Murfee in the Reeds

Murfee at his favorite hangout. The north end of the lake.

Nest Shopping

These two Red Wing Blackbirds are looking for a nesting spot. As soon as the one find it the other will be unwelcome.

Murfee's Playground

This is where our little buddy Murfee spends his time. He picked a scenic spot, didn't he?

Lake Walk

The board walk on an unnamed lake, only because I can't find a map with it's name on it. It makes photography of the waterfowl on this lake easy! This is where our favorite Mallard lives.

Murfee in tow.....

Once we start back to shore, Murfee paces us all the way back. I know little about ducks, and I'm wondering what that curlycue thing is on his rear. I noticed on other Mallards that it appears they all have it. Neat!~

Murfee comes for a visit.....

We are on the board walk on the lake heading home and Murfee is going to follow us to shore. I guess I have a pet duck!

Murfee and the Muds

We've named this drake Mallard Murfee. He's always at this location hanging out. Today we finally hit 50 plus degrees....event the Mud Turtles loved it.

Canada Geese

A couple of Canada Geese contemplate going for a swim.......actually, there's a couple of other geese they've spotted and that other pair is getting a little to close to their territory. Not long after I snapped this there was a whole lota honking going on.

Great Egret

A Great Egret takes to the wing down in the Minnesota River Valley near the old Cedar Avenue bridge.

Resting Chickadee

It's springtime and the bud in front of the Chickadee proves it. It's almost nesting time too!

Mallards

Taking a Sunday afternoon rest.

Mallards

Female and Drake Mallard take their ease on a Sunday afternoon.

Hawking

A Broad Shouldered Hawk is taking care of business from this tree top.

Mysterious Blue Headed Mallard

No one seems to know for sure the reason why we have blue headed Mallards. This drake waddled up into the yard from the pond just so I could take his picture.

Grackle Heaven

This afternoon our backyard was overrun by Red Wing Blackbirds and Common Grackles.  We came home from shopping and found no less than 40 on our deck. It was a huge flock. The had to number 200 plus.

Spring is here!

Female Pheasant

I didn't surprise this female Pheasant, she surprised me. I had no idea she was even there. I was looking for Dark Eyed Juncos picking in the leaves and there she was!

Female Yellow Shafted Northern Flicker

One of my favorite woodpeckers. This Flicker is hunkering down during a storm. Eventually she'll come down to the suet feeder. One sad Sunday, I went out to fill the finch feeder and discovered a female flicker that had died and was laying on the rocks against the house. I don't know what happened except that a Cooper's Hawk was in the area earlier in the day. The hawk could have made an attempt at getting the Flicker only to run the bird into the side of the house to its demise. Sad thing to loose this beautiful bird. Fortunately, we have a mating pair and should see young later this summer.

Thank you Lord for this seed........

Bald Eagle Nest

A female Bald Eagle tending to her young. What a huge nest! The nest is in the Whitewater Wildlife Refuge Management Area in Minnesota.

The Eagle Has Landed

A juvenile Bald Eagle lands on one of his favorite snags. I spent the day at Whitewater Wildlife Refuge Management Area watching the eagles.........and hawks........and swans........and ducks........