Sand Hill Cranes at Conboy National Wildlife Refuge

Instead of working in my garden, I’ve been going up to Glenwood quite often lately in search of Sand Hill Cranes.  The Conboy National Wildlife Refuge is a wondrous area filled with birds of all kinds.  As we slowly drove by a lovely field of purply blue camas we realized there were a pair of cranes out in the field!

Even with my new 150 – 600 mm lens they were too far away, so we continued through the refuge and found another pair who were closer.

They allowed us to watch them graze, dance and chat at one another.  Sorry to the nice man in the truck who had to squeeze past my car on the narrow gravel road.  In my haste to capture the cranes I completely forgot to close my door after grabbing my camera!

I love sharing my images with you, hoping you’ll fall in love with these beautiful graceful birds too.  I’m still hoping to catch a glimpse of the babies I’m told are in the area.

You can see some of the other birds I’ve been following on my studio blog, Steider Studios and my 365 Photos blog as well as my Facebook page, where I post most often.

I know, I should get back to work in my garden now that all my spring shows are over, but I can garden all summer and the babies are only here right now!!

When I have some time I’m going to add a page here to show you all the beautiful, colorful birds and butterflies that congregate in my garden – flying flowers.

Thanks for stopping by, it’s always a pleasure to see you!

Back Yard Birds for Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day!  Happy me – I had a new bird show up at my feeders today!!  A Black-throated Gray Warbler!!  At least that’s what it seems to be from my Audubon Field Guide.

Not the best photos but he was quick!

After tending my garden all morning I kicked back to photograph some of the birds at my feeders.  The Black-headed Grosbeaks politely wait in line for the Evening Grosbeaks to finish.

I’ve had pair of Red Crossbills at my feeders all week.  Yesterday I saw a second male!

The female Crossbill landed on this birdbath as I was photographing flowers & stayed for a drink even though she knew I was so close.

Hummingbirds have been here awhile and I’m wondering if the one on the right is a baby.

One of my favorites, the American Goldfinch numbers have steadily increased over the years.

I’ve had a couple of exciting birding adventures but haven’t edited all the photos yet.  Monday I went to Conboy Wildlife Refuge in Glenwood and was treated to a pair of Sandhill Cranes mating.  You can see a few photos on my Facebook page album.

Then on Thursday I went to the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge north of Vancouver and saw many Cinnamon Teals and Canadian Geese with a multitude of goslings!  A few of those photos are also in a Facebook album on my page.

 

Not to mention 4 nesting pair of Osprey along the Columbia River that I’ve been watching with a 5th nest being built!

And a team of vultures that watched me photographing the Ospreys!  I managed to catch this one before he took off.

I have one more spring show coming up, the Hood River Rotary Wine and Pear Festival at the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM) on May 17 and 18.

Then I hope to spend more time in my garden among the flowers and flying critters.  And catch up with all my blogging friends!!