I've not only been out of pocket in general, I've been to N. Calif. for twelve days and just got back to S. Dakota on Monday. The main reason for the trip this time was to see my oldest sis while she was visiting the folks from the UK. One day we visited the Arcata Marshes, which included walking a loop trail and standing on a small bridge over Jolly Giant Creek, which is a run-off from the Pacific Ocean...clearly someone had blown the noon whistle...
During the loop walk, we witnessed many long-billed marsh wrens hopping about in the dead cattails...love was definitely in the air everywhere around the marshes...
...Anise swallowtails were flitting about as well...
...Male buffleheads were displaying their machisimo on one of the ponds...
From the bridge at Jolly Giant Creek, Oldest Sis and I discovered several awesome water/shore birds, including three Western grebes that were fishing...
...Successfully...
A green-winged teal pair was just hanging out...
...I managed to capture the female's green wing...
April 14th to 20th was the local annual Godwit Days...this was day one and we saw many of the marbled godwits in the area that week, including this one fishing on the creek's edge...
Also fishing, the great egrets...as we stood there watching one egret, three more eventually arrived...
...This great blue heron flew in for lunch as well...
...Also successful...
...Also near the shore was this willet, still in winter plumage... (best guess) ...
...A double-crested cormorant joined the lunch-time crowd...it was very busy diving and nearly impossible to get a shot of....
Just when we thought it couldn't get more exciting, down came a snowy egret to get in on the action...
Back on the trail, we spied a few golden-crowned sparrows...
And a couple black phoebes...
...and yellow-rumped warblers, Myrtles (white throat)...
My hometown area was, as I expected, very green and lush, w/ many spring flowers in bloom...and, as I expected, when I arrived back home snow was falling...2-3" fell that night. Much has melted but the landscape is still mostly brown and blah. To me it isn't spring until the snow season ends, which would be after the first week of May. ARG. Anyway, I am looking forward to wildflower and birding season here in the Black Hills, soon! This will be my last spring/summer here (I hope; according to plans)...so I'll try to make the most of it.
I liked the golden-crowned sparrow photos, Jann. Strong spring thunderstorms hit us every few days, my driveway looks like a creek bed sometimes.
ReplyDeleteHi Jann.
ReplyDeleteAfter such an array of wildlife it must be galling to come home to snow and still a few weeks until Spring arrives.
Super selection on sightings.I never realised that your Western Grebe had such a long bill.
I popped on over from Linda's Letters and am very happy to discover your wonderful blog. Your nature photos are so enjoyable and I shall look forward to coming back.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know you are home and safe. I've been wondering why you were silent. I see you have come back with a plethora of wonderful nature shots. Welcome Back.
ReplyDeleteVery nice photos and commentary! I'm heading out to ND this summer for an internship! looking forward to learning more about that area from your blog!
ReplyDelete