Saturday, January 19, 2019

The Eastern Meadowlark at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve

I don’t hike HTP from the Pruitt trailhead very often but I took a short hike there the other day and saw this Eastern Meadowlark.

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I haven’t seen one in years so that was a thrill.

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There’s a small airport nearby and small planes were flying overhead and I barely caught one with the Meadowlark.

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They were color coordinated! heehee!

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A beautiful plane!

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I always see fly catchers there…

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and Phoebes.

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Don’t you love the background in this photo….all the colors and textures!

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The Sandhill Crane family was there too.

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And happy to pose for photos.

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It’s always a great place to view birds! A rough road in, but well worth it!

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I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

35 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello, congrats on the Meadowlark sighting. I have not seen one in years. They are beautiful. Love the flycatchers and the pretty Sandhill Cranes. Great photos from your walk. Thank you so much for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day and weekend. PS, I appreciate and thank you for your comment on my blog.

Lea said...

Great photos of beautiful birds!
I have never seen Sandhill Cranes, but hope to one day. Enjoyed your photos!

Latane Barton said...

That's such a variety of birds to see at one outing. I hope you get back there whenever you can.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Eastern Meadowlarks used to be common here, but as native grasslands disappear they are becoming rarer. I still have a couple of reliable spots to find them but they are certainly more difficult for the casual birder to come across.

MadSnapper said...

the last sandhill crane has the look of an oystich while running. love the matching plane/bird. I have noticed a lot of these planes lately, more than usual. in the Y pool yesterday morning at 5:30 am, one came really low over the roof to the pool and I thought I hope it isn't falling in the pool with me. same thing happened in the shower a couple of days ago. got out and said did you hear that plane? how low was it. his answer was what plane

Aritha V. said...

So nice to see beautiful birds. I never seen them. So I learn more and I love it.

Warm European hugs.

Arlene G said...

That is a neat plane flying overhead. I did get out for a walk yesterday but all I saw was the Valentine wreaths that are going up on my neighbors doors. They are very cheery!

Ramblings of a Retired Lady said...

Love seeing the birds, and the plane as well! LOL

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Lovely shots-sights

acorn hollow said...

As always wonderful pictures
Cathy

RedPat said...

I haven't seen a Meadowlark in years either!

Out on the prairie said...

meadowlarks don't always perch for a long time. I look for them specific in areas and learn to catch their color in flight.

Out on the prairie said...

In march the Sandhills migrate into NE around Grand Island, very impressive to see thousands and worth the trip

♥ Łucja-Maria ♥ said...

I am delighted with beautiful birds. I never saw, I did not meet the cranes. You've made great photos.
Hugs and greetings from far away Poland:)

Kate said...

I hope the meadowlark sang for you - I love their song. We used to hear them all the time (when it wasn't the dead of winter) but only hear them occasionally now. The bird photos are awesome.

Sandy said...

The Eastern meadowlark is just beautiful. I would be squealing with delight.

happyone said...

The Sandhill Crane sure are neat looking with that bit of red.
So nice to see that bright blue sky. It has been quite a while since it has been around here.

Rose said...

Love the meadowlark...always saw a lot of them at home, and I see them out at the strip pits, but they never stay close enough or still enough for a photograph. When I was young, the ones at home were not all that skittish. Love the Sandhill Cranes, too.

Anonymous said...

Diane, I love the little phoebes! As to your comment, I had already decided to set aside some pretties to mail to my crafty blog friends! I have plenty to share! ♥

Terri D said...

Great captures!! Beautiful.

Kathy said...

Beautiful, beautiful pictures. I'm always so amazed at how many birds you get to see.

BeachGypsy said...

Oh you put your alice in wonderland one back up....it's one of my favorites, so cute! I love all the pictures but especially the Phoebe, so neat! I just noticed your sidebar hiking picture, is that a new one? (or am I just way way behind!?? LOL)--anyway, you are so cute in that picture!

Linda said...

Sweet bird pictures! I don't have any meadowlark photos.

Hootin Anni said...

Wonderful! I LOVE hearing the MEADOWLARK sing. And your photos of the CRANES are beautiful...lots of sunlight which so don't see here. lol

Here's hoping for you a beautiful week ahead, and good birding ...thanking you for letting us experience your blog post linked at I'd Rather B Birdin'.

Phil Slade said...

Both Meadowlarks and Sandhill Cranes are two of my favourite North American birds, despite me only ever seeing one of them, the Sandhill. One of these days maybe....

Nancy's Notes said...

Terrific sightings! I loved each shot! Isn't it wonderful to be out and enjoying such beautiful critters?

Have a blessed Sunday and warm Southern hugs back!

Nancy

Cherdecor said...

I was catching up on all your posts that I have missed this week. I was so glad to see that the airplane decided to color co-ordinate with the Meadowlark! That was an exciting picture. I liked your Phoebe Bird too. Phoebe was my grandmother's name whom I have never met.

We had quite the winter storm yesterday. It had its own personality. I have never met such a storm. The tail end is coming tonight with high winds as it slashes and lizards its way east. It was -3 degrees when I awoke this morning. The house was groaning under the weight of the ice and snow. Another storm coming Tuesday. It has been a warm winter up till now!!!

Lowcarb team member said...

I do like your Alice in Wonderland header/banner, it's so good :)

Lovely post full of great photographs. You see some great birds and critters, thanks so much for sharing them here.

All the best Jan

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Oh gosh, all birds I've not ever seen in person. I'd certainly like to meet a sandhill crane. Great photos, Madame!

Irma said...

These are beautiful pictures of the different birds.
I have never seen these species here in Holland.
Best regards, Irma

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Fabulous birds! What a trail...I’m envious. Both of what you saw and how well you photographed them ...I have trouble with the small birds!

Red Rose Alley said...

What a sweet yellow bird. Such a beauty she is.

~Sheri

Jeanie said...

A fun new banner and beautiful Sandhills. What a wonderful visit!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

it was fun to see all these colorful birds, while I looked outside my window and saw snow and ice and no colors.

Debbie said...

the meadowlark is a beauty...and i know that thrill!!! i don't see fly catchers or phoebes here!!

nice looking cranes, how do they balance on those legs?!?!