A Little Birding during Warbler Season

We have a little birding group that has developed as the warblers have been coming through on their way to Canada.  (Click on the image below to enlarge them and see just the pictures! ;-). )

I have never been particularly good at bird photography because I am unwilling to lug around a tripod, but I still love to post pictures of what I see.  We headed off to a little park along their Mississippi River and were fortunate to see the Cedar Waxwings migrating en masse.

They are lovely birds with the dramatic yellow stripe at their tail bottoms.

I am not sure what some of these birds are, and of course I didn't capture a lot of the ones we saw, but I'll post the ones that might be recognizable.

This is a hairy wood pecker. I know them, because we have them at home!

We watched him looking for dinner.

Here is the intrepid birding team!

Way across the river there was a bald eagle surveying his territory.

I was also fortunate to capture a shot of this yellow-throated warbler.

I have no idea what this one is!

This is not the same bird, but may be the same kind!

This week we went camping at Glacial Lakes Park and got a chance to see a different cast of characters!

We had heard red starts at the on the other trip, but I had been un able to get a picture of any.

We seemed to be camping on this guy's territory so I had many opportunities (but of course I still didn't get a crisp shot!)

There Mississippi is a beautiful river, so no wonder it attracts so much wild life.

Early on our first walk after  setting up our tents we saw this scarlet tanager.

There were also lots of wildflowers in bloom. These white ones are tiny, but so pretty! I guess they are common chickweed (stellaria media).

I don't know what this bird is. Could be a Phoebe or a cat bird, I guess.

I got very excited when I saw this yellow flower, because I thought it was a wallflower, but it turns out it has 5 petals instead of the 4 of the brassica family, so I guess it is an evening primrose.

This region is dominated by gigantic and gorgeous bur oaks. They have fringy acorns, but are best known for the beautiful ridgy patterns in their bark.

Here is a better idea of what the landscape of the area looks like. there are numerous lakes formed by (disappeared) glaciers.

Hunting time!

Somebody found some dinner!

Our campsite was lovely a combination of shade and sun and we were accompanied by the music of the redstarts as we (Not me I was lazy) prepared dinner.

The next morning we had a lovely walk. We used Merlin to identify birds from their song and I was lucky to catch this yellow throat as he took a rest between serenades.

I was overjoyed to capture this little guy - a ruby crowned Kinglet. They are a common bird, but they flit around so furiously that I rarely have a chance to get a good view, let alone a picture of them.

I find the white around the eye quite fetching.

This is a fuzzy shot, but I love the exuberance of it!

I don't have a good view of this songster, but here is another shot.

 

 

 

This yellow warbler also sang to us.

It was nice of him to choose bare branches for a rest.

I believe this is probably a thrush, but I never got to see the head.

Here is another little songster, possibly a red poll, but more likely a chipping sparrow!

I think this one is a red-eyed vireo (and immature one that hasn't developed the red eye yet). We heard its song repeatedly, but couldn't definitively locate one.

This seems like an idyllic image to end with!

The Birders of Koinonia

I was pretty tired when I was uploading photos this weekend, so I thought I would add some thoughts about Koinonia and the birding experience there.



Koinonia is a retreat area founded by the Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. It is an asylum out in the wilds of rural Minnesota between Minneapolis and Saint Cloud. A sanctuary in the woods, it has a wildlife preserve of around 100 acres and is a wonderfully hospitable resting place for those in need of spiritual and emotional nourishment. You can find more information about it here .

(By the way, for anyone interested, my blog entry for last years birding weekend can be found here. and here. ).

In looking back at those blogs, I am amazed at how much farther along Spring was last year. Thank goodness I have a better camera now and can get closer to the birds!!)

I have been to Koinonia several times for writing retreats and have always returned home content and invigorated. The time alone in the peacefulness of nature where one has space to think and return to mindfulness is one of the most fulfilling experiences that I know, but this is only a small part of the experience.

Another important aspect for me has been the people. Last year when I was at the retreat center working on a monstrous report for work, I encountered the Birders of HAUMC. They are a socially concerned, compassionate and caring group of people - and they are also a whole lot of fun.

I quickly deserted work on my report to go out traipsing in the woods with this fascinating, bubbly and extremely welcoming group of people. As I have gotten to know them I have discovered that their concern for the environment, for the homeless in their area and the well being of individuals in general is inspirational.

Here in no particular order are pictures of some of the people I have met at the Birding weekend. I am so sad that some of the people I have spent the most time conversing with were not well represented in my photos. Karen and Barbara, Kelly and Lee, Harlan, Kevin, Bob, Tom, Verda and everyone else (I can not remember everyone's names nor spell them), but you have left such important influences on me. I'm sorry I don't have pictures of everyone (at least not good ones) but here is a hint of a few of the people I got to meet this weekend.



This glowing woman is 93 years old and the author of at least three books including a novel she started in her 80s! What an inspiration - perhaps there is still time for me to finish that novel after all! Check out her novel Phoenix which involves the Chicago Fire of 1871 (The author's name is Vera Wright Aegerter).



Here are Kevin and Bob Janssen. Kevin has been instrumental in setting up the birding weekends and keeping things running smoothly. I only know Bob's name because he is a noted and notable author on the birds of Minnesota. He is one of several experts we have been fortunate enough to have along for the experience.



The meals by the way are amazing and the company exquisite - Tom (another expert birder) and Kelly having a serious discussion about birds? I wonder what he is saying?



Hmmm, maybe not....



Doesn't this look like a determined group of birders? (They ARE serious - it was cold and an ungodly hour in the morning. Okay, I'm sure they feel that it was a very godly hour and that there are no ungodly hours - but it was really, really early (for me anyway!)



Thank you everyone for your kindness, congeniality, inclusiveness and stimulation. Still, I have to end with the birds. These amazing creatures help us get out of our tiny little selves and open to the wonders of what is around us.

Here is one more shot of a white throated sparrow.



This phoebe lives near the retreat center and keeps a close eye on the goings-on.



And this is one of the most amazing little animals I have ever seen. Tiny, full of energy and curiosity. We could all learn a lot from the Ruby Crowned Kinglet:





Bye little friends and big friends - I can't wait to see you again soon.