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.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
The Wakarusa (Baker) Wetlands are the place for egrets and herons at this time of year. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
Some areas of the Wakarusa Wetlands south of the work on the SLT are accessible now by car. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
I was watching a great blue heron come flying into the marina at Clinton Lake the other day, and to my surprise, she landed right in the water, picked up a fish, then flew off. It almost seemed like she was swimming like a pelican would. I have never seen one do that before. When she took off, she kind of did that running on water thing coots do when they take off super fast. It all happened so fast, but was amazing to watch. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
Now that the ice is melting, we’re seeing many more great blue herons along the shore line. This poor fish is nearly as big as the heron. I thought she might not be able to take off, but she managed just fine. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
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.
© Chris Taylor
American mink scurries across the ice.
© Chris Taylor
Great blue heron
I love mornings like this. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© 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
Loved checking out this huge great blue heron rookery the other day! As we were watching, I noticed that we were really only getting a partial view. There are many more nests in the trees behind. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
