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Evening Sky, 10:00 p.m., May 16, 2016

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Showing posts with label Birds-Canada Geese. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birds-Canada Geese. Show all posts

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Creamer's Field Lake

There's been a lot more melting at Creamer's Field over the last several days and the field looks like a lake, although a very shallow one.

There are still some piles of snow, but they are much smaller and very dirty.

Lots more birds are there too.  While we were there this morning an eagle cruised over, making all the Canada Geese take to the air.

What really grabs the attention though are the Trumpeter Swans.  Even with a cloudy day and dipping their heads into the mud they still seem to glow.



I am linking up with Tom at the Barn Collective

and Eileen's Saturday's Critters.


Thursday, April 7, 2016

Migration Time

It's the time of year when the migrating birds start arriving in Fairbanks, most stopping over on their way further north but some staying in the area to nest.  At Creamer's Field on Tuesday there were upwards of 15 or so Trumpeter Swans and at least as many Canada Geese.  I was able to to pick out at least one Northern Pintail.  Of course, there were many Mallards, although many of those had probably overwintered on the Chena River downstream from the power plant where there is open water all winter and feed spread by a few volunteers.  As usual, to begin with they all seem to hang out far back in the field.  That makes it hard to get good photos, at least without ginormous lenses, which I don't have.

Last week the field was plowed in anticipation of the large number of birds that will stop over at Creamer's Field.

We've had unusually warm temps, mostly in the 40s during the day.  Considerable melting has happened this week, creating quite a different scene, especially with the sun shining.

Grain was spread this weekend, and that's all the invitation the birds needed to begin arriving.

Of course, there are other things besides the birds to photograph.  The birch trees and the split rail fences always make for some nice photos.


I'm linking up with Good Fences
at the Run "A" Round Ranch Report.

I will get back to the ice sculptures.  There were some gorgeous Multi Block sculptures that are well worth waiting for.  They may be mostly melted now, but we can enjoy their beauty long after they are gone through the magic of photography.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Creamer's Field Variety

A few shots from the last few days..... 








I'm linking up with Good Fences
at the Run "A" Round Ranch Report.

Friday, April 10, 2015

Trumpeter Swans

More birds have arrived at Creamer's Field, including several more pairs of Trumpeter Swans.  One pair was closer to the fence, although still not as close as I would like.  They were busy preening and refreshing themselves after their long trip.  Kind of reminds me of when Marty and I are on a road trip and stop for the night.....





I am linking up with Eileen's Saturday's Critters.

A Trickle of Birds

The birds have started arriving in Fairbanks!  Creamer's Field is right next to my granddaughter's school, so it's easy to stop by and see what's happening after I pick her up from kindergarten.  We stopped by on Tuesday and saw about a dozen Canada Geese and one Greater White-fronted Goose.  With an overcast day and the geese a ways out in the field it made for uninspiring photos.  Today when we stopped by the sun was shining but the geese were still well out  in the field. 

There were also a couple of pairs of Trumpeter Swans.

The snow is melting nicely and there are some big puddles near the fences.  When more birds arrive we'll be able to be a little closer to the action.



Just for fun I did a little cropping and added a filter to the fence.  There are lots of split rail fences around Creamer's Field and it's the most common style of fence seen around Fairbanks.

I'm linking up with Good Fences at
the Run "A" Round Ranch Report.

From my archives I'm also including another style fence and another bird that I don't expect to see for a few more weeks.
I saw this Robin in June of 2011 at the Georgeson Botanical Garden,
and it is my Index No. 2694 for Gaelyn's Foto Friday Fun.


Saturday, April 4, 2015

Creamer's Field Collection

Today I'm doing something a little different.  I'm showing a variety of photos from my archives, all taken at Creamer's Field.  The connecting factor is they are all my photo index No. 0071.  Every Friday, Gaelyn at Geogypsy Traveler hosts a meme, Foto Friday Fun, featuring a particular photo index number from your archives.  When I searched for 0071, I came up with several from Creamer's Field through the seasons, and choosing just one was just much too difficult, so I decided to post several.  I'm starting with ones that were taken in April, and working my way though the year.

April 16, 2012

April 21, 2009

August 13, 2014

August 28, 2012

September 3, 2011

September 12, 2011

January 28, 2015 

 I'm also sharing with Eileen's Saturday's Critters.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Time To Fly

Last week I was back at the seasonal pond at Creamer's Field.  Ordinarily the pond is full of water during the spring runoff and early summer and at this time of year there would be no pond at all.  However, because our summer rainfall has broken the record for the last 100+ years, there has been water in the pond all summer.  The Canada Geese were making use of the water for a quiet swim.

Then someone gave the signal, and they were off, with much chatter amongst themselves as they went.

I always wonder who is in charge of deciding when they stay and when they go, but I suppose that's one of those mysteries we'll never know.

Between the overhanging branches and the grass in the foreground my camera didn't really want to focus on the geese.

 Finally in the last shot it zeroed in on them.

A little closer look.....


They were off across the field.....

.....and all was quiet at the pond again.