Swallows (Hirundo rustica) were all over the fields hunting for insects on the way to and from the Ballymeanoch standing stones south of Kilmartin.
Calamus Outfitters took us out before dawn, really cold, to watch, from converted school bus blinds, the Greater Prairie Chicken mating ritual called booming. Lots of birds plus deer & a coyote.
The males preened constantly and sometimes fought viciously.
Sandhill cranes in flight over the Platte River.
Medium "horde" of sandhill cranes in the Platte River and more on the way.
From Fort Kearney State Recreation Area sandhill cranes with sunset reflecting off their wings.
Sandhill cranes turning as one in the evening sky.
Sandhill cranes leaving a fallow field for their nightly flight to spend the night on the Platte River where they are reasonably safe from predators.
Mute swan pair and their cygnets, River Avon. Fifth laggardly cygnet is with the ducks in the upper right corner of the image.
Black swan on the grounds of Leeds Castle.
There is an abundance of bird life on the grounds of the Castle.
Mute swans and duckling.
Peacock on the grounds of the Castle.
Molting European Robin. Same bird, two images merged together. Cheeky little creature, it landed in front of us and gave us a good looking over before it flew off while we waited for the bus.
Black Headed Gull.
The park supports a wide variety of birds, these are Egyptian Geese.
Mute Swan - So named because overall, they don't make very much noise, especially when comparing them to other swans such as trumpeter swans.
Mute Swan and Eurasian Coot.
This one put on quite a show!
Interesting that mute swans are not native to North America. They were brought to the US from Europe to adorn city parks and large estates and are considered invasive in some areas.
Francie Stoutamire Photography
