Refuge Friday

I visited the refuge today, it is the last day that you can drive the entire road. Starting tomorrow, the DNR closes off a large section of the dike road so the breeding birds and their offspring have a safe place to be.

A decent crowd of birders/photographers were there and the Sandhill cranes entertained them. There was a group of 4 early on and they were very available from the road. The later two were quite a ways down the road and not easily visible. These two also provided me with the photos of the 'dancer' crane...a feature of the mating process. The male spreads his wings and jumps in the air and makes a lot of noise. Quite fun to watch.

There were Harriers, Kestrels, Great Blue Herons, Bald eagles and pheasants around..a great show. Here's a few of my favorites from the day..

Sandhill cranes in formation..big birds with a 7 foot wingspan makes it a challenge to be in close formation, but they did it..

Bald Eagle..

Great Blue heron with nesting material...

Male Harrier, aka Grey Ghost, posed for me and gave me a bunch of wonderful opportunities..

The Sandhill crane mating ceremony....The male is the main actor..

Looking grumpy and depressed..juvenile Black-crowned Night heron..

A refuge visit must include a Kestrel photo..

A Killdeer couple...

Red-winged Blackbirds are everywhere..a challenge to get a new perspective on them..

Refuge Monday

Sandhill cranes and Kestrels...almost everywhere. I was able to get photos of the cranes but only a few of the kestrels as they are in movement most of the time ..plus easily spooked..

The cranes flew up from places I’d not seen them in before. This made for a few challenges, but that’s what’s fun..

Enjoy!

A new bird for me...Gadwall.  Female top and male bottom. Very unique colors in the males feathers.

One Kestrel

There’s fishing and there’s catching...aptly demonstrated below..

The stars of yesterday now..Sandhill cranes..aand they are noisy..

This Blue Heron was a surprise to me...flying along and suddenly it dove and started loudly squawking..Apparently at a Harrier nearby.. It dove after the Harrier but didn’t come close.

Tundra swans resting on the migration flight..

Kestrel..He and his mate were sitting on the house, she took off as I stopped. 

Antelope Island on Saturday

 We drove up to Antelope Island Saturday, despite the snowstorm possibilities. Our faith was rewarded by slowly disappearing clouds and somewhat blue skies.

It was coyote day on the island. We saw at least 5, including watching two young ones as we came and then as we left. ‘Scruffing in the snow, hunting and just lolygagging around..just like dogs..

The chukar partridges were a welcome surprise. I used to always see them on the Island but hadn’t for a couple of years. This trip we not only saw a flock, but got to watch a dust-up between two of them. Vicious little devils!

Here’s a few favorites from yesterday ...

Lone antelope monitoring the buffalo..

Sunrise on nearby mountains..always extra special when seen from the Island..

One of two younger coyotes seen back near the ranch..loping along to join it’s brother across the road..

Nice looking porcupine hanging out in the Russian olive trees..

These next three follow the young-uns along the causeway on our way out.

The Leap was followed by a successful meal..

Floating in the air as he heads toward his prey..

These chukars were way up on the hillside above the new campgrounds..Two of them engaged in a vicious-looking battle while the others nonchalantly looked on.....

Refuge Sunday

A sunny day, although the temperature at the refuge didn’t get above 25 all day. Very nice to be outside and sit in the sun.

It was Super Bowl Sunday, with not too many birders out. A few hunters in and out. Lots of Harriers and Red-winged blackbirds. Several kestrels. and just for fun, a couple of Bald eagles.

Here’s some shots from the day. enjoy!

Nothing like a singing Red-winged blackbird..

Northern shovelers hanging out together..

Several kestrels around, glad to see more of them..

Juvenile Red-tailed hawk..

Finally, a juvenile Black-crowned night heron..I’ve been looking for them all winter..

Good old Baldie! Only two of them showed up yesterday..

And the hunter..coyote in the grass..sat and watched two of them wander through this area..