A couple taken of “Dripping Springs” at Creve Coeur Lake this Autumn.
Tag: ozark bill
Bobwhite!
Bobwhite Quail were surprisingly and pleasantly abundant across Dunn and neighboring Pawnee Prairies. We even flushed a covey of chicks along our drive. This guy was kind enough to find a nice perch to pose on.
“Bobwhite Quail”
First Summer Bobolink
While at Dunn we got to see our first ever Bobolink in breeding plumage. What a treat!
“Male Bobolink on Wild White Indigo”
Grasshopper Sparrow
The first bird photographed at Dunn Ranch, this Grasshopper Sparrow was trying his best to dry off following an early morning shower.
“Grasshopper Sparrow”
Ozark Bill Travels West
Going on four months ago, Steve and I made a road trip to the western half of the state to find some birds of the plains, run with bison, and generally harass any other creatures that we might encounter. Our primary destination was Dunn Ranch Prairie, a Nature Conservancy tallgrass prairie habitat, but there were other stops along the way. This looking like a week that winter is first saying its hello, I thought it might be time to remember July.
Our first stop on our journey was Tucker Prairie CA, located near Columbia. This was a small patch of prairie, located within sight of busy Interstate 70. On an isolated Persimmon tree near the parking pull-in we found these guys.
“Four Patient Ones”
Here’s Mom trying her best…
“Is That All You Brought?”
Dad helped out once in a while. Here he brought a dragonfly…
“Are You Sure It’s Dead?”
This is where and how we left them. We knew they were within mere days of fledging. We also knew we were at risk of staying and watching these guys until they did. With our heads full of second thoughts we continued our trip to the north-west, wondering and hoping the young ones the best.
With dutiful mom watching over how could anything go wrong?
“Mom”
See You in the Spring!
An image of a Black and White Warbler taken this past spring. The song-birds have begun moving south now. Things have been so busy, I’ve barely had a chance to go birdwatching to watch them pass through.
“Black and White Warbler”
A Walk Through Blue Spring Natural Area
This past June, Steve and I took a walk through one of the highest quality woodlands our Ozark hills have to offer. The short hike from the head of the spring to the Powder Mill trail-head and back offered an amazing diversity of life. Here are just a few of the things we were able to find and capture on camera.
Nothing can be mentioned about this location without first discussion of the spring itself. The Osage Indians referred to it as “Spring of the Summer Sky”, a most apt description for a spring who’s appearance defines the color blue. And in summer, when the flow is not overly encumbered by the suspension of dissolved limestone from heavy rains, the crystal-clear waters afford a look to the bottom of the spring, some 250 feet below the pool’s surface.
“Blue Spring Run”
The small nooks and crevices carved over the ages into the limestone and dolomite that overlook the spring pool make the perfect shelter for the Eastern Phoebe to make their nests. Most folks have likely seen the nests of this species under overhangs on human-made structures. It has only been within the last year that I have been fortunate enough to observe these nests in their more natural of settings. A perfectly placed snag within the spring’s pool makes for a fine resting place for a young Phoebe that is taking a break from the carrying on that was taking place near these nests. It was also a great place and time for us to take a break and take in everything this spot has to offer.
“Eastern Phoebe on a Snag“
Back on the trail a few minutes later Steve and I were pleased to find this guy. A first for the both of us, this Dung Beetle was moving this “resource” with full conviction. We couldn’t figure out where she was moving it, but she was sure not going to let us get in her way. When gently stopped she would climb to the top of her ball and let it be known that it was claimed.
“King of the Hill“
Here’s a little “motion pan” to give an idea of the speed at which she could move her grocery towards its future larder.
“The Cache”
Our primary goals for this early summer day where to see if we couldn’t find and photograph any or all of three of the more rare warblers that are known to nest in this area. These would be the Swainson’s, Cerulean and Hooded Warbler. Although we did get a few confirmed vocalizations from a Swainson’s, we could not get our eyes on the sneaky guy through all the vegetation. A few quick and loud playbacks did, however, coax 4-5 male Cerulean Warblers to descend from the forest canopy in order to meet the new male who had apparently set up shop amidst their territory cluster.
