Thursday, January 29, 2009

Wetland Day-Great Egrets


I know that large parts of the United States are under frozen temps and lots of ice so I almost feel guilty posting my photos from our hike yesterday. It was very sunny but the wind was brisk and we took advantage of the afternoon to look into a wetland that is about an hour from our home. This wildlife area is home to lots of migratory birds and is on the Pacific Flyway.

There were many kinds of ducks and geese but some other more exciting birds as well. We watched a pair of hawks soaring and diving for a long time and then we came across this beauty of a bird....a Great Egret.


We observed many Great Egrets. This particular bird was posing for the longest time for us and we got a very good look at his beautiful fluffy feathers. (Go ahead, click the photo to get a better look.)

I tried to get a photo of one in flight and this was the best I could do, if you click the photo you will see it much better. They dangle their feet out behind them as they fly and their wings have a wingspan of about 50 inches.


We also enjoyed the wildflowers that were in bloom.....mostly mustard and this white flower that I am not sure about.


My son spotted these huge mushrooms along the road.


It was nice to get out into the sunshine and explore a new area. We were on the lookout for signs of mammals but we didn't see any this time.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom