After my hike at Panola Mountain on Saturday, I was the only one from our hike who went on the bird walk at Alexander Lake! But you knew I would, didn't you?? (In defense of the other hikers on this day, many of them came from some distance away and some had other commitments that could not be changed at the last minute. Me, I had TONS of housework that needed doing, but hey, it wasn't going anywhere, was it?)
There were a total of five us on the bird walk including our guide, Phil. (The other folks didn't know about the first hike, but they expressed doubt that they could have done it. ! They have no idea how easy it is!) The most wonderful thing, one of the guys, Jack, had brought a gigantic scope on a tripod to see birds! We were able to get to some wetlands that they have on the Power of Flight area at Panola Mountain. It is an open meadow where they have worked for years to get it back into a natural state. (This is same spot where I did the wildflower planting and grass seed collecting this past September.) Phil said that we must have heard and seen at least 30 species. Not bad for two o'clock in the afternoon!
Two birds that I have never seen before were at the wetlands...a blue winged teal duck and a semipalmated sandpiper, both so lovely that I said that I wished that could do a painting of them! Sorry I could not get a photo of the birds for you but we saw butterflies too! I found a video for you. Most of these photos were taken at the Power of Flight area!
And Richard took this photo the next day at Arabia Mountain! They are Sunnybells!
You take such beautiful pictures, Kay, and go to the most interesting places. I am so glad you went on the bird walk. Looks like you and four other lucky souls did that! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteYes! And we were lucky that we had that great scope to see the birds, they were some distance from us, but since I could see them so clearly, it was very exciting for me!
DeleteWhen in your last post you asked us to guess who went on the bird walk, I expected the answer to be nearly all of the group. I knew it was going to be you, but didn't think you'd be the only one. But of course people have lots to do, and not always can plans be adapted spontaneously.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures, and of course you know that I love the sunnybells - for their name and their colour :-)
How wonderful that you got to see species of birds you never saw before!
It was a nice group of folks, I am sure they would have gone on that bird walk if they could have! Wait, I just had a thought, they knew that I said that I was going....HA! Maybe they all had enough of me! The sunnybells and the blue sky photo just before it, I knew you would like!
DeleteI loved your comment -"Me, I had TONS of housework that needed doing, but hey, it wasn't going anywhere, was it?"
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you made it to both walks and saw some new species.
You would have loved both walks! And those birds! Oh, so wonderful seeing those birds through the powerful lens!
DeleteSo happy to see your comment here, John! I thought of you on that first walk, I saw lots of beech trees, American ones! xx
I'm glad you took advantage of that hike. Housework always waits and never goes away. I love the pictures, especially the dogwood. It's always one of the first to bloom here.
ReplyDeleteI love the dogwoods too! So lacy and beautiful! Hiking is much better than housework any day! (Although you and I both know it has to be done! Housework that is!)
DeleteWhat a beautiful way to enjoy Spring. I am in awe of the seasons in the South. Come July, we will have experienced a years worth! :)
ReplyDeleteOne of the funniest things that I saw on my blog...someone typed in "Does it get hot in Georgia"...Oh dear, the answer is YES!!
DeleteSpring and Autumn....those are the seasons for me!
Of course, the housework isn't going anywhere! It's always waiting to spring on you! So i'm glad you took the time to do the second guided tour, and congratulations on seeing all the birds!
ReplyDeleteWaiting to SPRING on you, you crack me up! Wish all my blogging buddies could hike with me, wouldn't that be fun!
DeleteAlthough it's not spring here...I can feel it in the air when I read your posts. :)
ReplyDelete"I can feel it in the air", I like the sound of that! I love the way you write!
DeleteKay, The dogwood blossom is so pretty. Love your nature walks. xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susie! Please come along on my walks with me anytime, you are always very welcome. xx
DeleteLove all your photos in all of your posts, Kay. Beautiful flowers and butterflies.
ReplyDeleteOf course, you have lots of flowers and butterflies in Hawaii! Hope to get there one day! :-)
DeleteLovely stuff!
ReplyDeleteOf course, I only give you beauty on my blog!
DeleteNice video. We get many of the same species here but others on the video are completely new to me. It's amazing how such flimsy creatures can migrate across continents and wide seas in some cases as our painted ladies fly from Africa to Scotland every summer and I know some varieties fly the length of the USA to hibernate in Mexico during the winter. That's like a thin paper napkin blowing from coast to coast without getting damaged or ripped.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bob! And if you get the chance, look at the photos that my husband took in early October 2012...one magical Saturday, the Monarch butterflies went over Arabia Mountain as we were there...it must have been hundreds of them! And they would stop at the Yellow Daisies! "Like a thin paper napkin blowing"...yes, it is truly an amazing feat and one that more people should know and appreciate!
DeleteI loved the video - so many beautiful butterflies and I'd be so excited to see them in real life. x
ReplyDeleteNot everyone get excited over birds and butterflies, I was happy to be with like-minded people!
DeleteSuch a fun and lovely day to be in nature! Spring has definitely come to your area....we're hoping to see some here today. We still have no leaves on our trees or buds blooming...hoping atleast by May! Thanks for letting me enjoy your season!
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, this Spring was actually fairly late for us! No matter, Spring is always very welcome which is something I don't have to tell you!
DeleteYes! Enjoy the Georgia Spring! If you ever get here to visit your family, I hope you will let me know, would love to walk up Stone Mountain with you! xx
Hi Kay!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time. Hehe. Trying out to blog again. Anyway, would've loved seeing the bird photos!
Hey Denise!
DeleteHow are you? So very nice to see your comment here! I am sorry I don't have any bird photos for you, they were just too far away for a photo!
I remember you told me that you felt a bit afraid of birds, glad that you got over it!
I would pick the hike over housework, too! Being in all that beauty of flowers and butterflies, of spring, is too important to pass up! You chose the better part!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kristi! Such a wonderful day with that perfect weather! I wish the same for you too! :-)
DeleteThat's a very lovely video along with all your beautiful photos, Kay. So many amazing butterflies. I have the worst time getting photos of birds. They rarely pose for me.
ReplyDelete