Before I forget, all these photos are definitely better if you click to expand the view.
And here is another hiding from me...when I tried to walk closer, he stood up and ran in the opposite direction.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Fresh from the strip pits....
For the first time in ages, I had time to spend at the strip pits. It is either feast of famine out there now. A few days ago, coming home from somewhere, we just drove through the strip pits...we had to really search to see a blackbird even. Tonight I had barely turned in till I seen one of these dudes....a ring-necked pheasant. Not this one...the first one I saw was gone in short order. He was close to the road and took off running the minute I slowed down.
And here is another hiding from me...when I tried to walk closer, he stood up and ran in the opposite direction.
These first two shots were cropped. Notice the second one, look at the bush in the background. See that grayish thing right there at the left side? That is a short-eared owl. They were out there tonight, but none were cooperating. Most were farther away, and if not, I would be shooting straight into the sun so no pics of them.
At the pond that is right at the edge of the road, this is what I saw...sandhill cranes!
There was probably 75-100 of them...maybe one of these days this will be a stopping place for a large number of them. The past three or four years, I have seen 3 or 4 or 5 a few times, so I was really excited to see this many!
And here is another hiding from me...when I tried to walk closer, he stood up and ran in the opposite direction.
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All these cranes in a row, these are amazing pictures!!! And the Pheasant, really cool!!! Wish I had a place like this to go.
ReplyDeleteTruly awesome pictures. Hope you have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteRing-necked Pheasants are beautiful birds- you where lucky to see so many gather in one place.
ReplyDeletewhere is all your snow? We are covered in the stuff here. I was just reading through your posts and I love the photos of Lorelei and her dad, she has such expressive eyes that little one.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you keep on blogging, mind you I am a rotten visitor!!!
Gill
Wow, you really hit the jackpot! Very nice.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you could spend time there and take these awesome pictures.
ReplyDeleteincredible on the sand hill cranes, i have never seen more than 3 or 4 at one time.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen a pheasant! So neat looking. We have not been to the strip pits for ages....need to go. Wonderful to see all the cranes! That looks like the size bunch we saw at Goose Pond last time...wonder if they are on the move. Your photos are much better and closer then mine were.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots Rose! I keep thinking someday I'll head down there to see my niece and meet up with you at your strip pits :)
ReplyDeleteFine shots of what was available at the pits. They made a very good post.
ReplyDeleteSo that's where all the birds are! :))
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have been out birding a LOT this winter but suddenly most of the birds have disappeared. Ha! Now I know where they are.
Wow---that is a huge group of Sandhill Cranes, Rose. My son sees them in Texas when they migrate there in the winter. They are such beautiful birds.
ReplyDeleteLike the Pheasant also.... Can't make out the owl --but I'm glad you saw him.
Looks like you did well at the Strip Pits.
Hugs,
Betsy
I don't think I've ever seen so many Sandhill Cranes at one time. You got good pictures of the pheasants as well.
ReplyDeleteWoW to the cranes...I get excited when I see three or four together which is rare....and the pheasant is a beauty. I bet your day put a smile in your heart...it did mine :)
ReplyDeleteCool photos. How fun to see those Cranes - and that many!!
ReplyDelete