Our week was off to a good start when we saw this cool couple at church! Stefan and Crystal were friends of our kids in college… and they are just as nice to us now! Good to see them again.
Saturday afternoon a few of us went birding at Wagon Train State Park. A very pretty afternoon, if a bit windy.
We ended up spotting seven species of birds, but none very closely. A New-to-us species was a Hudsonian Godwit. A Wilson’s Snipe wasn’t new to us, but not a common sight either. It was a good time with friends.
Sunday evening the church had a “Father/Daughter” banquet. I got to go with my daughter Becky, and Kevin got to go with my granddaughter Dayna. What fun!
Tuesday morning found us at the Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center. Last time we were here it was FREEZING! So this time I dressed extra warmly, even though it was not as cold as last time. The wind made this feel a bit cold, but it was so nice to be warm in spite of the wind!
There is a sign saying we could look for famous ruts… We haven’t really looked, and haven’t really seen them either.
We did find an Eastern Meadowlark; a new one for us. We have lots of Western Meadowlarks near our home, but hadn’t spotted an Eastern before now. But no picture of it. I could show you a picture of a Western Meadowlark, because they look almost identical… but their song is different.
We saw lots of nice birds, some of which even got their pictures taken! Red-winged Blackbirds were very plentiful.
We saw a few American Goldfinches, but not close enough for decent pictures.
Red-winged Blackbirds like to raise their colored epaulets to look fierce and defend their property:
Cedar Waxwings are beautiful birds, that I never saw as a kid. I always thought they were the most exotic bird!
Below is a Chipping Sparrow:
And a House Finch:
We saw a Muskrat swimming across the pond, right towards two Canada Geese. I figured either the Geese or the Muskrat would change course, but no. The Muskrat swam by, within inches of the Geese, and none of them seemed concerned at all.
The lead Goose seemed to exaggerate his neck movements as they swam… Back and forth, almost comically.
Blue-winged Teal:
Brown-headed Cowbirds are scoundrels- they lay their eggs in another bird’s nest, and let the other bird hatch and raise them. Then the parents go off on vacation… like these two at the Prairie Center.
A pretty little Killdeer:
We could hear Cardinals all through the area, but could never see them. It always amazes me how a bright red bird can sit in a tree with no leaves, and still be invisible. But as we left, we saw this guy, right out in the open. About time!
I am starting a woodcarving club… we meet in our garage, and so far have six members. We have had a lot of fun! Becky used the time to make an adorable egg carving:
We went with the Kids/Grandkids to a Japanese restaurant, to practice ordering it, eating it, and using our Hashi (Chopsticks.) This might be taken as a hint…
Afterwards we headed to a Cold Stone, and I was shown a big outdoor mall that I had no idea was there! More exploration!
Heading back to the car, we saw two rabbits that obviously knew where the mall was, even if I didn’t.
Next weekend, Kevin and I will head to Kansas for a Men’s Retreat. I’m told they have bunks but no bedding. Even though we’ve been living on the road for 6+ years, it’s been in a motorhome, not sleeping outdoors! So I called REI and had them send me a nice big (Not backpackable) sleeping bag. It looks very nice, and seemed to pass my little test.
