Horned Grebe

The Horned Grebe is one of the most common of the Grebe family especially in the East, found along salt water marshes and thus is considered a salt water bird. However, they are found in the Great Lakes area and can adapt to fresh water. The Horned Grebe has a thin, straight, sharply pointed bill, white neck and forefront, dark back, and keeps it's rump low in the water. The eye is red with a red streak running from the bill to back of the eye. The Horned Grebe is 9.5" long with a wing span of 24". In the summer the male's white plumage turns to a rusty red.

Ruddy Duck

The Ruddy Duck is a member of the "Stiff-Tailed Duck Family". This duck family is characterized by small and stubby ducks, with a short thick neck. The Ruddy Duck is small and chunky, about 11" long, with a long tail that is often held straight up while swimming. Their wings are short and rounded, but they are able to fly fast with rapid wing beats. The male in breeding plumage has a chestnut body (see the one on the far left), black crown, and white cheeks. Females and winter males are dusky brown, with whitish cheeks. The female has a dark stripe across her cheeks. They are commonly found on lakes and ponds in the southern United States. They are usually silent even when in a flock like this one.

A Flock of Wild Turkeys

A flock of Wild Turkeys numbering a least 75 were feeding in this corn field left over from last year. This was on Monday morning, March 31, 2008 and we were on our way into town when we spotted this flock and had to turn around and go back to take some pictures. There are some woods near by so they probably were roosting there overnight and came out into the field to start their day. Turkeys can fly strongly for short distances, but prefer running to escape danger as most hunters have found out. They typically feed on seeds, nuts, acorns, and fruit.

Wild Turkeys

A closer view of the Wild Turkeys. There are three female turkeys in this picture. The head of one can be seen just above the branch on the left. Below the branch is the second one, her head is near the ground and she is in front of the first one. The third turkey is on the right. These female Wild Turkeys are about 36" long and are characterized by "naked" head and neck which are bluish in color. Domestic turkeys are similar in size, but normally heavier due to increased feeding and decreased activity.

Lenten Rose

This Lenten Rose blooms in March and this year had to contend with over a foot of snow. This one blossom made it through the Winter and was here to greet us as Spring arrived.

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of the birds has come - Song of Solomon 2:12.

Snow Drops

Our patch of Snow Drops greets the Spring weather and after a long winter we enjoy their beauty and believe that Spring must be here.

Snow Drops & Rain Drop

After a shower this afternoon the addition of a rain drop adds beauty to the Snow Drop.