One of the things I missed most during my several decades of city dwelling was the Prairie Slough.
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Prairie sloughs are simply the most peaceful, relaxing and interesting places on earth.
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Black Terns, Chlidonias niger.
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An Upland Sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda
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A family of Northern Shovelers, Anas clypeata
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A Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus podiceps, quietly floating, sorry about the shadows.
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And what prairie slough would be complete without a bunch of Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus, squawking away
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A Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos, hen and chicks
Prairie sloughs are simply the most peaceful, relaxing and interesting places on earth.
Black Terns, Chlidonias niger.
An Upland Sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda
sky watching.
A family of Northern Shovelers, Anas clypeata
A Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus podiceps, quietly floating, sorry about the shadows.
A displaying male Ruddy Duck, Oxyura jamaicensis. These guys remind me of little tug-boats.
And what prairie slough would be complete without a bunch of Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus, squawking away
A perfect afternoon, even with a few mosquito bites.
Really enjoyed these pictures - I happen to be a (current) city dweller, and definitely miss the sloughs!
ReplyDeleteLiked the slough pix K. I thought we were supposed to use the word wetland or marsh to make us think of persevation rather than a muddy water hole that's too shallow to swim in. Kind of reminds me of the comparison that in Russia the Arctic is referred to as Siberia, whereas in Alaska we have to say Arctic National Wild Life Refuge.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nicole.
ReplyDeleteBrian, obviously prairie slough is quite a bit different from the marshes in the Interlakes in Manitoba, for example. The term 'wetlands' includes them all. You know all this and are just trying to yank my chain. The entire Arctic is not Alaska's ANWR, but perhaps to you oil guys, the terminology IS to difficult.
Coming from the BIG CITY of TDot I too sighed a little while viewing these photos. I do miss the sounds of the prairies and the heat of the dry wind on my face. I don't think I will ever give up my downtown living with access to every culture in the world but there will forever be a piece of the prairie in me. h
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