Sadly, my camera is off getting fixed and I have no idea how long it will be away. I’ve been so busy with work these last few weeks that I am way behind on updating the blog. The good news is, I have a nice assortment of pictures to post over the next few days and can’t wait to share them. 
These are from a long walk in the Wetlands on August 16. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
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
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
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: 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
Post the outrageous draining of May 24 by Douglas County, we have had quite a bit of rain. Things are looking a bit better today. Never make the beavers angry!
© Chris Taylor
I love the rich colors of the buntings and their beautiful vocalizations as they sing from the tops of the trees. I’m still trying to get good pictures of a painted bunting, but I’ve been lucky a couple of times in getting good looks at indigo males. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
Wood ducks are so cool. I see them often at the Wakarusa Wetlands, but I have yet to see the ducklings jumping from the nest to the ground. I think I have a pretty good idea where a nest is, so maybe I’ll get to be a witness this year. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
There were some very caring folks at the wetlands this afternoon restoring the beaver dam. You rock! Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
Saturday morning, I met another unfortunate victim of Douglas County’s draining of the Haskell side of the wetlands.
© Chris Taylor
While I love all the beings who live at the wetlands, I’ve had many enchanting encounters with minks and this just really got to me. On behalf of the minks and all the beings who live there, please continue to contact the County Commission and do whatever you can to help.
Contact for Douglas County Commission:
To donate to the Wetlands Preservation Organization:
WPO is on Facebook
Today, at 4:00 PM, you can help the beavers restore the wetlands north of 31st Street. The WPO and supporters will be moving a pile of rocks from near the Baker wetlands entrance to the breach in the dam near Haskell Ave. Park on the south side of 31st. If you can’t move rocks, come and hold signs, or just come. Please spread the word!
© Chris Taylor