August 24, 2009

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

Black-necked Stilt

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Snowy Egret

Western Great Egret

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Pied-billed Grebe

My favorite, Snowy Plover Fledgling

White-faced Ibis

White-faced Ibis

female, Yellow-headed Blackbird

American White Pelican

Lesser Yellowlegs

Eastern Kingbird

Dusk at the refuge

We had an exciting, adventurous day at the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. Our oldest son, Will, his wife Morgan, and their kids (6 of our grandchildren) traveled up there. We brought along binoculars, cameras, a picnic lunch, and a curiosity to learn, first hand, about the birds that migrate through Kansas. It has been a very wet summer, so the marshes were lush with plant life and aquatic life, I could see fish jumping out of the water, wildlife and bird life. There was also LOTS of water! When we first got there, we had to watch out not to run over a Red-eared Slider. The kids were thrilled with the turtle. Later my son spotted a huge bullfrog. We saw several White-tailed Deer and a Swift Fox. The refuge had many walking trails, interpretive trails, driving scenic by-ways, camera blinds, and a couple of spotting scopes set-up for people to use. We are looking forward to visiting again later this Fall when many more shorebirds, cranes, ducks, and geese migrate through the refuge.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey mom! Love these especially the baby plover! To cute!

Dawn Fine said...

Oh Cindy..You have some fab pictures here!
What a great day that must have been..and with family too.
Wonderful outing!

troutbirder said...

Wow! That was a neat picnic outing. The shorebirds were fantastic. I especially enjoy them because we have no shores for shorebirds in the only county in the Land Of Ten Thousand lakes WITHOUT A SINGLE LAKE! Thanks for stopping by my little nature blog. Drop by again sometime.

Debbie Miller @HooootOwl said...

I agree the plover fledgling is my favorite also.
I would love to see a yellow headed blackbird too.
Enjoyed your pictures.

woodpecker said...

Loved the pictures. So glad you have found the great enjoyment to be found getting out with nature.
It also makes an extra special event when you can enjoy these outings with your family.
I never cease to marvel at how much pleasure can be gained from such simple natural activities.
Continue to enjoy and share your experiences with us via your blog.