Killdeer

[rtbaum]

After nearly a month of wet and cool weather, the sun has finally emerged. It is time to reap the benefits of all that rain. I drove up to Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge to see what is up and about. I wish I could say that the fields were teaming with birds, but it seems that the bulk of migration has passed. Luckily the birds that did get in range were accommodating and the flowers are abundant.



This Killdeer was a gift, she was literally sitting on the nest in the middle of the parking area. I didn't even have to leave my car



Penstemon




First Monarch of the season, feeding on Hoary Puccoon, Lupine in background



Ant enjoying pollen from a prairie rose



A bit of a severe crop of a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak



I have trying to capture a good image of Yellow Warbler, they are always flitting around in dense foliage



I am quite pleased with this photo of Sandhill Crane



I have obviously been spending too much time with my 400mm, as I had to delve deep in memory to remember how to stack this shot of a Lupine flower

[NorthernFocus]

Nice set of shots. You captured the essence of the killdeer with that red-ringed eye and striped face. Catching the butterfly with lupine in the BG is awesome. And a very presentable juvie sandhill indeed. I love the contrast of the rust colored feathers and the lush greens. If you've the room in the original a bit of headspace might not be bad.

[dje]

Nice shots Randy. The butterfly one really works well for me. Great mix of colours.

Dave

[terrib]

Randy, I really like the Sandhill Crane shot. I've yet to see one of those.

[jamn4ex]

Nice set Randy. I particularily like the sandhill crane shot . You caught some beautiful color there. I also like the Killdeer shot but I would feel better about it had you told me you stalked it for 45 minutes lol just kidding.

[rtbaum]

... I would feel better about it had you told me you stalked it for 45 minutes lol just kidding.

Stalking is a skill that I must work on, these were mostly taken from the driver's seat. I did rough it though....radio was at a low volume and A/C was off.