Monday, July 16, 2018

Sad Face :(

Boy, do I hate busting out this graphic every year...


Once again, these triple-digit temperatures are kickin' my butt! Every year I forget how hot summer is here in the valley, and every year it returns with a vengeance. It's simply too hot to go out birding unless we drive 3-plus hours to somewhere cooler. Because I'm penny-pinching at the moment, that's just not going to happen. (Speaking of which, you can always head over to my website, buy some books, and help fill my gas tank!)

Anywho, putting shameless self-promotion aside, the good news is that there are over 600 posts of birds here to scroll through and remind me of happier times when the air isn't sweltering and the heat never-ending. Gosh, I love looking back at those cloudy, almost-rainy days where everything is green and the birds are plentiful.

Wherever you are, I hope that either the climate is mild and naturally comfortable or you have a trusty air conditioner!

Here's to happy thoughts about autumn and crisp breezes and hot cocoa and all that good stuff,
Rachelle


Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Swallowtail Butterflies

During our trip to the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, we saw quite a few Swallowtail Butterflies hanging around the visitor's center...
I'll admit, I had to look up what species these are because I'm far from a butterfly expert. When I learn all the birds in North America without having to look them up in my field guide, THEN I'll take a stab at learning butterfly names!

Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
 These puppies don't land for long, so we were scrambling to take photos of their pretty wings...
Swallowtail Butterfly

Have a wonderful day!


Monday, July 9, 2018

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge - Part 9

As you might remember from last year, one of the highlights of our Big Year was seeing a Ruddy Duck perform his courtship display. Well, somehow we were fortunate enough to see it again this year at the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge!
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge





Sunday, July 8, 2018

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge - Part 8



The sides of the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge auto tour were freshly mowed and the grass clippings drifted out into the water, creating a raft-like area for this White-faced Ibis to stand on, making it appear that it is walking on water...
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge









On tomorrow's post, we encounter a Ruddy Duck performing his courtship display...


Saturday, July 7, 2018

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge - Part 7

We took waaay too many photos while we were at the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge to fit them all into one or two posts! Here is the seventh installment, complete with some cute little mallard ducklings...



Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Stay tuned tomorrow for an Ibis that walks on water...

Friday, July 6, 2018

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge - Part 6

When we visited the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge, all of the cormorants we saw seemed to be clustered at the entrance of the auto tour. These ones were sitting high in the sky...










Thursday, July 5, 2018

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge - Part 5

Here are a few more of the ducks and grebes (and cute little babies) we saw on the auto tour at the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge...
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge


western grebe

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge


Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Tomorrow, I've got some sky-high cormorants for you...