Oh - Mrs.BrownDirt

When last we visited with Mrs. BrownDirt, she was at a lodge, enjoying herself on vacation. That same vacation she had a few other adventures. Let's check in and see what she was up to on her vacation to Plain, WA.

In the last post we watched the Sandhill Cranes in hay fields, and then they lined up and started walking - look where they went.

They started across the road . . .

Follow the leader . . .

Very neighborly . . .

They decided to pay a visit to the farmer who so graciously cut his hay so they could find something yummy to eat. We didn't follow them into the farmer's yard.

Sandhill Cranes in Wisconsin

We just got back from Wisconsin, where we had a nice visit with Don's cousins and their families in Waukesha, and went to Northern Wisconsin for Don's 50th class reunion.

The first day there, on the way to breakfast with cousin Bob, we spotted a Sandhill Crane in a small park along the Fox River, right in town. Everyone assured us that the cranes were everywhere, but just in case, I had to stop and get some pictures. This was the first Sandhill Crane that I have seen up close - such excitement.

Then when we were in Northern Wisconsin we saw a lot more Sandhill Cranes. Mostly they were in fields of hay that had been recently cut - looking for food. They would sometimes be close, and sometimes far, but with my 140x zoom on my camera I got some great shots. It was so exciting to listen to them and watch as they walked about, finding tasty tidbits in the hay. Those birds can move fast, with those long legs. I often had to focus the camera ahead of them to catch them as they moved forward.





In the nature preserve we saw a big flock of the Sandhill Cranes in hay fields. We counted over 45 in the flock - but were only close enough to get a picture of these.

This crane seems to be eating something off the plants - berries I suppose.

This is the only picture I got of them flying - their wingspan can reach up to 6.9 feet.

Their beaks are so big they look like swords. I was told that they are vicious and will attack if you get too close - we stayed a good distance away.

Wait until you see what these cranes do next!

Woodpecker Alert!

Sitting at my desk the other day I looked up - and here was this find fellow.  Don was in the living room so he ran for my camera (it is usually in my pocket, but not this time) and I got about 25 shots before he flew off.  He was about 15 feet from where I was sitting.  He was eating from the suet feeder that is attached to the end of the grandsons' swingset.  I just couldn't believe my eyes.  I've seen about four of these Pileated Woodpeckers in my life - and never this close.

 

It was an amazing experience - I don't think I took a breathe all the time I was taking the pictures.

Linking to Madge at Weekly Top Shot.

Our deck last summer - waiting for summer this year!

 

 Our deck last summer - looking forward to many warm days this summer!  Our son-in-law Jay built this deck for us - with help from his son Jahn-Zyel and the rest of the family.  Aren't families grand!!!??!!!

 

The white petunias were glorious last summer - this year I have planted trailing nasturtiums in the planter boxes on the deck railing.

Amazing!

On the way home last night we stopped by the ponds near our house to see what was going on with the ducks and Canada Geese. We were surprised to see the muted colors on this goose, we hadn't seen her before. She is a leucistic goose (there's a good word to look up in your dictionaries).

She was very patient and let me get lots of photos . . .

Though uncommon, these are surprisingly, not rare . . .

I like the contrast between her and the regular Canada Goose.

Such striking feather colors . . .

The purple reflection in the water is from a house across the pond . . .

A hawk was flying over and she was looking to see if it was a danger to her . . .

No danger - but her friends, the ducks, certainly dove for cover . . .

The blue bill and feet were astounding!

Have you ever seen one of these - or another unusual goose?