04-30-09 Eng Landing and more

A planned bird hike at English Landing Park did not work out. Although I arrived before the rain began, about 15 minutes later rain was coming down in buckets. So the bird hike didn't work out. I did see a few birds out in a flooded field next to the park and took pictures out my window. Poor picture quality, but the conditions were tough. After getting tired of the lightening and downpour, and since I wasn't planning to go to work anyway, I started driving north. I'd been told there was no rain in St. Joseph. I headed that way, and then made my way back southeast and eventually back home. Saw my First of Year Dickcissel. Don't miss the COW picture at the end.

Lifer today:
Orchard Oriole

Lark Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow
Solitary Sandpiper

Wilson's Phalarope

Purple Martins

Barn Swallow

Bank Swallow

Tree Swallows

Blue-winged Teal

Orchard Oriole

Dickcissel

This is a COW

Speed Limit? 55 mph

Cow's speed? zero mph

*shakes head*

Altered photo of deer family

Weston Bend 4-24-09

Lifers today:

• Eastern Towhee
• Orange-crowned Warbler
• Northern Rough-winged Swallow
• Swainson's Thrush
• Warbling Vireo
• Broad-winged Hawk
• Great Horned Owl

Friday April 24, 2009

A clear calm sunny day to start, that around 10am changed over to partly sunny, with very windy conditions. I headed to Weston Bend State Park for the morning. I walked the entire paved trail, and then walked the River Trail and the Bear Creek Trail. Then I stopped on the way home to check out an owl nest. Even zoomed in totally the picture is not clear. But it was neat to see some activity anyway.

Some pictures from the day:

Eastern Towhee

Orange-crowned Warbler

Brown Thrasher Singing quite loudly from the top of a sycamore.

Indigo Bunting
Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Baltimore Oriole (young male)

Baltimore Oriole (young male)

White-throated Sparrow

White-breasted Nuthatch

Sleeping possum or raccon.

Chipping Sparrow

Unknown #2a

Unknown #2b

Eastern Phoebe

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Swainson's Thrush

Swainson's ThrushWarbling Vireo

Broad-winged Hawk Great Horned Owl (young),

another birder got an excellent photo of this guy!

(unknown, at I-435 and Skyview KCMO)

Bean Lake April 1

I walked the paths at Bean Lake and then meandered back roads between there and St. Joseph. I believe I saw a Henslow sparrow in the country, the color of the head was eye-catching. Unfortunately it dipped back down into the field before I could even raise my camera. I've been back to the same place and haven't seen one. Lots of other sparrows. All the usual ducks out today.

American White Pelican
D-C Cormorants huddled on this island

Fox Sparrow

Great Egret

R-C Kinglet

Savannah Sparrow

Tree Swallow

Squaw Creek April 8

A lovely place to spend a vacation day.

I did have a very short scary moment. Just after turning up to the northern marsh area, turned off the car to take pictures and when I tried to start it again, NOTHING. After recovering from the initial panic moment, I remember that DH said my car battery clamps are just a bit loose. I checked and they were VERY loose again. (I have a very shaky car!). I was able to turn them enough to get contact with the battery and all was well. Car started right up. *whew*.

My favorite pics from the day.

The blue of the bluebirds was just glowing. Just beautiful!

TURKEYS!!

Check out these guys with their tails on display!

Very impressive!
Kingfisher

Sparrow (song?)

Bufflehead

Hooded Merganser couple

Sparrow (savannah?)

Yes, it's a cowbird. I think they're pretty.

Bald eagle pics, including the nest.

No baby pictures.

Norther Flicker. He was determined to stay in the shade.

Someday I will get a good picture of a flicker.

Greater Yellowlegs.

Great Egrets

Pelican

Pelicans overhead