It’s getting to that time when listings of the best of the year come out for many things. Here are some of my best birds of the first quarter of 2019 – nice to remember on a cold December spitting snow day.
We took an abbreviated trip to Florida and later spent several weeks in Arizona.
After a series of annoying problems with the Sprinter van, we decided that we would return home and rethink our travel options. So, after a leisurely trip northward with good weather all the way, we are back dealing with icy driveways and planning our next venture.
Just before we left Paynes Prairie State Park, I took a walk with just my iPhone.
Hearing a rustle in the leaves, I saw this cute armadillo who scurried off — sort of my last impression of Florida — a good one.
Yesterday morning, it was cold (40) here at Paynes Prairie Preserve when I went out for a walk. I was bundled up and the birds were puffed up. A Red-Shoulder hawk eyed me as I headed out.
Weather is finally turning away from parkas toward shorts weather and we, and the mosquitos, can’t wait.
I’ve had Arlo Guthrie’s song in my head for the last day because yesterday, after a nice trip into the city to visit the Museum of Art, we birded part of City Park (Coutuerie Forest) where we saw some nice birds.
City Park is as magical and unique as the city of New Orleans – and the birds like it too.
After a weather front passage, the temperatures dropped to near-freezing and the wind picked up but we got a little blue sky and sun. Here are a few shots I got this afternoon while out enjoying the crisp conditions.
Returning to the campsite, four neighbors looked me over.
There are dozens of Red-Headed Woodpeckers here at Fontainebleau State Park but most of them seem to be high in the trees resulting in photos like these.
Yesterday, we saw several down lower and this one feeding on the ground – quite far off.
He was joined by a Blue Jay and was not very happy about having company.
After a bit of trash talking, the Blue Jay departed and we left the woodpecker to finish up his meal.
After 1600 miles of travel, we are settled into one our favorite state parks — Fontaiinebleu State Park, and enjoying grey skies but warmer weather. Here are some birds we’ve seen enroute and here at the park.
As I was scanning the lake shoreline yesterday, I spotted this guy out in the water and others in costumes with drums going and people on the beach watching the going’s on. A Creole ceremony, a mid-week wedding? I moseyed over that way, met a guy who was watching the equipment tent, and learned that it was a Canadian outfit shooting a music video. The performers and director was from Canada, having flown in that morning, and a local crew was shooting.
