Saturday, April 25, 2020

Pretty Pickerel Weed and Musical Meadowlarks!


Say that 10 times in a row real fast! hahaha!

But even though we can't get out as much as we want, we drive out to the Preserve a couple of times a week to take a hike and take photos. 


It's such a beautiful time of year....


and the weather has been fabulous!


The Pickerel Weed is in full bloom now.


It grows in the wet marsh and has spread all across the preserve.


Right along the trail, we spotted an Eastern Meadowlark.


It was perched on the top of a weed and stayed there for the 'photo shoot'.


And then finally it took a look right at me....


and said, do you think you have enough photos now?


Another Meadowlark flew by and they went off together and lived happily ever after! lol


I hope you have a place to experience nature or a nice view from your windows. It's been hard staying in so much....I know! How are you doing?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.



38 comments:

SImple and Serene Living said...

I am living vicariously through your nature walks. I'm so happy that you are still able to get out and enjoy them. I'm afraid my walks around my parking lot are not quite as exciting. I do love the sounds of the birds in the morning when I wake up though. xo Laura

Tom said...

...these are bright spots for my day, thanks.

Vee said...

Hanging in... Those meadowlarks are beautiful. Such nice poses for you. I never knew what pickeral weed was! I do believe we have that stuff here as well.

NanaDiana said...

I can't believe what fantastic pictures you get, Diane. That 'weed' is really pretty in big swaths like that. Hope it is not considered an invasive (bad) plant. Great bird shots!!! Stay Safe! xo Diana

Jeanie said...

That meadowlark is a gem!

Linda said...

great close up shots of the meadowlark

Lea said...

Great photos!
Wonderful, beautiful Meadowlark!
I am so thankful that we live in a rural area with not a neighbor house in sight! We can walk around on our own acreage that includes trees and a small stream. And we have got in the car and drove around sometimes to get a different view. We have masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer to use when we need to go somewhere (grocery store, pharmacy, etc.)
Have a great weekend!

Arlene G said...

Well that is a pretty weed. And how many birds will pose for you?:)

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Diane
Looks like a great day for a walk. The Pickerel weed has a beautiful bloom. The Meadowlark is a gorgeous bird, You are lucky to see them so close. Awesome series of photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, stay safe! Enjoy your day, happy weekend. PS, thanks for leaving me a comment.

Ella said...

You took very nice pictures ...
I don't know that bird, but it is very beautiful!
We also have very nice weather, but now the garden is too dry!
Enjoy your weekend!
Stay Safe!

Sandi Magle said...

I heard a meadow lark last week, though I haven't seen one for years. I keep watching the feeder hoping he/she will visit. Our changing environment has eliminated close meadows...sadly. Wild grasses are few, and more marsh plants around ditches that building thinks is preserving the environment. We have been here for 36 years, and the changes are phenomenal. No more bull frogs/meadow larks/orioles...even fewer raccoons and possums. I haven't seen a deer near our home now for 10 years...This is why we take a daily ride through the northern fields and a forest preserve, and why enjoy your walks so much. Such is the price of suburban sprawl. Sandi

Bill said...

The meadowlark is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend!

RedPat said...

Love the pics of the Meadowlark! I'm in the middle of a big city so it is hard to get out to nature except for a couple of nearby parks and ravines but the gov't doesn't really want us wandering around too much right now.

Powell River Books said...

I love hearing Meadowlarks. It reminds me of good times in my childhood. - Margy

happyone said...

Glad you can still get to take your walks.
The meadowlark pictures are fantastic.

Jean said...

I've not seen a meadowlark in a long time.Such a pretty bird! Pretty flowers as well.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

What a lovely walk. I adore meadowlarks and we rarely see them in this part of Washington. Eastern Washington has flocks of them and on a trip over there we would drive slowly down the country roads and listen to the Meadowlarks sing. As we passed one and its song would fade away, another two or three would take its place and we were never without their sweet songs. And what a grand plant to have spreading out in the park. Have a great day and stay safe my dear friend.

Terri D said...

Wouldn't it be great if we really knew what the birds (all animals) were thinking?! We say often we wish we could just spend five minutes in the mind of our cats. We would probably be sorely disappointed! LOL Beautiful photos!!

Anu said...

Hello. Great photos. Meadowlark is beautiful bird. Take care!

BeachGypsy said...

That purple flower is A WEED!!??--wow, that is so pretty for a weed! Love all the pictures, I love your pictures of paths and trails, you always take us somewhere so neat. Great bird pictures, and yes, I do believe he was posing just for you! Oh, and I can't say that phrase ten times real fast...........girlfriend, I can't even SAY BIRD ten times real fast!! ha ha ha ha LOL Happy Sunday!

Nancy Chan said...

Pretty weeds and beautiful bird which is willing to pose for your camera.

Phil Slade said...

Sometimes those birds just stay there and pose for ages. And then other times they are gone in a flash of flight. Nice work Diane.

Anni said...

I do so love meadowlarks! Such a great series of photos today!

Have a terrific week ahead. Stay safe & healthy and thank you for linking up.

handmade by amalia said...

We've all gained a new appreciation for just being outside, in nature.
Amalia
xo

David M. Gascoigne, said...

The song of a meadowlark is about as joyful as it gets. They are in full voice here and soon will be nesting. Stay well.

Betty J. Crow said...

I love seeing the wildflowers in bloom and these are beautiful. Nice shots of the meadowlark! Love their bright colors!

Brian King said...

Beautiful country! Really nice photos of the Meadowlark!

HWIT BLOGG said...

What a great post and some lovely pictures!!
Take care...
Titti

Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening said...

Thank you for sharing your walks and wildlife encountered. The photos of the Meadowlark are stunning and he even stayed and posed for you! Keep enjoying the beautiful outdoors.

carol l mckenna said...

Beautiful meadow lark photos ~ love how he/she posed for you and then had a companion come by ~ Wonderful photos of nature and a delightful walk with you ~

Be Well,
A Shutter Bug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Edna B said...

The plant and the bird are beautiful! How wonderful that you can get out to take these beautiful photos to share with us. Enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Oh such a beautiful Meadowlark! I love to hear them sing. I haven't seen one in so many years because so much development has taken over their natural habitat. So wonderful that you have a place where they can live and sing and thrive! And that pickerel weed is beautiful! I haven't seen much of that, or if I did I didn't know what it was. Thank you for sharing it with us. I love interesting and colorful wildflowers!

Debbie said...

wow...the meadowlark is gorgeous, a really bright, cheerful bird!! i did not realize the yellow was so bright on this bird, your pictures are fabulous!!

the pickerel weed is so pretty, it is hard to believe it is a weed!! we are under the stay at home order but we are allowed to walk or ride bikes in our own neighborhood. we rode the bikes saturday, but it rained today. we also have a nice deck with comfortable chairs looking out on the river. no complainants here!!! i hope you had a nice weekend!!!

NatureFootstep said...

I´m glad to see you can still go outdoors. We really need that.
Your Eastern Meadowlark is a very colorful bird. Love to see it. :)

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Thanks for making me smile with your photos of the "hog waller". Fun!

Lowcarb team member said...

What a lovely colourful bird the Eastern Meadowlark is.

All the best Jan

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh, that Eastern Meadowlark is a beauty! She's so yellow and pretty. She looks like a young one. I love the photo of her looking right at you. The field of Pickerel Weed must have been a sight, and its purple color is lovely. It's always a pleasure to see all the special things on your hikes, Diane. : )

~Sheri

Becki said...

All of your photography is lovely, but MY GOODNESS! - your photos of the Meadowlark are stunning.