Hot times at the Wakarusa Wetlands

August 10th, 2010

If you visit the wetlands during this heat wave, remember, the trick is to get there as early as possible. Bring water and keep hydrated. There is a lot of activity in the early morning and if you are a photographer, you know you can’t beat that morning light. Click on pictures to enlarge.

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

Dove nest, part 2

July 30th, 2010

The mourning doves in our neighbor’s tree are nesting in exactly the same place. The two little ones fledged around July 9 and the couple went right to work on starting another batch.  They are a dedicated couple! I look forward to seeing more little ones. I’ve never seen them nest again in exactly the same spot. They must really like this tree. :) Click on picture to enlarge.

© Chris Taylor

Wakarusa Wetlands green heron

July 25th, 2010

I was privileged to get a wonderfully long look at a magnificent green heron at the Wakarusa Wetlands this morning. It had been an unusually quiet morning. After a few hours, I was on my way back to the car and there she was. Click on pictures to enlarge.

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

Wakarusa Wetlands art exhibit at The Percolator

July 24th, 2010

The Wakarusa Wetlands art exhibit and production of Unmask Unearth: Discovering the Wetlands at the Percolator last night was amazing. Despite the heat, it was a great turnout. There were over seventy pieces there! I am so proud to have an American mink and great blue heron photos in the exhibit.  The art show will be open until August 8, Saturdays and Sundays, 12-6 pm.

The Lawrence Percolator, Ninth and New Hampshire, Lawrence

Look for the green awnings in the alley between the Lawrence Art Center and Ninth Street.

Visit the Wetlands Preservation Organization Facebook page.

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

Unmask Unearth

July 22nd, 2010

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

Baby bluebird

July 19th, 2010

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

Neighborhood Bunnies

July 12th, 2010

So good to see so many rabbits running around right now–and so cute! Click on pictures to enlarge.

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

Mourning dove family

July 6th, 2010

This beautiful family is nesting in our neighbor’s backyard. The kids are finally big enough that one of the parents isn’t always on the nest. They sit in a nearby tree where they can see the nest clearly. They are the cutest! Click on pictures to enlarge.

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

Neighborhood hawks

July 5th, 2010

In the early spring, we were pretty sure we had red-tailed hawks nesting nearby. We could hear what sounded like the young calling for food, and we saw two adults pretty much every day. While we never did discover where the nest is, and haven’t seen any fledgling hawks,  we still see the adults fairly regularly. Whenever I am in the yard and all goes quiet, I look up and see one sailing through. Click on pictures to enlarge.

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

I’ll take the streetlight

July 5th, 2010

We have house wrens living in the streetlight in our front yard. It is glorious to see them coming and going, stopping occasionally for a drink at the birdbath. The best part of their tenancy is the singing. They sing all day long. I only wish it were cooler, so we could leave the windows open all the time. Click on pictures to enlarge.

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor