Sandhills Crane

Sandhills Crane, 2022 The light was pretty good for this mid-morning shot. Not too hot yet, and the birds were active. This photo was taken at the Wildlife Safari Park near Ashland, Nebraska. The drive-thru park has a wide variety of animals, all native to Nebraska except for the lonely Black Bear. Animals have plenty …

Sundog

It's been extremely cold for the last 4-5 days, daily high temps in single digits, light snow and 30-40 mph winds. At 9 AM on December 23 I witnessed a sundog, which is caused by the sun shining through ice crystals. Awesome sight! Thought for the Day: Far away there in the sunshine are my …

Waiting for Santa

Watching these turtles is like watching paint dry. Gradually they were making progress walking on this log. No need for a fast shutter, their movement was barely noticeable. Sort of like kids waiting for Santa when time stands still. Watching the clock, but never see it move. Checking the calendar ... several times a day. …

Flying South

Canadian Geese A week ago the temperature dove into the teens and remained below freezing for two successive nights. As if Mother Nature's alarm clock went off, the skies are filled with migrating birds heading south. Thought for the Day: The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything …

Bump on a Log

Painted Turtles Painted turtles have bright colors (green, orange, red, & yellow) on their neck and belly. But, with all the moss on them they look like a just another bump on a log. Thought for the Day: Laziness may appear attractive, but work gives satisfaction. Anne Frank

Monarch

Monarch, Sept, 2022 The Monarch Butterflies are plentiful this year, more than I can ever remember. They seem to love the stand of Mexican Sunflowers in my wild flower garden, although the Monarchs aren't bashful about raiding the zinnias either. This was such a welcome sight after many years of just onesy-twosies. I hope this …

Prairie Flower

This delicate wild flower was found along the Old Smiley Road in Fort Robinson State Park, in northwest Nebraska. The green spikes were about 18" long. If you can identify this plant or have any idea, please let me know. Tnx. Thought for the Day: In all things of nature there is something of the …

Turtle Eggs

Eggs laid July 3, 2022 A Painted Turtle chose our beach to lay her eggs. My neighbor witnessed the laying and built a box with a screen top to protect the eggs from raccoons. Incubation is 80-90 days, A long wait. Thought for the Day: Nature is slow, but sure; she works no faster than …

Love Birds

Downy Woodpeckers There has been an unusual amount of traffic at the suet feeder this spring, both in numbers and variety. This looked like a "date" between these two Downy Woodpeckers (male with red spot). This is a lousy picture (above)-- taken from a trail cam on a windy day. But the video shows a …

Kestral

American Kestral - 2022 One of the more colorful raptors found in the Central Plains states is the American Kestral. The bird stands about 9-12" tall (roughly the size of a Mourning Dove) with a wingspan of 24". Becuase of its relatively small size for a bird-of-prey, it is sometimes called a Sparrow Hawk. Their …

Yearling

Young Doe, 2017 I came across this scene in mid-May at Yosemite, NP. This young doe was more curious than afraid, and the beautiful array of wild flowers made it a special "catch". Thought for the Day: Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads. Henry David Thoreau

Duck Cam

Look hard. Concentrate on the spot 1/3 down from the top and 1/3 to the left of the right border, and you will see the head of a Mallard hen. It's amazing how she blends in with her background. On May 1st Mama & Papa duck were seen cavorting in the front yard of a …

Perpetual Care

Barn Owl This barn owl looks healthy and full of life, but it wouldn't last long in the wild. He was hit by a moving vehicle, taken to the Raptor Woodland Refuge at the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center, and saved. He is healthy now, but can't fly well enough to feed himself. This is one …

Morning Swim

Cedar Creek - May, 2022 The Canadian Geese finally got their new brood into the water. Spring was three weeks late this year, mid-May, and the proud parents couldn't wait to show off their beautiful offspring. I counted at least nine goslings I never get tired of this sight. Thought for the Day: The snow …

Special Guest

A rare oriole showed up at our bird feeder recently. We rarely see orioles in our yard because we only use basket feeders hanging from trees. We got tired of raccoons rooting around our deck, and we're too lazy to put out special feeders for orioles and humming birds. Taken with my cell phone -- …

Back Scratcher

Blue Heron - 2018 How do you get to that itch on your back that's just beyond your reach? Back up to a wall's outside corner and do the "Hokey Pokey". But, Mother Nature gave the Blue Heron a long neck so he could avoid the Hokey Pokey. Thought for the Day: I believe in …

Big Mouth

Pelican - Long Boat Key Little Known Fact: A pelican's beak can hold up to 3 gallons of water, but its stomach is only half the size of its beak. Thought for the Day: Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.Salvadore Dali

Copious Sea Shells

Sanibel Island If you like sea shells, Sanibel Island, Florida is your little piece of heaven. Every high tide deposits another thick layer of sea shells of all colors, shapes and sizes. Another wonder of Mother Nature. Thought for the Day: In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.Aristotle

Resting on Your Laurels

Kalmia Latifolia A common plant found in the Great Smoky Mountains is the Mountain Laurel. Its bright white flowers contrasting with glossy green leaves create a festive atmosphere in the spring. In ancient Greece; a "laureate" was crowned with a laurel wreath as a sign of victory and status. Today's Nobel Laureates are also honored …

Touch Down

Landing Ibis Sanibel Island, Florida is a great place to see water fowl. I was fortunate to catch this Ibis in my crosshairs before it got lost in the trees. Thought for the Day: I think we consider too much the luck of the early bird and not enough the bad luck of the early …