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!
If you love birds, you know this is one of the most exciting (and fun!) times of the year. Residents are courting and singing, and a variety of species are stopping by on their way to their northern homes. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
It has been a busy few days at the Wakarusa Wetlands. The wet, cool weather has been especially good for early morning walks. Shorebirds are arriving in abundance and year-round residents are busy staking out territory, courting, and gathering nest materials. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
Fall migration is well underway. There are thousands of gulls at Clinton Lake and I never get tired of watching. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
It was a lovely morning at the lake. Many migrants are still coming through. There are still thousands of gulls. I imagine the egrets are getting ready to leave to for the season. Everywhere we went there were pelicans. The young bald eagle was a nice surprise. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
Fall migration is wonderful! The cormorants were coming in all morning and there are thousands of gulls here. I watched hundreds of swallows swooping over the grass and water. I think they will be leaving soon. A very nice morning!
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
While we Kansans love to talk about how unpredictable our weather is, I do love it. It was in the fifties when I got to the lake this morning and the sun was shining. I was going down a path when the wind changed direction and the clouds came in. I think the temperature dropped about ten degrees before I got back to the car. It was invigorating, and beautiful. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
I saw a gull dive-bombing grebes for their fish. It does not seem like it would be a very productive activity for gulls since grebes can stay under water for a very very long time. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
If you live in the Lawrence area, you have probably noticed the thousands of gulls moving through. Amazing, and big fun to watch! Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
