Harris's Sparrow

Lots of variety in regards to sparrows at Bradford farms recently. I headed out to the 'North Brush Pile' to locate and id both Harris's Sparrow and (Gambels) White crowned Sparrow. Both are lifers for me. Enjoy.

Harris's Sparrow (female)

                                    Belted Kingfisher

                                     Belted Kingfisher

Red-winged Blackbird (f)

Today {July 13, 2012} was a memorial outing at Eagle Bluffs CA. It was a year ago that my "papa" passed away due to colon cancer. Although it was rather hot, I didn't mind the heat because numerous Red-winged blackbirds; egrets; herons; and Belted Kingfishers kept me company.

Caspian and Wilson's Phalarope fanfare

                                      Caspian Tern

                                           Great Egret

Lesser Yellowlegs

After the quite lengthy rain in the morning, I took a chance on what looked like a 3-5 hour dry spell to Eagle Bluffs CA in Missouri. What an array of birds. I saw good numbers of American Avocet; Great Egret; Wilson's Phalarope; Northern Rough-winged swallow and Yellow warblers....[many lifers for me today; THANK YOU LORD!]

Pectoral Delights

                              American White Pelican

                                 Pectoral Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpipers

Greater Yellow-legs

Pectoral Sandpipers were so much fun and quite amazement to me. Very tight flying in their small group, like a ball suspended from the ground-traveling with supersonic speed. They did manage to put up with my camera intrusions...Other highlights were 3-Bonaparte Gulls and approx 15 Spotted Sandpipers with Northern Shovelers in the possibly thousands.

Pelicans dropping from the sky

It was a rather boisterous day at Eagle Bluffs. Thank the Lord for the marble blue skies and warm sunshine. The raptors sure had a field day in  the sky riding the thermals. One of the biggest thrills was seeing about 150+ pelicans soaring with no care in the world.  I had so hoped to see the 3-6 Sandhill cranes BUT TO NO AVAIL. I guess my timing was a little off. Still, it was a good day to get out and praise the Lord.

                             American White Pelican                                      

                                 Green winged Teal

Red Tailed Hawk (juv)

American Coot

Canvasback

Northern Goshawk (juv)

Northern Shoveler

Bald Eagle

It was such a fantastic wintery sunshiny day with my wife at Eagle Bluffs CA. I love this place with all its diversity in watery habitats. Avain life beckoned at every turn (either on foot or car). Jesus certainly spoke to our hearts about the wonders of His Creatorship through the calls, songs, colors and personalities of the birds.