NatureFoodstep Abstract

I always wished that I would look out the window of my plane and see a big beautiful bird flying by, but that never happens so I made it happen in my abstract imagination ... :)

Wild Bird Wednesday

Our spring migration has been scant this year.  The lake opened up so late that most of the birds that usually come here found other places to go.  That said, we are still getting an occasional small group of late comers which I am very grateful for.

 A group of Juvenile Eagles came to check things out.  There were five all together, but I could only spot four in the trees once they landed.  

A small band of Lesser Scaups ... they stayed around for several days.  Our weather is so unpredicable now that when it turns cold it is hard to catch an updraft to get high enough to ride the thermals.

And we did finally get a few Cormorants and Pelicans ... late comers.  Nothing like the big flocks that have come in years past.  But, I am happy do get even one ...

Thank you to all of you who identified my female Red-Winged Blackbird last week.  And for those who didn't know, that's okay.  We can't be expected to know every bird.  As for me ... You were all witness to a major Brain Fart!  I have Red-Winged Blackbirds in my yard Spring, Summer and Fall and even sometimes in the winter.  I have even featured the female Red-Winged Blackbird on my blog ... Duh and Double Duh!  Now you all know what you have to look forward to in your "Golden Years"!

Wild Bird Wednesday

Wild Bird Wednesday #42
Paying Ready Attention

The Pelicans have all gone to the north to their many nesting places.  They were a joy to watch once again.  I do hope they will continue to use our lake as a resting place.  Interestingly, they don't stop here on their return trip ... hmmmmm.

There is one short story to tell that sheds some light on the wonder of nature ... I was outside when I saw what I think was the last group of Pelicans taking off across the lake ... they began their climb, riding the thermals higher and higher ... then suddenly one broke ranks and slowly glided back down to the lake.  The others seemed to continue to climb, but when they realize one was missing, they came back.  They spent the day on the lake ... the next day I wasn't home and by the following day, they were gone.  I love how they came to take care of their own ... I know the geese do it and I wonder how many other species do it.  It is a lesson man could learn from ... I do so love nature!

Onward and Upward, my friends ... 

Wild Bird Wednesday

Wild Bird Wednesday #40
Link to Paying Ready Attention

This has been an exciting weekend.  The migration has started full scale.  A large group of Pelicans finally arrived ... not as many as in the past.  I think they must have been separated when they had to find a temporary place to rest and feed because the first time they arrived our lake was still frozen.  But, they are here, just the same ... comical lumbering at first glance, but amazing and graceful in reality.   In addition to the Pelicans the Cormorants, Mergansers, Golden Eye, Greater Scaup, Wood Ducks, Loons and, of course the Mallards have all come through.  I haven't seen the Coots yet ... but they will be here with other birds I am sure.  Migrations are amazing and I am so glad we have an area that will support their travels by allowing them to rest and feed.

 

I have more Pelican pictures and some other interesting pictures I took this weekend which I will share another day.   I will once again apologize for the quality of the pictures.  I have concluded that since I can't get close enough to get high quality photos with my equipment, I am going to have to be satisfied with capturing the moment ... I hope I have done that for you today ... Happy WBW:)

Pelican Dance

Just for Fun ...