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
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
Fresh Phlox
Friends, we are journeying back to Crex Meadows today to show you this pretty little flower, this is wild prairie phlox that is blooming all over Crex this month. I like the color, wild violet will fade to a pink as the flower is exposed to the sunshine. But when it first blooms it is a lovely deep shade, enjoy til Tomorrow 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
Killdeer
Friends, this little bird is the Killdeer, who builds a nest on the ground. If you venture near, the bird will put on an act looking like he has a broken wing and will try to lead you away from the nest. Here he stands in a puddle in Crex, no doubt looking for a nesting spot. Leaving South Dakota behind today and going to North Dakota. til Tomorrow MJ
Weekly Photo Challenge:Escape
Friends, this rough-legged hawk has escaped from our summery weather back to his frosty north land. This is a dark phase hawk who hung around later than usual this spring. The dark patch in the wrist area is the id mark that i look for to identify this bird. We are also escaping, running away to the badlands where it is typically hot and dry, a desert area with clay ridges and cliffs. til Tomorrow MJ
Yellow warbler
Friends, this tiny yellow warbler has returned to Crex. He was so hungry that he did not notice me creeping closer to him, he just kept pecking and snapping up tiny insects to fill his crop. After his long migratory flight, he was very hungry. still on the road in South Dakota, til Tomorrow MJ
Willow Warbler
Friends, this tiny warbler is a palm warbler and he is an old bird on my life bird list, in the past all the images that i tried to get of this bird was blurred cause they are so quick , but this day he sat quietly in the willows and i was able to capture this quiet moment, I liked how the backlit pussy willows framed him, we are on the road to the badlands til Tomorrow MJ
Mother’s Day Warbler
Friends, this cheery little guy is wishing you all a Happy Mother’s day, This is a yellow rumped Warbler and his movements are very quick and darting while hunting insects on the sandy road . You can see his yellow id tags, one on his head, two on each side of his chest and a hint of his yellow butt patch from whence he gets his name. I love his black mask and always ask, who is that masked man?? this bird does not travel alone this time of year, there were hundreds hunting on the road right after the road grader had stirred up the sand. Getting them to hold still for a picture was the challenge, just like a room full of kindergarten kids,Mothers know what i mean, so I dedicate this post to my mom, who raised five little live wires, til Tomorrow MJ
MJ Springett 