Spirit Lake Area, IA: 6-18-19

 

Eastern Kingbird

Dickcissel

In preparation for fall migration, these birds assemble in larger and larger flocks that can reach into the thousands.  On their wintering grounds, these flocks can number in the millions of birds.

Ring-billed Gulls

 

Swan Lake NWR, MO: 6-19

The BirdMobile at our campsite

Pekin Ducks

The Pekin or White Pekin is an American breed of domestic duck, raised primarily for meat. It is a mallard derived from birds brought to the United States from China in the nineteenth century, and is now bred in many parts of the world.

Raccoon

The "kids"

 

Bird Island, Coffee Pot Bayou: 6-21

Tri-colored Heron

The tricolored heron, formerly known as the Louisiana heron, is a small species of heron native to coastal parts of the Americas; in the Atlantic region, it ranges from the northeastern United States, south along the coast, through the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, to northern South America as far south as Brazil.

Bad hair day

 

Northern Cardinals in our yard

Baby with its dark bill for its first 4 months or so of age

Bath time for the youngstert

Female

Male

 

Virginia: 8-20

 

Puffballs

Young White-tailed Deer

Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly

Buffalo

Butterfly Milkweed

Deck shots: Male Downy Woodpecker

 Foraging for insects in our oak

They feed mainly on insects including beetle larvae, ants and caterpillars

You’ll find Downy Woodpeckers in open woodlands, particularly among deciduous trees, and brushy or weedy edges. They’re also at home in orchards, city parks, backyards and vacant lots.

Males have a small red patch on the back of their heads that is not present on females