Unmask.Unearth: Discovering the Wetlands
Art Show opens July 23rd, 6-9pm
Youth Ensemble Performances – July 23 & 24th at 7pm
The Lawrence Percolator, Ninth and New Hampshire, Lawrence
Look for the green awnings in the alley between the Lawrence Art Center and Ninth Street.
http://lawrence-percolator.blogspot.com/2010/06/call-for-art-unmaskunearth.html
© Chris Taylor
The animals of the Wakarusa Wetlands need our help. Help save this sacred space. Don’t pave their homes.
© Chris Taylor
I saw this little fellow in a parking lot at the lake. He was about halfway between two nest boxes, so he could have fledged from either. I walked over to him so he would move into the grass. I thought this would be out of harm’s way. About twenty minutes later, I came back by and the big mowers were going near where he was. I ran over as fast as I could and tried to wave at the guy mowing to stop. He wouldn’t stop, just waved at me, so I ran ahead and looked for the little bluebird in the grass. I never found him, but I hope that means he took off with his parents. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
After a careful inspection, this looks like the place. I’ll be checking back in a bit to see the bluebird puffballs! Hope I can remember which tree this is. 
Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
I stopped to watch some bluebirds yesterday and observed two males and two females having what looked like a “bluebird smack-down.” I think they might have been fighting over a nest box, but of course, I wouldn’t know. At one point the males were wrestling on the ground and one of the females dived in. It was pretty amazing to watch. I am very happy to report that it looked like no one was hurt. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
While the bluebirds are a year-round treat in these parts, they’re not always so easy to find in the winter. It’s nice to see them returning to their usual spots near nest boxes and other regular nesting areas. This barbed wire fence is a particular favorite. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
Bluebirds. Need I say more… Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
I managed to walk around the lake for a while on Tuesday. I imagine it will be a few days before I get out there again with the forecast of a twenty-below wind chill for the next few days. I had the area below the dam to myself on Tuesday. I expected to see a few eagles, but there were not too many around. I did stumble upon a tree full of wonderful bluebirds. They were very curious about me. I thought I heard them say, “What are you doing out here, silly human?” Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
I could watch them all day. Click on picture to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
Watching the spectacular colors this fall has been a real treat. The bluebird is quite lovely, too. Click on pictures to enlarge.
