eagles are hanging out there.

Tundra swans are here..the beautiful and noisy birds that seem quite elegant with the long necks. Quite a few of them and reasonably close in. White pelicans soared against the blue sky, Northern Harriers performed everywhere with minimal attention to humans. Blackbirds stopped by for a photo op as did a juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron. 

Enjoy..

The queen hunting..

Bright and colorful pheasant..

The Gray Ghost...

My favorite Rough-legged posed for a photo before heading off on a hunt..

Tundra swans...

RWB's and Tri-colored Blackbirds..

Great White Pelicans 

White-faced Ibis and Coot..

Night Heron juvenile, I think it sits there and sunbathes!

A master of flying agility, she hunts about 18 inches off the ground..