On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
Good Morning All,
Have a wonderful day, and enjoy the pictures!
Today, pictures from valued commenter Albatrossity.
One of the best birdwatching and bird photography sites in the country, Quivira NWR, is just about three hours from me. That’s far enough that I don’t get there as often as I like, but close enough so that I have made quite a few trips. Here are some sights you might see there
Taken on 2017-11-01 00:00:00
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in central KS
One of the other magical things about Quivira is the fall and spring appearance of one of the rarest birds on the planet, the Whooping Crane. This pic is from 2017 on a day when there were 24 Whooping Cranes on the refuge.
Taken on 2018-10-23 00:00:00
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in central KS
Grasslands have fall colors too, Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is one of the most colorful. Large expanses of this native grass lend a lot of color to the fall scenery at Quivira.
Taken on 2018-10-23 00:00:00
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in central KS
This soaring Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is an adult of the western subspecies (B. j. calurus). Birds like this do not spend the summer in the area, but are common migrants in the fall, spending the winter in Kansas before heading back north or west for the breeding season.
Taken on 2018-10-23 00:00:00
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in central KS
Later in the season the duck and goose populations at Quivira are substantial, but right now there are only a few. Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) is abundant here in the fall and early winter. This drake is molting from the drab eclipse plumage into the spiffy nuptial plumage that he will carry all winter. But he still looks pretty goofy…
Taken on 2018-10-23 00:00:00
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in central KS
I’ve found that first-year hawks, like this young Red-tailed Hawk, will often allow close approach. They have not yet learned to be wary of humans. In a few weeks or months they will have learned that lesson, hopefully in a non-lethal manner (too many people still shoot at hawks). This youngster was more intent on watching the grasses for prey items than he was on paying attention to me.
Thank you so much Albatrossity, do send us more when you can.
Travel safely everybody, and do share some stories in the comments, even if you’re joining the conversation late. Many folks confide that they go back and read old threads, one reason these are available on the Quick Links menu.
One again, to submit pictures: Use the Form or Send an Email
Raven
Wonderful!
OzarkHillbilly
Bird pics from Albatrossity, a good way to start the week.
Quinerly
Stunning. Thanks for posting.
arrieve
Gorgeous as always, Albatrossity. That young hawk is beautiful!
Cermet
Nice pictures and good framing.
JPL
@arrieve: That’s my favorite also. Albatrossity, your bird photos are beautiful.
Albatrossity
Thanks, all. If you ever get a chance to go to Quivira, don’t pass it up!
I’d also like to alert juicers to the availability of (another) calendar. A while back there was talk here of making a calendar of bird photos for BJ, similar to the pet pics calendar that has been a fixture here for years. The logistics of that seemed a bit daunting. However, for the first time this year I am making a calendar for the holiday sale at our local Art Center, proceeds of which go back to the Arts Center. I took that calendar to the LuLu self-publishing site and made it available there. Proceeds will go to LuLu and to me, but I will repurpose the money via the various ActBLue links here, which I have been using all during the election season (and some of those candidates actually won!).
It’s a collection of images of birds from the Flint Hills of Kansas, where I live. It would make a unique gift for you or a loved one. You can preview the images or order the calendar here – http://www.lulu.com/shop/david-rintoul/birds-of-the-flint-hills-2019/calendar/product-23851004.html And although the money won’t go to a pet shelter, it will still go to a good cause or several.
Thanks again!
Cheryl from Maryland
Beautiful images. Thank you. Red Tailed Hawks are another wild creature adapting to humans. I live about 1 mile from a Metro stop in Maryland, and a large group of hawks lives there. They like the road kill from the interstate.
Mel
@Cheryl from Maryland: We have several urban hawks in our area as well, flourishing just outside the center of the city.
They are such majestic creatures!
Schlemazel
Beautiful pictures! Love the red tail, they are a very common sight here on the tundra. They have taken to using the light poles along the freeways as spotting posts. The wide, open grass of the freeway buffer provides good hunting for rabbits, voles and birds
Wag
Excellent photos. Thanks for sharing. I especially like the photo of the soaring cranes.
evap
Fantastic photos. This made my day, thanks for posting.
Mike S
Great pictures! I love the Whooping Cranes. I need to come see them there. I haven’t seen any since I visited Aransas NWR in TX over 30 years ago.
otmar
Fascinating pictures. Thanks.
debbie
Thanks! The cranes are amazing!
susanna
Soaring cranes, lifting wings are good for the spirit. The hawk is downright claiming his rights as a majestic. Awesome.
Thank you.
JCJ
Albatrossity – in case you are ever looking for areas to practice your wizardry in Wisconsin there are a few places to consider. One is the International Crane Foundation near Baraboo, another is Horicon Marsh, and yet another is Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. Also in the winter some snowy owls can be found in various locations.
HinTN
The hawk in flight … How did you catch that incredible shot? Also, echoing: GREAT FRAMING. Thanks for sharing.