Some snow remained from our recent wild winter weather and much of the open water was still iced over.
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There were all sorts of birds everywhere and we couldn't stop pointing them out!
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I don't get tired of looking at and listening to swans. They sound vaguely like Sandhill Cranes. Here are my favorite shots of Tundra Swans....
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A sharp pair of Hooded Mergansers stylishly cruised past.
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Ms Nut always pointed us in the right direction......
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Lots of Rough-legged Hawks, Herons, Harriers, and Red-tailed Hawks take advantage of the bounty of rodent life in the fields. We witnessed a Heron snare a mouse\rat\vole about the size of a guinea pig, dip it in the water then swallow it Whole and Alive. Yowza.
This is a Rough-legged Hawk in the field. It looks like a vanilla ice cream cone....good way to ID it.
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A terrific start to the new year.....can't wait for more outdoor adventures!
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5 comments:
Awesome photos! We love the everyone pointing pic. We actually laughed out loud. Glad you got a photo of the Rough-Legged
It was a great day out there and it was a lot of fun to run into you guys! We'll have to plan a birding get together. Imagine the damage we could do with six sets of eyes!
Great post. Between you and the Portland Birders you guys about summed it up. I will have to see if there is anything left to write about. Mr. Nut did get some good photos of the Heron eating the vole "the size of a hamster." I'll definitely post those!!
Great photos...loved the one of you all pointing everywhere...
sounds like you had a very nice birdie day!
Well, I have now read all 3 accounts of this birding trip - sounds like you all had a marvelous time. Great way to bring in the new year. Happy 2009!
What fun, I would love to get out and go birding again. It's been awhile...
but my birding is just the local ones out behind my house.
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