The Bird d'Pot

Upland Sandpiper

When I posted about this bird last Wednesday, I thought it was taking a break while migrating further north, but this morning I saw 2 of them enjoying the brown ants in our driveway and a 3rd landed a little farther down the drive. I hope this means they will stay.

While hanging out on the porch enjoying a nice day before the temperature gauge plummeted, I saw a mockingbird chasing a crow. They landed in the top of a brush pile. I didn't realize there were 2 mockingbirds until I uploaded the pictures.

Then the crow took off.

And one mockingbird followed.

Leaving the last little mockingbird all by himself.

Linking to The Bird D-Pot

The Barn Collective

I have posted pics of this barn before, but this year it is even more dilapidated than before. I fear for the horses around it. I have seen them standing under the shelter area to the left of the pic. I hope when it falls it doesn't take a horse with it.

Linking to The Barn Collective

Saturday Critters

The blue heron pond, so named for the blue heron often seen there, was alive with activity yesterday albeit at different times during the day. During my morning drive, instead of a blue heron, this great egret decided to stop by and temp me. Sadly, he was at the farthest point, so had to zoom in for a sad shot. He flew away soon after. 

On my return trip, the egret was gone and the blue heron was nowhere in sight, but this fine turtle was about to slide back into the water. Which he did shortly after I got this pic of his back side.

On the return trip, no egret, no blue heron, and no turtle could be seen, so I drove on. I had hubs in the passenger seat and he yelled, "Stop! Back up!" I did. He pointed to the log the turtle vacated earlier. Curled up in the sun was this lovely snake. I took several shots hoping he would turn his head a different way so I could see the shape of his head, but he never did and I wasn't about to wade out there to poke him with a stick. So, I think he is merely a water snake and not a cottonmouth. Still, I was happy this pic was taken from the safety of the truck.

Linking to Saturday Critters

The Weekend Roundup

Weekend Roundup

1. Starts with N
2. Favorite
3. Night

Nap.

A favorite. Nearly night.

Night.

And finally, Neglected

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Thankful Thursday

What am I thankful for today? I'm thankful all the time for numerous things, but right up there at the top of the list would be  friends and family. But today I chose spring. It is my all time favorite season. LOVE spring. These pics were taken a couple of weeks ago. Before the blooms morphed into beautiful spring green colors. 

This pic was taken yesterday during one of my back road wanderings.

Linking to Thankful Thursday

Wild Bird Wednesday

Yesterday was a beautiful day, albeit windy. As I often do while cleaning the kitchen, I scanned the hay field surrounding us looking for a different bird of some type of critter. I was about to give up when I saw movement in the grass mere yards from the kitchen window. Of course, I grabbed my camera. At first I thought it was a roadrunner, but it was a lighter color and didn't have the telltale feathers sticking up on its head. Plus it had a yellow beak. I'm sure it would have flown if I tried going outside, so I snapped away through the window.

When I first saw him, all I could see was the head and neck. Fortunately, he walked into a patch of shorter grass so I could see more of his body. 

He looked like a shore bird to me, but southeastern Oklahoma is far from any shore. So, I searched the app on my phone and the National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America. I believe this is an Upland Sandpiper. If I am correct, they do not nest in this area, but do migrate through here. I learned Upland Sandpipers prefer open country with tall grasses to coastal habitat, unlike other species of Sandpipers.

Photos taken in Southeastern Oklahoma.

I would appreciate any help. Am I correctly identifying this bird?

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday

Easter Birds

As I mentioned in my previous post, we had a lot of rain last week. When I was finally able to get out, I grabbed my camera and took off. This guy was enjoying an armadillo. A dead on the road armadillo, of course. He flew away, just prior to impact with my bumper, and waited for me to leave perched on this concrete post beside the road.

Later the fog rolled in and I saw these guys out my kitchen window. They sure are creepy, but perform a much needed service.

This happy little bluebird was enjoying a bath in a mud puddle. The following shots are only a few of the massive amount I took. 

 Once the bath was over, the drying began.

All photos were taken in Southeastern Oklahoma.

Happy Easter!

Linking to The Bird D-Pot

This Week in Critters

After 3 days of heavy rain, the sun finally came out. I hung a pot of wave petunias and planted 3 butterfly bushes along the side of the porch. Gus watched while I dug in the mud. I guess it was his job to guard the perimeter. 

Once the work was done, Gus wanted to take a ride in the truck, so we took off down the road. We have new neighbors and they have critters. So far I've seen chickens, a rooster, goats, a paint horse, and this cute little donkey. Gus likes to ride with his head out the window, so he was immediately on guard when this little guy ran toward us, treating us to his very loud bray. Gus barked back.

If you haven't heard a donkey, check out this YouTube video HERE.

This is one of the two goats now living down the road. So cute!

The blue heron pond didn't have a blue heron, but it did have a turtle sitting on a log. As a matter of fact every pond I passed had turtles sunning themselves after the rain. 

Fortunately, I remembered to bring carrots so we could stop and feed the horses. Bo was the first one at the fence. He loves carrots.

It seemed to be a day for runaway critters. At first I thought this was a feral hog, but as I got closer I could see he belonged inside the fence. He chased me when I drove off. Guess he was lost. 

A few miles and a different road later, the road was blocked by these cuties. Fortunately, they let me pass without incident.

Last evening, I had the door open to let the cool breeze in. Gus likes the door open so he can run in and out at will. He was outside on the porch when I saw him hop up and start barking toward the front pond. He then ran to the door, stared at me, barked at me to come on, and then ran back outside. Of course, I followed. He always comes to get me when he sees a good critter. I have him trained well. This is what I saw.

My photography assistant barked which had them looking up to see what the ruckus was. He always gets them to pose, or run away. Often it is run away. :)

All photos were taken in Southeastern Oklahoma.

Those are my critters for this week. Good critter hunting to all. Camera hunting, that is. :)

Linking to Saturday Critters

Wild Bird Wednesday

Monday, while checking all the usual ponds, I was happy to find this Great Egret. He posed for a while...

...and then made his way to the far side.

And then the rain came. This bedraggled Cardinal came out for a snack between raindrops.

I don't think this Meadowlark likes the rain. He looks a little sad.

Hopefully, after today, there will be blue skies again. Stay dry!

All of these photos were taken in southeastern Oklahoma.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday

Bird d'Pot

I'm happy to report another bird has found its way to our feeders. According to Merlin Bird ID, this is a Carolina Chickadee. 

I have seen several Cardinals around, but they are not good posers. Finally snapped this shot...

...and then tried for a second. Oh well, hopefully, I will have better luck next try.

This happy little Guinea Fowl waited patiently for me to drive by so he could cross the road.

Killdeer

Harris's Sparrow

Linking to The Bird D-Pot

Thelma and Louise

Friends BE and CE bought these ladies, with number 37 and 38 tags in their ears, back in December. A day or two later, number 38 went missing. She was gone for several days before a neighboring rancher found her in with his herd. 

Upon 38's return, CE changed their names from 37 and 38 to Thelma and Louise. Louise was the runner. She is the farthest cow in this shot. Since her adventure, she seems to have calmed down.

They were enjoying our 80 degree day.

Callie pup was trying Louise's patience. Brave pup or really dumb pup, I can't decide. Fortunately Callie took off before Louise got to her feet.

Linking to Saturday Critters

Wild Bird Wednesday

Greater White-fronted goose (domestic).

Great Blue Heron.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday