Serene Scenery Sunday

Hello, everyone.  It's me, Cammie!  Mom has done a tiny bit of birding this week, and we thought stepping back from the hustle and bustle and wearing of Santa hats associated with the Christmas holidays and looking at birdies might help everyone find their inner serenity!  Ready?

Remember the other day when we told you we saw some Redhead Ducks at the Kansas Ocean?  There were two, hanging out with a small flock of Canada Geese!  Here's one of them:

Redhead Duck and Canada Goose!

Mom thought it was a Ring-Necked Duck at first - the females can be tough to ID!  There weren't any males around, so it was a hard call.  In fact, someone in one of Mom's bird groups was the one to tell her they are Redheads!  Here's a look at the other one:

Redhead Duck

See the white mottling in her head?  That totally threw Mom off.

We've had some Cedar Waxwings visiting the neighborhood!  Here are two in one of our Redbud Trees!

Cedar Waxwings!

The one on the left is a molting immature Cedar Waxwing -- just a baby!

Here's an adult:

Mom is really happy with how that one came out!

This Robin was busy hopping around under the trees:

American Robin - Maggie likes to stalk these, just for the record.

Mom also went out to Tuttle Creek State Park real fast with Dad one afternoon.  On their way into the park, Mom saw this hawk, perched high atop a cedar tree:

Red Tailed Hawk

Mom often hears Kingfishers and sees them fly by.  Unfortunately, that's mostly what she gets -- glimpses.  They aren't among the most cooperative birds in the world, apparently.  Anyway, she saw one fly by - then was able to see where she landed!  Mom shot from all the way across Willow Lake, but here's a look:

Female Belted Kingfisher

Isn't she pretty?  Mom was mighty happy!  And serene.  Speaking of which ...

...is anyone else feeling it?

Maggie (upside down) and me, feeling very serene!

I hope you feel as serene as we do!  Happy Sunday!

Cammie!