South East Kansas Eagle Days

Last Saturday we were lucky enough to attend Eagle Days over in St. Paul Kansas.
The Southeast Kansas Audubon Society of Parsons sponsored “Bald Eagle Days Celebration” in St. Paul, KS. It began with the Director of Pittsburg State University's "Nature Reach", who gave a 45 minute presentation with a live Harris's Hawk, and a Barred Owl along with some facts and ID tips on the Bald Eagle and other birds of prey. I suppose there was twenty five folks or so there, all ages and the young lady who gave the presentation did an excellent job.

After the presentation the group drove to the nearby Neosho Wildlife Area with hopes of seeing some Bald Eagles and other birds. We got to see several immature eagles, as well as a pair flying and creating a dance as they soared. They would soar, turn and appear to lock talons for a brief second. I had heard of this behaviour but had never seen it. A cold front moved in early in the afternoon and we all headed in different directions, I will definitely be back next year.

Short tale on a chair

My wife painted this chair. Tomorrow we are taking several of her pieces to a new gallery in Fort Scott Kansas. I thought Id take a few pictures of it before we left. I knew if I placed a small object on it Tippy the cat would appear and check things out. She did.

Reflection

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Crawford County

Grove Gardens

Last Saturday my wife and I traveled down to Grove Oklahoma. Grove is on Grand Lake. We always stop in the Lendonwood Gardens. It is a non profit organization supported by volunteers and donations. The gardens are 3 acres shaded by tall oaks maintained by a group of master gardeners from the area. Its free (they do suggest a $5.oo donation) and fantastic. According to the information packet there is the largest collection of Rhododendrons in the southwest, 35 varieties of dogwoods, 500 varieties of daylillies, 75 varieties of Japanese maples and lots of false cypress varieties. The paths wind through the acres making it seem much bigger. In spring, there are blooms everywhere, in early summer daylillies. The garden theme is primarily in the Oriental style, with many Japanese influences including a wonderful pavilion.
There is a koi pond, maples and way too many conifers to remember. This time of year of course there is nothing in bloom but buds can be found everywhere. This years ice storm didn't have the effect it did north of here on plants and trees.
Its a very peaceful place, whenever we are in Grove I always say to my wife 'lets go', it doesn't matter if its 90 degrees or 20 degrees. My wife always says "Oh I don't know, do we have the time? we have have things to get done here". But five minutes after we arrive at the gardens she always says "you know I'm glad we came".

Neosho Sunday Morning

Great Blue Heron
Neosho Wildlife Refuge
Neosho County

This morning was in the sixties here in SE KS. I decided to wander out to the Neosho Wildlife Refuge and hike a bit. There are almost 30,000 waterfowl still here at the refuge near St. Paul according to the area wildlife manager. I was able to see at least one mature bald eagle, and several varieties of ducks; mallards, shovelers and pintails in particular. This refuge is a very peaceful place, somewhat windy this morning. Click on the photo to see this heron a little better as well as some mallards enjoying the morning. I watched mallards gliding on the wind sometimes seeming to get caught in it and stall. According to the area manager the waterfowl here are staying longer than usual. The up and down weather conditions have kept it from freezing over, once it freezes tight they leave. Twice the amount of water than last here and a wetter growing season will keep them here unless it gets really cold in feburary.

Thursday Photo

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Crawford County

New Years Bison

Bison
Crawford County