Environment:
Start Time: 9:00 AM Temperature: 50 degrees Sky: Cloud filtered sunshine with a light breeze
Two more days of unsettled weather have finally given way to another great day for walking. You can tell we got some pretty good rain by the number of large puddles on the trails and high, swift water moving in the Arkansas River. I only saw one Mallard and two Wood Ducks who were willing to try their luck on the river. Today’s featured image (above) is a Wood Duck Hen that I caught hanging around what I believe to be her nest. No ducklings in sight, though. The two high points of today’s outing were, one, sighting a Redheaded Woodpecker (below) who was perched kind of far off the trail. His presence was enticing enough to draw me off the trail into the muddy prairie to get this shot. I tried to get a better angle but had no luck with that. But as the woodpecker flew off I spotted a Great Horned Owl perched in a nearby tree and I got this nice shot of it stretching out its wing. I’ve seen pictures of this stance before – this is my first capture.
Sightings:
Birds: Canada Geese, Osprey, Starlings, American Robins, Cormorants, Mourning Doves, Swallows, Turkey Vultures, Wood Ducks, Mallards, Western Kingbirds, Hairy Woodpecker, Redheaded Woodpecker, Brown-crested Flycatcher, American Kestrel, Hawk, Wren, Great Blue Heron
Critters: Prairie Dogs, Squirrel, Lizard, Mule Deer
Gear: Nikon D5600, 55-300mm
