What you focus on in this photo is the beautiful melodic Eastern Meadowlark.
He's always a welcome sighting at the Pruitt trailhead of Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.
But what you might notice on closer observation is 100s of black birds in the background.
They are crows! Hundreds of them! They streamed through until I gave up trying to count them.
It's Spring and the birds are on the move. And there are birds around that I don't normally see.
I looked out at this beautiful tree and saw deer browsing. Later 3 more walked across the trail in front of me.
It's probably a good thing I don't get photos of everything I see. I walk slow enough as it is!
They weren't the least bit concerned about me from that distance.
I watched a Swallow-tailed Kite overhead.
And then spotted this American Kestrel.
He's a little ruffled by the wind.
I saw several on this hike but they usually perch too far away for a good photo.
A few more sights along the way and we'll head back to the Jeep!
Oh and here's the 'monster' of the day!
Doesn't this piece of pine bark look a little like a gator?
I hope you are enjoying the birds of Spring where you live!
