A Thousand Acres of Silphiums

Birds of Quivira – Xanthocephalus

birds, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, wildlife, wildlife photography

Found rarely in Missouri, the Yellow-headed Blackbird was a real treat for Steve and me to find in Kansas. I had seen one or two during our trip out west last September, but not in the numbers we were to experience this spring at Quivira.

Their habitat preferences, habits and behaviors seemed to me to be quite similar to the more familiar to the easterner – Red-winged Blackbird. Most will not agree, but I found the song of this species to be preferable to the Red-winged.

We found a couple flocks that were surprisingly large. Containing a goodly number of Brown-headed Cowbirds, we watched these flocks roll across the wetlands as the clouds rolled with the winds across the big skies of Kansas.

Thanks for looking.

OZB
email: handsomeozarkbillyboy@gmail.com

Birds of Quivira – American Pelican

birds, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, wildlife

For Faeriembassy…

OZB
email: handsomeozarkbillyboy@gmail.com

Birds of Puerto Rico – Grey Kingbird

birds, Puerto Rico - 2015, wildlife

The Grey Kingbird is found at lower elevations throughout the Caribbean as well as coastal Florida. Typical Kingbird behavior, these guys fear nothing and take charge of whatever territory they call their own. I found these birds at most places I visited on the island, but the ones around the hotel were so bold, I tended to watch my back lest they use that hooked beak on me…

Thanks for your visit.

OZB
email: handsomeozarkbillyboy@gmail.com

The Flies

Backyard Gardens, wildlife

The beetles (order Coleoptera) are famous for being the most diverse group of animals on the planet. The flies, however, are not too far behind and many people are surprised to hear how many forms and places flies can be found. I have been able to find and photograph a few of these forms in my own backyard and will share them here. I photographed this carrion fly (Calliphoridae) hanging out on my rosinweed.

The Soldier

Backyard Gardens, macro, wildlife

Most soldier beetles are true opportunists when it comes to tucker. While not being the most efficient pollinators, these beetles can be found around almost any flowers from mid to late summer where they feed on nectar, pollen and small insects like aphids and ants. This one was photographed on my common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca).

Thanks for stopping by.

OZB
email: handsomeozarkbillyboy@gmail.com

Prothonotary Warbler

birds, wildlife

Way back in April Steve and I visited Larue Road, AKA “Snake Road”, to visit the swamps of western Shawnee National Forest. We came up mostly short on snakes and found way to many naked apes on this particular Saturday, but we were pretty certain to find a good feathered reptile show, and we were not disappointed.

The Prothonotary Warbler is a staple of southern swamps and this area sure has its share. We were pleasantly surprised to find a number of these birds foraging along the road, without a care about what we were up to. This allowed for some very nice looks and photographic opportunities.

The image above shows how these guys (and most warblers) go about making a living. They know better than any entomologist that the best opportunities for finding caterpillars and spiders is to look under leaves and inside the folds and crevices of new leaves and flowers.

We didn’t find a nest cavity of one of these monks during this visit, but they were undoubtedly tending nests and potentially caring for eggs. If only this area were not a three hour drive!

Lastly, at one end of the road we were greeted by a gang of Coots feasting on Coon’s Tail.

Thanks for the visit.

OZB
email: handsomeozarkbillyboy@gmail.com

Virginia Rail

birds, wildlife

Many thanks to Connie and Jo Alwood who turned me on to this Virginia Rail they were watching this spring at BK Leach Conservation Area. The midday light was poor for photography, but the bird was cooperative as it hunted among the cattails. A couple of weeks later Sarah and I made a visit to BK Leach and found even more great rail habitat. We were able to watch three more Virginia Rails and of course I left the camera at home…

Please have a look at Jo Alwood’s YouTube Channel. I find it to be a treasure of Missouri wildlife documentary that ranks up there with the likes of Charles and Elizabeth Schwartz and Marty Stouffer.

Thanks for stopping by.

OZB
handsomeozarkbillyboy@gmail.com

From the Backyard – Tiny Tim

Backyard Gardens, macro, wildlife

I named this guy “Tiny Tim” due to the fact that he lost one of his main jumping legs long before his final instar. Poor fellow.

OZB
email: handsomeozarkbillyboy@gmail.com

Birds of Quivira – Snowy Plover

birds, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, wildlife

One has to love a plover. These birds are often the only obvious sign of life in some pretty rough places. Adorable little fluff balls, Snowy Plovers can be found on salt flats and beaches on the pacific and gulf coasts as well as deep into the Caribbean. There are also populations that nest inland, such as the ones we encountered in central Kansas. I was quite fortunate to find these birds on salt flats in Kansas as well as Puerto Rico within a month apart… 🙂

Steve and I encountered somewhere in the neighborhood of 3-5 active nests during our early May visit to Quivira. Unfortunately, no chicks decided to hatch while we were there. It was difficult to leave without seeing the little chicks.

Most populations of Snowy Plover are doing well, relative to other Plover species. This inland nesting population is the only population that does any real migrating, coastal populations typically stick to one area of coast.

The little guy above is hiking through some of the salt tolerant vegetation that dominate these salt flat habitats.

Steve and I were tickled by the ability of these birds to live and work in constant 30-40 mph winds. Facing into the wind, the bird on its nest pictured above documents just that. We noted that when the parents left the nest, the eggs were placed such that they did not budge in the wind, although I am sure they lose heat quickly in such circumstances. Another one of my favorites… 😉

Thanks for your visit.

OZB
email: handsomeozarkbillyboy@gmail.com

Birds of Puerto Rico – Brown Pelican

bill duncan, birds, Puerto Rico - 2015

Talk about the place to eat. I had a great time watching these birds preening and carrying on over the mangrove patches at a fantastic Mediterranean style restaurant named Santorini Ocean Lounge Restaurant. Parts Greek, Spanish and Puerto Rican, seafood is the reason to dine here. Add the views of the Caribbean Sea, potential for birds, English menus and servers and craft beer, and there is no reason to eat anywhere else in the area near the Holiday Inn in Ponce.

Less social than the American White Pelican, the Brown Pelican usually hunts alone and frequently dives for its food. The American White is considered accidental as far south as Puerto Rico, but the Brown is quite common across southern shorelines. This bird kept eyeing my seafood paella.

Thanks for visiting.

OZB
email: handsomeozarkbillyboy@gmail.com