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

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Showing posts with label Birds-Ducks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birds-Ducks. Show all posts

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.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Down By The Riverside

 Chena River, Fairbanks, Alaska
April 28, 2013 






Wednesday, March 13, 2013

At the River

Yesterday was a sunny afternoon, so I stopped by the Chena River near downtown.  This section of the river is downriver from the power plant which discharges warm water back into the river, giving us open water along this stretch of the river all winter long.  Everywhere else the river ice is still thick and won't go out until sometime in April.  The ducks you see in the photos are among those who elected to spend the winter here--either very stupid or very smart to conserve all that energy by not flying south.  They manage to survive the winter because a gentleman in town dumps grain at the river's edge every day for them.  He waits until it's too late for them to begin migrating south before he begins feeding.  I'm sure the ducks will be as happy to see the snow melt as I will!





*****
I'm linking up with Tricia's Watery Wednesday II.

Sunday, September 9, 2012