“Singing Cerulean”
This was a sweeter treat for us than spending time with Willy Wonka (Wilder not Depp) and Heather Graham in a chocolate factory. They seemed totally curious and intrigued as they moved among lower branches, foraging and singing as they went. Did you know this species has suffered more than 70% population decline since the 1960’s? Approximately 500,000 birds are the current population estimates and habitat destruction and fragmentation continue to threaten this species. Check out The Nature Conservancy for more information on this great bird, and consider checking out Cerulean Blues.
“Cerulean with Insect“
Finally, I present a pair of gorgeous Northern Water Snakes that were basking on some exposed rock not to far from shore along the Current River.
“Basking Water Snakes”
They’re Allowing Ozark Bill to Present in an Art Show!?!?
That’s right my friends. I am excited to announce that OZB will be presenting his work (~75 unique prints will be available) at Art at the Shaw Nature Reserve 8th Annual Show & Sale to be held this autumn. I would love to meet and say hello to all of you who have given me support through our relationships via Flickr and A Thousand Acres of Silphiums over the years. Don’t worry, there will be real artists there as well! 😉 So, if you are willing and able to be there, I look forward to meeting you in person! Here are directions to SNR.
I would also like to announce that Ozark Bill is now on Facebook! It is definitely a work in progress, but for now, I am posting what images will be available at the show.
An Evening at Hughes Mountain Natural Area
I’ve discussed Hughes Mountain Natural Area a few times in this blog. There is still so much I have yet to discover and photograph here, that I am always keen to pay a visit. Typically, plants go quickly dormant and animals become hard to find during summer’s dog days. The cooler, wet summer we are had this year provided an extended window of activity for many of the residents of this glade-covered knob. These images were taken during a July evening as Steve and I paid a visit to one of our mutual favorite destinations.
For a while now, I’ve know of the first citizen I’d like to introduce to you. Because I often have troubles slowing down and looking around, I had never actually seen one of these guys until this summer. Of course, they are everywhere you look. I am speaking of the Lichen Grasshopper, a species perfectly adapted at blending in with the lichen-covered exposed rocks on igneous glades such as those found at Hughes Mountain.
As I was destroying my delicate knees and elbows trying to get a shot of these weary grasshoppers I happened across this gal, a mamma Wolf Spider, out for a stroll with the kids. She didn’t seem to mind the paparazzo activity.
The Fame Flower, a member of the succulent tending, Purslane family, is also known as Rock Pink and Flower-of-an-Hour, due to the ephemeral flowers opening late in the afternoon. The flowers of this magnificent little plant are suspended on fine, wispy, leafless stalks (scape) many times longer than the short, succulent leaves. Any small breeze sets these warmly saturated blooms swaying back and forth, bringing difficulty to obtaining a nice photograph. Bravos to Steve for identifying this one!
Finally, I wanted to provide a “habitat shot” that exemplifies where these organisms can be found. Hopefully next time I can show you some of the other kind-hearted citizens of the Ozark Glades, like the Tarantula, the Black Widow and Scorpions.
The Tail Slap
This past May, Steve and I took a hike around the Heron Pond area at Riverlands. To our surprise we found this Beaver swimming around near mid-day. He seemed a bit upset by our presence, although the pond was quite large and we stuck to the levee trails. Every few minutes he would give us a tail slap that was a bit intimidating. Imagine making such a fuss over OZB!
I’m sorry to have been a bit absent on the blog the last few weeks. Life has been a bit busy lately. I am also working diligently (sort of) on a piece of photography news that I hope to reveal on the blog in the next week or two. Stay tuned for the really big news! 😉
A Thousand Acres of Silphiums 