Saturday morning my oldest niece invited me to join them to do some bird watching. We live near the Mississippi and this time of year the Bald Eagles are in town looking for a less frozen river. There is also a large flock of Trumpeter Swans visiting our area. We only saw one eagle perched high in the trees above the swans.
There was quite a paparazzi presence...
The birds were too far way for me to get good pictures, until this little group flew right over our heads.
Love this guy squawking in back
The rest of the time the birds were too far to view easily and identify. We went in search of more birds and ended up doing some tree identification instead. My niece is currently in an ornithology (bird study) class, but has also studied dendrology (trees). She has some fun guide books that walk you through the identification process.
It doesn't look like other oak leaves, but apparently this is a species of oak.
This leaf trapped in the ice is the shape I think of when I think of oak leaves.
Saturday afternoon I took our dogs out to my inlaws farm to strech their legs. Seriously, I need that kind of energy!
Don't worry the ice is on a swallow puddle. And even Millie couldn't break through.
Headed home with some super dirty and tired pups. My husband gave Millie a bath and it looked like he was washing her in a mudslide.
Click here for part 2 of January Heat Wave in Pictures - including one of the highlights of the weekend - meeting up with a fellow blogger.
Your photos are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the photos of the swans. It brought me back to my days as a child, when my mother read me the book "Trumpet of the Swan" by E.B. White. Loved that book. :)
Thank you, Shannon! I will have to look that book up. I loved Charlotte's Web.
DeleteLove the photos of the dogs running and playing. Such pure joy!
ReplyDeleteThey always have such a great time together. I wish I had that kind of energy.
DeleteThose are some wonderful pictures of the swans! Love the pic with the back one squaking!
ReplyDeleteThat one cracked me up when I saw it...there is always one in the group :)
DeleteWe've had really warm weather too. Feels like spring. Don't even need a jacket.
ReplyDeleteI am loving it...I have a feeling we are going to pay with some frigid weather.
DeleteI love these pics!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Des!
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