I had a great time Friday watching barn swallows circling, diving, twirling and doing all the wonderful things barn swallows do. No wonder they call them aerialists. These young ones were hanging out near a ditch full of water that was swarming with insects, which probably explains why they seemed to be enjoying themselves so much. They seemed to be taking turns landing on the little bridge, resting for just a second, then diving off again. Click on picture to enlarge.
If you have been following the blog, you know we are privileged to have a lovely cardinal couple living in our backyard. She has a white head. She looks kind of parrot-like, so we call her Polly. I haven’t seen her around for a while, so it was great to see her hanging out enjoying the sun this morning. Click on picture to enlarge.
We discovered a new place for viewing shorebirds this morning thanks to a Kansas birder. Many killdeer and one I think is a black-bellied plover. I am constantly amazed by the beauty around us. Don’t forget to look up. Click on pictures to enlarge.
This beauty was hanging out right next to the road this morning. We watched her until a car came from the opposite direction and she was off with her frog. Click on picture to enlarge.
I always enjoy my early morning walks at the wetlands, but Friday was particularly nice as the sunrise was so extraordinary. I love watching the blackbirds and grackles gathering en masse, gradually spreading out across the fields as the sun comes up. Click on pictures to enlarge.
Last week, I caught a picture of this one resting for just a second. I went to the same spot this week and waited for quite a while. A couple came flittering past, but I just wasn’t quite quick enough. Click on picture to enlarge.
Guess I know why they are called tree swallows. 
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I had a very nice walk in the wetlands Sunday morning. It actually started out chilly! The highlight was dozens of green herons. Click on pictures to enlarge.
