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
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
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
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
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
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
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
This particular bluebird box is a hot property this year. Earlier in the spring, I watched two bluebird couples fighting over it, but I never saw what looked like nest-building. This guy let me know that this box belongs to him. I generally keep pretty far back so as not to disturb any activity. Apparently, pretty far back was not far back enough. I took a few pictures, then gave him his space. When I went back to this spot a couple of weeks later, it looked unoccupied again. Perhaps it is a haunted nest box. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor