As the sun starts to touch the western horizon, there is a shift change over the prairies and wetlands. For a short while, harriers or Marsh Hawks, hunt for the last meal of the day. While Short-Eared Owls, gear up for the night. These species intermingle some, but surprisingly they get along pretty well. Of … Read more
It would be hard to argue that any state has changed, in terms of its ecology and environment, any more than Iowa has in the last 150 years or so. The land was once dominated by native prairies, marshes, and wetlands. Today much of Iowa has been drained, cleared, and cut under by the plow. … Read more
Over the years, I’ve had a few occasions when eagles hone in on one particular tree, branch, or snag…and for whatever reason, it’s just one big hot spot. It never sits empty for long and in this particular image two birds converge on the same log almost simultaneously. They didn’t crab or put up much … Read more
I’ve had some fun watching Blue Jays in recent days. They do love their peanuts. If it’s small enough they’ll swallow shell and all if they think they can get it down the hatch. Not all of them go down smoothly. In that case they’ll fly off with it and break it apart in some … Read more
“The American Indian is of the soil, whether it be the region of forests, plains, pueblos, or mesas. He fits into the landscape, for the hand that fashioned the continent also fashioned the man for his surroundings. He once grew as naturally as the wild sunflowers, he belongs just as the buffalo belonged….” ~ Luther … Read more
For the grandest entrance, it’s said you want to be the last to arrive for a big party. I can’t say that’s worked for me, but I know a few birds who could probably write a book on the subject…this eagle being one of them.