Blog Archives
Swan Cygnets
Friends, these babies of the Trumpeter Swan are having a friendly conversation on the water. I love the pink beaks that are present on these cygnets all summer as they grow up. Mom and dad are close by and being protective, The family was headed for the weeds where mom and dad stomp around and loosen little critters for the babies to pluck off the water surface. til Tomorrow MJ
Joyous Day
Friends, lots of folks around Crex Meadows have been watching this red-neck grebe’s nest this spring, wondering when will the little ones hatch. Yesterday was the day, in the morning I watched against the sun and saw three little heads riding on the adults, when i visited again in the evening when the light was better, I only saw these two riding on mom, but a third might be hidden somewhere in her feathers. A soft comfy bed to take a nap, I will visit again today to see how they fare in Phantom Lake, this image is a little fuzzy but I had to push my telephoto to get any image at all, enjoy, I know I will til Tomorrow MJ
Badlands Flicker
Friends, back to the badlands today with this Northern Flicker singing in the cottonwoods of the Cottonwood Campground. This site was once my grandfather and grandmothers ranch where they raised five children on the banks of the Little Missouri River. Today campers and birds and an occasional bison that wanders thru are the inhabitants. til Tomorrow MJ
Weekly Photo Challenge:The World Through Your Eyes
Friends, this pair of Trumpeter Swans are in my world and photographing them is a thrill when the cygnets first arrive in the spring. I like to think that the male is combing his feathers and the female is watching the babies very closely but these roles could be reversed as it is difficult to tell the male from the female as they look alike. This is my world, sitting in my vehicle blind and watching the wildlife of Crex and photographing those stories that are often untold but only present in photos. til Tomorrow MJ
Redstart
Friends, this tiny bird is new to me, had to travel to North Dakota to find him. He is an American Redstart, and he is showing an attitude in this image. Actually he is waiting for some insects to buzz by so he can catch them. He has three spots of orange on his black, one on the tail, one on the wing and the inside shoulder spots shown in the top image, the image below shows his spots used to id him. At first i thought this was an oriole, but he is much smaller. til Tomorrow MJ
Mountain Bluebirds
Friends, these mountain bluebirds are much bluer than our eastern bluebird and such a vibrant blue it is. The male was close to the house, but the female was sticking very close to her nest box. The barbed wire is a convenient perch. til Tomrrow MJ
Weekly Photo Challenge:The Sign Says
Friends, this little Eastern Kingbird knows where he is safe from humans, within the borders of Crex Meadows he is protected by the state of Wisconsin. Too bad the fox, coyote, skunks, badgers,eagles, hawks, and other predators can’t read. til Tomorrow MJ
More Singing
Friends, this is my best meadowlark singing, I think it is the decisive moment with the feathers in motion. Those of you who have never visited the Dakotas in the spring have not learned of the spring wind that is always blowing and the meadowlarks continue to sing regardless. This one sang for us within feet of our vehicle and we listened to his cheery song. til Tomorrow MJ
The Singing Meadowlark
Friends, this Meadowlark is sitting on a small clay hill, no more than a bump on the ground. The clay has dried into a popcorn texture typical of the badlands cover. He chooses a high spot to sing his song and encourage his mate to build a nest on the ground, saying he will protect her. til Tomorrow MJ
Badlands Lark Sparrows
Friends, this lark sparrow is a cheery bird of spring in the badlands areas, they fly and flit through the spring air and show off for the females. They are found mainly west of the Mississippi river on the open prairies. His head has distinct black white and chestnut markings, til Tomorrow MJ
MJ Springett 