quivira nwr – A Thousand Acres of Silphiums

2022 Kansas Trip – Baird’s Sandpiper

birds, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, wildlife, wildlife photography

A pleasant surprise of this spring trip to Quivira and Cheyenne Bottoms was finally getting nice close looks and some respectable photos of the tundra breeding Baird’s Sandpiper.

2022 Kansas Trip – Semipalmated Sandpiper

birds, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, wildlife, wildlife photography

I can’t believe it’s been more than a year since this trip and I still have quite a few photos to share. Not much time or gumption to post much lately. Here are some photos of one of the more abundant shorebirds we had on this particular visit – the Semipalmated Sandpiper. It was fun and interesting to see so many individuals up close. You can really see variations in individual plumages at this time of year, as I hope this collection shows

2022 Kansas Trip – American Coot

birds, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, wildlife, wildlife photography

2022 Kansas Trip – American Bittern

birds, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, wildlife, wildlife photography

Found near the road at Quivira NWR, this American Bittern cooperated a bit until it slinked back into the grasses.

2022 Kansas Trip – Blue-winged Teal

birds, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, wildlife, wildlife photography

It’s about time I begin posting more from our Kansas trip from last April. The Blue-winged Teal is one species that is easy to find at Quivera NWR and Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. Dave and I had some great light on this evening. We set up low and waited for the Teal and Shovelers to drift by.

Birds of Quivira – Blue-winged Teal

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, wildlife photography

Blue-winged Teal - Quivira NWR, Kansas — Blue-winged Teal – Quivira NWR, Kansas

The Blue-winged Teal is the most common nesting duck at Quivira NWR.

Blue-winged Teal - 6A1A8856 — Blue-winged Teal – Quivira NWR, Kansas

Blue-winged Teal - 6A1A8844 — Blue-winged Teal – Quivira NWR, Kansas

Return to the Kingdom of Quivira

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, wildlife

I have previously discussed and shared a number of our photos from previous trips to Quivira NWR. Steve and I recently returned from a short trip to central Kansas and I wanted to share a quick photo. Last year we had sure looks and photos of Hudsonian Godwits. This year one of the highlights of the trip was finding a group of 23 Marbled Godwits.

We were a bit earlier this year than last and this combined with a longer, cooler spring, bird species diversity and overall numbers were a tad lower. Constant abusing winds made the cool temperatures nearly unbearable to sustain for long, especially with two dudes who dressed for spring. But, we just worked a little harder and made the best use of good light, higher temps and calmer winds when we could find them. Another unforgettable trip.

Birds of Quivira – Final Thoughts

birds, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, wildlife

Today I am presenting the final images that I plan on sharing from the trip that Steve and I made to Quivira NWR way back this past May.

These Hudsonian Godwits were a pleasure to watch. See below for a shot of them in rest.

Surprisingly, we seemed to have more Yellow-headed Blackbirds than Red-winged, but we did have plenty of Red-winged to watch as well.

No trip to the grasslands is complete without a Quail…

We watched this female/juvenile Yellow Warbler take a bath in one of the creeks that run through the reserve.

What a collection of birds, photos and memories these few days in the Kingdom of Quivira provided. We can’t wait to visit again.

-OZB

Birds of Quivira – Belted Kingfisher

birds, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, wildlife

While at Quivira, Steve and I happened upon one of the most patient, cooperative wild birds I have ever come across, this male Belted Kingfisher. It stayed perched, except when taking off to grab a prey item, as we slowly crept closer in the car.