Bald Knob NWR

June 25, 2018
American Golden-Plover.042118.BKNWR
American Golden-Plover

I love Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge. It’s halfway between my house and the Jonesboro/Wynne area so it’s an AWESOME place for me to take a break from interstate driving and have some fun. There’s different birds to see year-round, and I’ve gotten pretty lucky in the past several weeks. I’ve visited a lot more these past few months — especially since I finally purchased a 600mm lens.

The refuge is best known for migrating waterfowl, and I can usually find shorebirds there year-round. So far, my best finds have been an out-of-season American Golden-Plover, a White-faced Ibis and a Yellow-headed blackbird.

blue-gray gnatcatcher.042118.BKNWR
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
american golden plover.061018.BKNWR
American Golden-Plover
yellow-headed blackbird.042118.BKNWR
Yellow-headed Blackbird
nutria.042118.BKNWR
Nutria
Northern Rough-winged Swallow.062418.BKNWR
Northern Rough-winged swallow
dickcissel.062418.bknwr
Dickcissel
Yellow-breasted Chat.062418.BKNWR
Yellow-breasted Chat
eastern towhee.042118.BKNWR
Eastern Towhee
swamp sparrow.042118.BKNWR
Swamp Sparrow
white-faced ibis.042118.BKNWR
White-faced Ibis
great blue heron.062418.bknwr
Great Blue Heron

Birding around

June 11, 2018

 

Sunday’s find: A yellow-billed cuckoo (L) and a barred owl. Sunday marked the first time I’ve ever seen a yellow-billed cuckoo at the Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge.

Let it snow.

January 15, 2018

I hung a “Let it snow” garden flag in my yard this winter because, well, it was cute.

I regret that decision. Why? I tempted the fates. See below:

OK, to be honest, I still love the flag. It’s really cute. I also love snow. It looks pretty as well.

I just don’t like driving in it. So wish me luck in driving to work tomorrow. Hope you all keep safe and warm as well.

Close up

December 26, 2017

This red-tailed hawk hung out at my parents’ house Christmas Day. At one point, it was sitting directly above the road on a power line. My dad had the bright idea of opening his truck’s sunroof so I could get a picture as we drove underneath the hawk. The hawk kind of seemed scandalized by the ordeal but it still remained nearby for the rest of the day.

A kinglet for Grandpa

December 20, 2017

Golden-Crowned Kinglet 02 toned

I recently visited my grandma at the farm in Wynne. And anytime I visit, I have to walk to the pond to see what I can find. This trip’s golden find was a golden-crowned kinglet, which always reminds me of my late grandpa.

A foxy sparrow

December 14, 2017

Fox Sparrow.120017.CBC Craighead

Today, I participated in my first Christmas Bird Count in years. I was even able to bring along my Aunt Cindy and Gigi for the ride. We had the northwest section of Craighead County. My favorite find was this Fox Sparrow, which was in a tree near Bono Lake.

Fall tradition

November 21, 2017

family25*

It has become a fall tradition to travel about 30 minute south of Jonesboro to White Hall (a tiny town six miles south of Harrisburg) to visit Parker Homestead with my niece and Mom. This year, my sister, Dad and the latest addition to the family, my fourth-month-old niece, joined us.

Parker Homestead is a recreated 19th century town with buildings and artifacts from White Hall’s past. The neat part is my Dad’s mother grew up in White Hall (her sister still lives there in their family home) and Parker Homestead actually displays homework of their older brother in a school house on the property. My family searches for my uncle’s work each time we visit.

I may be drawn to the school house but my 3-year-old niece is drawn to the church where an old piano is located. If given the chance, I think she would remain on that piano bench all day.

Here’s some pictures from Parker Homestead: