I kept the kitchen faucet dripping last night, but temps didn’t quite go below freezing. I wish I could say the same for the next two nights. :( I think I’ll have both faucets dripping tonight. The wind blasted us out of the north today, so Emma and I waited until the clouds cleared in the afternoon to visit some of the refuge’s moist soil units. So, tonight’s pictures are brought to you thanks to one of the moist soil units in the Skillern Tract.
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Some of these moist soil units are former rice fields. Various units are flooded by the refuge at different times to provide habitat that is attractive to shorebirds that winter on the refuge. You can see that the water isn’t very deep, but it provides an abundant food source for these birds. One of the most abundant species on the refuge is the killdeer. I like that little red ring around their eyes.
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It walks and flits around looking for insects and seeds.
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These birds nest up in the tundra, so they’ve come a long way to enjoy the Texas coastal regions. I guess they’re really snow birds!
I’m going to have to really bundle up for tomorrow’s bird count, but at least it’s not supposed to rain, or snow. I really got a kick out of some of your comments on last night’s post. It’s always good to start the day off with a chuckle. :) I’ll surely be watching for those hummingbirds tomorrow!
Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later, Judy
I'm not sure I could go out in cold windy weather like you do, and I admire your dedication and stamina. It's about all I can do to take Lady for a walk twice a day!
ReplyDeleteLove the pipit, it's on my list to find.
ReplyDeleteIt was so chilly here, I had Varied Thrushes up on my deck pecking at the suet I have for the smaller birds.
nice wet post!..bird are amazing creatures..finding food where ever the supply is!
ReplyDeletewear a hat or scarf over your ears. keep warm.
ReplyDeleteYou never cease to amaze me how brilliantly you capture the beauty of God's creations.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, K
http://seashellsandoveralls.blogspot.com
Stay warm and keep taking those great bird pictures. I seldom know what they are until you tell us, but I sure like seeing the photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being my 1st follower. I love all of your photos, my husband was a photographer and my daughter and I have started a website to showcase his photos. What brand/model camera do you use?
ReplyDeleteI particularly liked the Killdeer reflection photo. That little bird is quite the mirror image of itself.
ReplyDeleteThe "bird lady" does it again...great photos...Make sure Emma has on her mucklucks, scarf and mittens if she is going outside in the cold...Oh, and you too!..Wanta borrow my "Nanook of the North" outfit?? If it works in Illinois, it will work anywhere!!
ReplyDeleteStay warm while you're out there bird counting. Sure do enjoy your pictures and the explanations with them. Keep up the good work, enjoying your blog.
ReplyDeleteJan
I am fairly sure I have seen some of those Pipits at my feeders. Is that possible? I know they have those markings on them, whatever they are. Very nervous birds. I have lots of sparrows too, but I love them all, so no matter.
ReplyDeleteI know we all try to come up with catchy titles for the posts, but Moist Soil Units is a dandy. I ran thru several ideas of what that could be, but I did not come close on this one. Perhaps, I was just letting my imagination run too far a field.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw "moist soil units" my ears perked up. I spent my career mapping soils in the west and my favorite mapping was the Upper Klamath Lake Wildlife Refuge wetland soils. I especially appreciate your stories of the refuge.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you label each one so we learn as we read your blog. I was sure to pack our big thick bird book already in the rig for vacation, even though we aren't leaving for 41 more days.
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Karen and Steve
(Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/