Spring...so long awaited, so very welcome. Trees are blooming. The lilacs are almost open, as are the flowering crab apples that line Main Street down in town.
The first hummingbird arrived at the feeder a couple of days ago. Other birders, less blind than I, are racking up warblers like mad. The boss and I are doing okay though. Picked up a couple of flycatchers today, a Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting (right on the feeder) and some other delightful fliers.
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| Semipalmated Plover |
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| Least Sandpiper |
Best birds of the week though, were a pair of lifers, Semipalmated Plovers and Least Sandpipers, plus not one but three Upland Sandpipers.
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| Upland Sandpiper |
Finding the latter was kind of funny....there is a horse farm up in Ames, where they breed each year. It's a good place to find them even from the road. We were pulled off on the verge and I was scanning the distant fence posts as they like to sit on top of them. Nada, although one had flown off when we drove by earlier.
As I perused the far distance the boss asked, "What color are they anyhow?"
I replied that they are kind of tan, sort of.
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| Wilson's Snipe |
He said, "What's that right next to the car there?"
Yeah, there were three of them cavorting among the lovely Thoroughbred mares and foals sharing the paddock we were parked next to.
What would I be without his sharp eyes and lack of preconceptions about where to look?
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| An adult Nottabird, nomming sliced apple I put out for catbirds and robins. |
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6 comments:
Springtime is a wondrous season, and you make it even more magical with your words. We finally have leaves again, and have been hearing songbirds for several days. It's nice to have something besides dead grass.
Lovely comment Rev. Paul. I couldn't have said it better. And yes: " . . . more magical with your words." I love the way she brings us into these moments that we'd otherwise never have experienced. Sanitized Hugs all around :)
I LOVE your notabird :)
REv. Paul, even rainy days like today are rather pleasant when all is warm and green. Thanks for your kind words.
Cathy, thank you too. Hugs to you and Keith as well.
Linda, thanks, he is cute but ravenous. lol
Oh gosh, am I glad I stopped by here today! So many amazing stories, told with your unmatched humor and knowledge! I hadn't been by for a while, desperately trying to keep up with the floral explosion taking place now, but what a treat to read about you trying to keep up with the avian explosion you attend to. I love birds as much as plants, but my eyesight is too poor to properly see them, so just imagine how happy I am to read your accounts. Thank you for keeping this blog and for so many years. I just want you to know how much I have loved having you as a companion through this wonderful natural world.
Jacqueline, such kind and comforting words. I thank you. I enjoy your blog in much the same way. Love seeing interesting plants, although I have only minimal knowledge of them. Thus I love learning from your blog....and I think of you all the time when I am out walking....Jacqueline would know what this is....lol Take care!
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