Warblers, waxwings, and woodpeckers ...

 I haven't posted for awhile, so I thought I would put a few recent bird photos here.  I discovered that the creek next to our condo has a small island that the birds like using for bathing and drinking.  Made it easier to get some of the photos, but I've had some luck "chasing" the warblers around in the tree branches for photos, as well.

This little warbler I only saw a couple of days.  My best guess is a black-throated green warbler in its first year.

My favorite warbler has become the yellow-rumped.  I see several of them every day right now.

This little warbler is an enthusiastic bather.  He gets in and flutters away and dips and fluffs and just has a good old time.  I believe this warbler is the Tennessee warbler.

The male yellow-rumped warbler still has some of its mating color.

This one flew up to the gutter and was banging away at something.  I think it is a moth that it has captured and was killing

This Tennessee warbler is quite the acrobat.  He loves to hang upside down.

I had several young waxwings come by to strip fruit from the trees and bathe on the island.

A male flicker stopped by.  I don't often see them.

A yellow-bellied sapsucker....another woodpecker I seldom see.

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It was a struggle to get this post completed.  The changes that blogger has made for posting are not user friendly!  I would have removed a few of these photos, but could not even figure out how to do that and was afraid I would have to re-do something else.  I may not be back any time soon.  Facebook is a lot easier.

Sandhill Cranes...

On New Year's day we went to Goose Pond looking for Sandhill cranes and found a bunch!

This shot looks better if you click on it to make it larger.

We got there kind of late in the afternoon and were fighting the sun in our eyes the whole time, but managed to get a few focused shots.

 Mike took this one

 I love watching the land

 ....and take off.

I hope to go back before they migrate for another try.

Thanksgiving 2019

It's been a busy year with much to be thankful for.  I haven't posted for a long time, so I will go backwards in time a bit from this year.  These first shots are recent from the back yard.  My old camera died and I got a new one and am trying it out. (Nikon Coolpix P900)

 The seed bell seems to be a hit with all the little birds.  Carolina Wren checking out the bottom on it.

 Titmouse says the top is better

 "Whatever"..... the Chickadee.

Squirrel Grey (as I have named my little squirrel) is checking to see if he can jump from the fence to the bird feeder pole..... 

 Sure can!

"Now if I can just sit on this little shelf" 

 Contemplation

The Downy found the bell.

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In August we met our daughter in Denver for a vacation.  A few highlights from that trip. 

 Love the little ground squirrels

Went to Rocky Mountain National Park

Some elk were right by the road. 

Moose.....we hit the jackpot on seeing most of the animals we wanted to see. 

 Marmot

Clark's Nutcracker 

 Mike and our daughter at the railroad we rode on

Bunny sitting in a prairie dog hole 

prairie dogs 

pelican 

not sure what this is, or have forgotten 

egret.

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Back home again.

 Deer across from our house along the lake.

And this month we found out we were gaining a daughter-in-law and a grandson!

It's been a great year with lots of blessings!

Mississippi Kites...

I saw a new bird yesterday and today, so I thought I would post.  I haven't posted here much, because I normally post on Facebook now.  I really like this blog better, but other bloggers have changed to Facebook, so I do both at times.

These birds were in an old dead tree at the end of the parking lot of the nursing home where Mike's mom is.  The first day I didn't have my camera, but we live 2 minutes away, so we dashed home and got it.  There were 4 the first day and I saw at least 2 today.  I had no idea what they were until I checked the bird book.....Mississippi Kites.

 The first day I saw them it was gloomy and my shots aren't very crisp.  They are large gray birds with eyes that glare at you.  These 4 looked "fluffy" and I thought they might be young, but young ones have stripes.

 We saw them fly away from the tree several times.  I have learned that they are bug eaters and that they love dragonflies and will catch them on the fly with their talons and eat them.

 Day two the sun was out and the photos are sharper.

 This one on the left looks quite a bit larger, but maybe it is just how it is sitting.

 Posing nicely for me.

 The books show that they do breed in our area.  We are close to two big rivers....the Ohio and the Wabash, and are at the top end of their breeding territory.

Doing some wing cleaning.  They travel in small groups, so I guess seeing 4 was normal enough.

I always love adding a new bird to my life list.