Monday, December 28, 2009

Year End Birding

With 2009 coming to a close, I was not sure if I would get another good bird day in to finish the year, well I did. The last Sunday of the month and year, Kim and I headed out to our favorite spot, The George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. The sun was shining bright and the air was cool and crisp and we were both ready to enjoy our day.

As usual, we were not to be disappointed especially when we saw this beautiful American Bald Eagle sitting high in the tree watching over the land below.



After stopping along the trail in one of the best spots to hand feed the chickadees, we saw three fellow birders staring up a very large pine tree and of course we had to go inquire......low and behold, Kim's long awaited lifer, an owl..but not just any owl. Up on the branch looking down at all of us was the most beautiful Barred Owl. Not a lifer for myself but still left me in awe.




After gawking up the tree with our mouths wide open, we pulled ourselves away and headed down the path to find what has become regular residents, the Sandhill Crane family.






As we observed these graceful long legged creatures, the overwhelming honking of the Snow Geese had us turn our heads to see the flock in flight with a very large bird of prey amongst them ready to hunt his dinner. I only managed a shot of the geese in flight.



Since it was a Sunday and the weather was almost perfect, the amount of people visiting the sanctuary made it a little more difficult to photograph and enjoy the birds as we usually do so we headed off down some of the less beaten paths.  We were then able to stop and enjoy one of the many juvenile American Bald Eagles we had spotted through out the day perched atop the trees. I have to list this as a lifer as I have only ever had the pleasure of seeing mature ones.



We were lucky to get a chance to photograph quite a few Cedar Waxwings this time. We almost always hear them during our visits but they seem to be either very shy or very private but today, they posed.



As the wind picked up and the crowds of people grew, we started to make our way back to the car but not without snapping a few last photos.







As I end this post, I want to share with you one last photo. 2009 started off on a rather tragic note for myself but through it, I met an amazing lady who helped me keep my head on straight and a smile on my face. This lady, has not only become the best birding partner anyone could ask for, she has become my best friend......Here's to us Kim, may we have many, many more months and years of life birds together.......I love you my friend!!!!
Cheers!!!





8 comments:

  1. a girl can have more than one best friend can't she??..love you too my friend!!???..great end to 2009..cant wait for 2010 and more blogs from you!!

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  2. Of course she can..you and I have many years under our belts along with weddings and kids..Mexico trips..shopping trips......you know I love you too!!
    2010 should be an awesome blog year!!

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  3. ok i feel better now!..sweet dreams!!

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  4. Great shots! I was looking over your captures and thinking to myself... I have seen these birds before! So I jumped back into google reader and found them at LWP's! I knew I recognized those birds! LOL

    Glad y'all had a great trip and great year together.

    Craig

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  5. Thank you Glenn..and yes Kim aka LadyWoopecker and I bird together so we ended up with very similar bird shots. We both just purchased the same camera and lenses so we will really match now...hehe

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  6. Cheers to you and kim.
    Here is to a fun 2010 and lots of adventures.

    @steve_happ

    :)

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  7. You guys are having too much fun. I Love to read about your adventures with Kim. You are lucky to have such a good friend that you could share your passion of birds with. Looking forward to reading about many more of your adventures.

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  8. Awesome photos..wow wow..and the end brought tears to my eyes...I also love reading of your birding adventures together!

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