Straight out of the field guide

The ecstatic upland plover, hovering overhead, poured praises on something perfect: perhaps the eggs, perhaps the shadows, or perhaps the haze of pink phlox that lay on the prairie.” –Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

God I love it when birds do what they’re supposed to… and then pose for pix while at it!

😉

We’d nearly missed this roadside Upland Sandpiper as we chased the tour bus along the prairie trail heading to Chase Lake NWR, but a quick stop and then a very slow progression forward, all the while hoping the bird wouldn’t fly off, let me have my fill of pix hanging out the sunroof of the car like a crazed photographer. I got lots of nice pics, but this one is today’s favorite.

Not a life bird for me, but I couldn’t have asked for any nicer looks at it. Can’t you just imagine it soaring high in the blue skies of a North Dakota spring, its long, drawn out song drifting down over a sunny meadow…

21 thoughts on “Straight out of the field guide”

  1. It doesn’t have to be a life bird to get our attention. I sit and watch some of the most common birds all the time. Corvids really crack me up.

  2. I love it when life birds sit out and pose like that! Upland sandpiper is one I haven’t caught up with.

  3. KGMom: Yeah, nice of it!

    Dave: Hi! Uppies are not at all common here and I was thrilled with such a nice view.

    I wish there were ravens enough here to consider them common.

    Liza: Me, too!

    😉

    Larry: Yeah… same for me. The closest place I know to see them in NJ is Lakehurst Naval Base – remember the Hindenberg?

    Jayne and NCMountainWoman: Thanks!

    John: Now that you’re back in NJ, try Sandy Hook Bird Observatory’s trip in April or May? It’s a PITA going to Lakehurst anymore, but the habitat there is wonderful and pretty unique. Plus they have the best land manager – guy’s really a great naturalist.

    Carolyn: Yeah.. I wonder why that is.

    Good perch for showing off maybe?

    Sekhar: Yeah, thanks.

    It’s not likely to happen again anytime soon.

    😉

    Susan: I wish!

    Sandy: It was really beautiful.

    Cedrorum: Yeah?

    Charlie: Hi and thanks for saying so.

    Kev: Easy enough to fix.

  4. I sure like that picture Laura. I don’t think I saw one of these out in ND (at least I don’t have it checked on my worksheet).

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