Prairie Magic

Snow yesterday and 18 degrees today, it is the middle of April isn't it? The prairie light was magical after sunrise this morning. The rainbow of color rarely happens and is usually in the dead of winter. The challenge is to get the camera position and aperture aligned to show this effect. A beautiful day to be alive.

Crane Count Sunrise

This year we had a calm, clear morning to count cranes. It started with a song sparrow, woodcock, and bittern leading the early morning chorus. Our area had a single pair of cranes that called frequently, reminding us of our real purpose for being out. While walking the perimeter of the assigned area we came across fresh bear tracks and this beautiful sunrise.

Wings of Spring

Most of us think of spring with returning swans and sandhills. More colorful wings are also silently floating around Crex. The overwintering butterflies are now active in the woodland areas. This mourning cloak was feeding on aspen sap earlier in the week.


A couple orange butterflies are also out like this gray comma sunning itself.

Eye to Eye

I have been noticing our cold blood friends recently, perhaps because it's so unusual to see them in March and now in early April. On many days their movement seems dependent on clouds moving through the sunlight. This one didn't have the energy to even move its tongue.

Sandhills preening

 Ever wonder why Sandhills are gray when they leave here in the fall and are rusty brown when they return? 






When Sandhills leave this area in the fall their feathers are gray. As they begin their migration back in the spring their gray feathers slowly change to a rusty brown. They preen themselves with daubs of mud and the mineral content in the mud, such as iron, stains their feathers. This is thought to be their way of camouflaging themselves while nesting.

Kathy J.

Salamanders on the Move

During the last week I have seen tiger salamanders, Blandings turtles, and this guy on the move; a big difference from the foot of snow on the ground a year ago at this time.

Spring Peepers

I'm finally convinced spring has arrived after watching it slowly advance but still anticipating one last snow storm. Hundreds of these guys were calling in a small pond so I decided to find was was making all the noise. Despite the loud, raucous calling notice the size of the frog compared to a catkin.