Yesterday, on Mother’s Day, Angela decided that we should go to Reynold’s Landing to do some late afternoon birding along the South Platte River. Leaving the parking lot for the river walk, we encountered an American Robin, calling from the trail-side.
We continued our way south along the woodland trail. We could hear the calls of many birds, but could not see them. While stopping along the trail, I heard some rustling in the undergrowth. There was some movement and a little face appeared. Looking through the camera lens, I found this rabbit munching some grass.
Soon it was time to turn back, but by a different trail. Angela spotted this pair of Mallard’s perched on the tree stump belonging to a fallen tree.
While walking along the riverside, I noticed two pairs of Wood Ducks paddling across the river. We made our way downstream until we reached one pair. These ducks are extremely timid, so we were lucky to see two pairs!
This pair chose to stay close to the far bank, reasonably close to us; the second pair continued to swim away downstream. The male duck has really distinctive markings with a long crest on the back of his head. The female would be really well camouflaged and has a really distinctive eye-ring or eye-patch.
Heading back towards the parking lot, we encountered this pair of Northern Flickers near the top of a tree that was just starting to bud.
Adjacent to the parking lot, another male Flicker was calling from a tree branch.
Located close to the parking lot is a pool where I had spotted a Great Blue Heron during a bike ride a week or so prior. We headed towards the pond. In the distance, we could see the Heron, stationery at the side of the pond. I made my way closer to the bird, making sure that I did not disturb the heron. So I chose to shoot through the bushes along the shore.
I continued to watch and wait. Soon, the heron started stalking some prey in the water.
Caught it. The heron caught a sizeable fish, maybe some 8 inches in length.
The heron proceeded to swallow the fish. Soon here turned around and resumed the waiting game.
Was that the last meal of the day?