My son invited me to join him yesterday at one of my favorite places, Hagerman Wildlife Refuge near Denison. Robert lives in Denison and has the privilege of visiting the preserve at any time. If I lived that close I’m afraid I would be more than just a “regular” visitor. Do they ask you to leave if you are there too much, or just sign you up as an official volunteer? Anyway, we had a great time and there were lots of birds to see- far more than I was actually able to photograph. Light conditions and the restrictions of my lens determined what I took. But the experience of seeing some of these creatures was enough of a thrill even without the proof!
Robert and I discussed the constantly changing population of the preserve. I feel sorry for visitors who go to the preserve only once or twice and never return. Each day, each month, each season brings a variety of local and migratory birds to the fields and water. If you have only been once, especially if you had a “less than exciting” experience, I urge you to return for another visit. We visited a couple of times this summer and were disappointed by the dry conditions and the lack of birds. And then yesterday- massive flocks! Later in the winter the snow geese will return.
We also had a funny encounter with a butterfly. It flew into the cab of the truck and stayed on the visor for quite some time. When Robert attempted to make it fly away it chose instead to land on his finger!
Of course when I returned to the house there were wild things waiting for me! Apparently there was a heated discussion about whose turn it was to bathe in the birdbath! There were five bluebirds and a few sparrows trying to cool off, but one bossy bird thought everyone else should go away and he made his intentions quite clear- squawking and flapping his wings and intimidating any other bird that came near. He scared off the others and then enjoyed himself for a few minutes before sitting on the fence to dry.
So…that’s where the wild things were yesterday- out in the sunshine enjoying the first weekend of fall!
(New photo albums on the left. Enjoy!)
Comments