Saturday, March 30, 2013

March Morning on the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River

     A quiet morning sunrise awakens the Earth in a beautiful place-- sharing some of the scenery in and near the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River in Barber County from 3-28-13.  A couple of recent blizzards brought some much needed moisture and helped to revive the river and  ponds, giving welcome respite from the extended drought.

Taking some photoshop privileges using filtering options for a beautiful sunrise.

An American Wigeon exclaims its approval of a revived pond.



Scraggly hackberry trees greet the sunrise. (Special effects via photoshop.)
Bison crossing the Salt Fork of the Arkansas.



Sunday, March 3, 2013

Murder at the Birdfeeder


     





     Wasn't me.  I didn't do it!  One of our "pet" Greater Roadrunners, Gerry, seems mighty suspicious as he looms over a dead Western Meadowlark.  Roadrunners will eat small birds and I'm sure in times of harsh weather and stress, even our slightly domesticated roadrunner will look over the offerings at our bird feeders.  This Western Meadowlark had been hanging around for several days, pecking for food in the same, specific location.  Then, one day,  I found it dead.  I did not witness the roadrunner kill it.  This picture was taken the same day I discovered the dead bird but a little while later.  Gerry had come up for a regular feeding of deerburger (look at older blogs for background) and then lingered around the meadowlark carcass.  I waited to see if he was going to eat it or carry off his booty.  He didn't touch it.  So after he left, I inspected the dead bird.  It was emaciated and had hardly no breast muscle.  Also, it did not show any puncture wounds so it was clear that Gerry did not commit this murder.  I surmised this bird simply died of natural causes and most likely starvation was a factor even though overwintering meadowlarks are common here.  So, Gerry is off the hook for this one!