Serene Scenery Sunday

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie!  As we just MAY have mentioned, Mom ran off to go birding yesterday before helping us with our blog.  Oh, sure, we had a nice walk first, got breakfast, went out to potty a few times, but what about the blog?!?!  Sometimes I wonder where her priorities are!  Anyway, being the very nice girls that we are, we thought we'd share some of the shots she took with you for Serene Scenery Sunday.  Ready to go birding?

Mom and her birding buddy hit the duck jackpot on one of the little beaver ponds in the park.  Beautiful sunlight (at the right angle) and a pond full of ducks.  Oh, sure, there were lots of bushes and reeds and trees and stuff in the way and the ducks were on the far side of the water, but hey!  It was still a beautiful sight!  Here's a sampling of what they saw:

Mallard Drake

Green-Winged Teal in front,
Gadwall in the grasses behind him

Gadwall out in the open

Mostly Green-Winged Teals
The two at left, front are Ring-Necked Ducks
The two at right, front are Mallards

Two Mallard Drakes and a Mallard Hen in the middle

Mom said, in the photo above, that the Mallard on the left reminded her of "someone" who has a lot to say.  Cammie giggled and they both looked at me.  Hmm.  Anyway - back to the pond!

A better look at the Ring-Necked Ducks

It was quite the happening place!  There hasn't been water there for quite a while, but the beavers have been busy (as they say), and made a nice little pond for everyone!

Mom also saw a lot of tiny birds, most of whom wouldn't hold still or pose where she could get a clear shot of them.  She did manage to get these two:

Dark-Eyed Junco

American Tree Sparrow

What Mom was also very excited about was seeing a lot of raptors - birds of prey.  She didn't see any of the Bald Eagles, but here's what she did see!

Coopers Hawk

Northern Harrier

The Coopers Hawk and the Harrier were in the park having some sort of territorial dispute with a couple of Crows.  This morning, Mom thought it would have been a good idea to shoot some video of that.  A little late on the draw, but hey, maybe next time!

On the way home, Mom pulled off the highway and got one more raptor for the day!

Red-Tailed Hawk

Isn't he beautiful!?!

Have a serene Sunday, everyone!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher