Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher and Friends

Posted on April 4, 2022 by admin

I think it has been about two years since I last saw a scissor-tailed flycatcher. Good to see them again!

scissor-tailed flycatcher perched on blade of grass

We also managed very good looks at a sleeping barred owl and several deer foraging near the road.

Checked in on a nearby great blue heron rookery. They’ve moved back a bit more into the wooded area, so the pictures are not so great, but so glad to see they’re still there!

Finally Fall

Posted on October 26, 2021 by admin

I’ve managed to get to the wetlands a couple of times over the last two weeks. I am so excited about the arrival of fall!!!!! Cooler weather means fewer insects, who seem to love dining out on me, and fewer people. Fewer people mean more critters to watch!

Lovely, brisk morning, and an angry beaver

Posted on March 19, 2021 by admin

It’s that time of year. Mammals are very busy getting ready for their young ones. I ran into a few deer and a very large beaver who seemed a bit dismayed that I was walking along the creek. I gave her space.

Wetlands Updates

Posted on December 14, 2016 by admin

Finally, I am getting around to getting out to the Wetlands a bit more regularly. I always look forward to cold mornings when there are just a few humans on the paths. We nod at each other and sometimes share our stories of who we have been seeing. It is a kind of quiet community, and I would venture to say, one that brings some peace to many of us worrying about the current state of things. While we may not know what is coming, one thing I am sure about is my commitment to keep sharing and hoping more humans pay attention. Click on pictures to enlarge.

Not a great a picture, but I wanted to share this because I think this bald eagle couple might be contemplating a nest here. This would be a wonderful addition to the wetlands, and it looks like good real estate!

Northern Harrier trying to outmaneuver a group of sandpipers and a killdeer. They got away.

Deer and coyotes.

Bluebirds, goldfinches, and herons, oh my.

Wetlands Residents

Posted on November 20, 2016 by admin

It is that time of year again when I have trouble staying at my desk and getting my work done. The number of migrants at the Wakarusa Wetlands has been astounding. And, of course, the year-round residents like the deer and bald eagles are always a pleasure to see. Click on pictures to enlarge.

Wakarusa Wetlands Reopens

Posted on February 21, 2016 by admin

The area I used to visit three or four times a week at the Wakarusa Wetlands is open again. While I did not venture north to areas most affected by the construction, I was overjoyed to go back in to my usual spots. The mitigation areas looked very good from what I could see. The newer Maple Marsh, Ibis Swale, Duck Lake, and Shorebird Shallows were all busy with geese, grebes, gulls, and assorted ducks (many mallards, Northern shovelers, and teal). Killdeer were all along the edges. I did not get a lot of pictures this morning, but I saw a beaver, mink, and muskrat from a distance as well as a big group of deer. I am trying to stay positive, but do worry about how all of the proposed development along 31st is going to affect this area. It looks like there is one path that goes under the highway where Louisiana Street was. I hope that once the highway is finished and heavily traveled that animals use that. I could not see from where I was how that all works, but I am keeping my fingers crossed. An updated map can be found, here: http://www.bakeru.edu/images/pdf/About/Wetlands/Wetlands_Area_Mapweb.pdf

Deer and Turkeys

Posted on October 20, 2015 by admin

I am so happy to see so many deer and turkeys this fall. They seem to be everywhere the last couple of weeks. Seeing them foraging together a few times was a nice treat. Click on pictures to enlarge.

And one lone turkey vulture. They will be leaving soon. I always miss their beautiful soaring, their kettles.

Occupy the Wakarusa Wetlands

Posted on October 26, 2013 by admin

Every picture I post this week will be from the area of the Wakarusa Wetlands that will be obliterated by the SLT. I have hundreds of pictures of hundreds of species who will be displaced and/or killed by greed and indifference.

This will be gone. Click on pictures to enlarge.