Thanksgiving - It's About Tradition

 This is an email from my brother Dean who I credit for being interested in birds and animals...

It may not be Sawyer’s Landing blog worthy but Jonathan and I have gone to the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge the Sunday before Thanksgiving the past 7 years in hopes of spotting a rare migrating Whooping Crane. This year we hiked about a half mile into a dried up marsh to catch a glimpse of the flocks of Sandhill Cranes and we finally spotted a Whooping Crane in amongst a group of Sandhills that were landing by the marsh. It was so bright white it clearly stood out from the dull gray Sandhills. Unfortunately the cattails were so tall and thick we could not observe it after it landed but we have recorded on our bucket list as a Whooping Crane sighting.

We saw migrating swans, white pelicans and avocets and a number of bald eagles but the chance to see a Whooper is why we go every year and we were finally rewarded.

Internet Photo

Congratulations to my nephew Jon!

He is graduating from high school today.  Very proud of him and excited for his future.  He is a big reason why I do this blog.

 

Happy 18th Birthday to my nephew Jon!

Happy Birthday Jon!  I'm very proud of the young man you've become. 

I know you read my blog and you should know you are a main reason I do this.  It gives us a chance to stay connected through similar interests.

I hear you want to study wildlife biology and conservation so here is a picture for you...

Black-footed ferret

 

Black-footed ferret (Click to go to Wikipedia)

 

 

And here are two books I know you've spent many hours reading (like your dad and me)...

 

 

Happy 18th!

 

 

Love,

 

Uncle Al

Mississippi Kites

My brother Dean told me they have a pair of Mississippi Kites nesting in a tree next to their backyard.  They are rare to occasional in Iowa but becoming more common in that part of Kansas.

Here is a picture from the internet...

 

 

Impressive bird.  Here is a picture from my nephew Jon...(thank you for sharing!)

 

 

From Wikipedia...

 

The Mississippi kite is a small bird of prey. Mississippi kites have narrow, pointed wings and are graceful in flight, often appearing to float in the air. It is not uncommon to see several circling in the same area.

Their diet consists mostly of insects which they capture in flight. They eat cicada, grasshoppers, and other crop-damaging insects, making them economically important. They have also been known to eat small vertebrates, including birds, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals.  Their call is a high-pitched squeak, sounding similar to that of a squeaky toy.



What's happening in Salina?

Regular reader, bird advisor and nephew Jon has been telling about a Mourning Dove nest in their front yard that is at eye level.  He told me eggs hatched just before they left for Des Moines (around June 25).  And now the babies are big enough to explore.  He sent me pictures of the nest and the babies in front of the garage.  Here they are and I'm very happy he shared them!