nature – Page 11 – Memos for Me

Photos: Swallowtail Kite

September 7, 2020

A Swallowtail Kite has been spotted flying above Interstate 440 North just outside of Little Rock. I was headed out of town when I heard the news. So, naturally, I had to swing by. I got lucky. Two others had arrived just before me so we all searched together. I was about to leave about 20 minutes later when it finally flew over the road ahead.

I see Mississippi Kites each year – a pair lives in my neighborhood. But this was the first Swallowtail Kite I have ever seen. They are usually found in the southeast along the coastal states, and while they are spotted in Arkansas, it is not as frequent. According to All About Birds, the Swallowtail Kite is called the “coolest bird on the planet.” (I disagree – I would reserve that title for hummingbirds 😁) These birds have a deeply forked tail along with a black and white plumage. They are usually found above swamps where they chase dragonflies, frogs, lizards, snakes and nestling birds. They migrate to South America for the winter.

White Ibis

August 23, 2020

At Two Rivers Park in West Little Rock, there is a swampy section that I enjoy visiting just to see what I will find. In this visit, it was a juvenile White Ibis. White Ibises typically gather in groups in shallow wetlands in southeastern United States. They are not common in Arkansas, although they make a random appearance each year.

Yellow-throated Warbler

August 1, 2020

My aunt and I kayaked up the Little Maumelle River and back today. Highlight of the trip: this Yellow-throated Warbler. Plus, it was just a relaxing trip.

Photo: Orchard Oriole

April 23, 2020

Iceland: Day 1

October 6, 2019

I finally made it to Iceland!! We traveled overnight so I woke up on the plane this morning to a beautiful sunrise.

We arrived around 9 a.m. and, upon leaving the airport, was greeted by a rainbow. We immediately went to the Blue Lagoon where we tried silica face masks while relaxing in the geothermal seawater. We couldn’t check in to our apartment until 3 p.m. so it was a refreshing break!

Super Blood Wolf Moon

January 21, 2019

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

Northern Rough-winged Swallow.062418.BKNWR — Northern Rough-winged swallow

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

Photo: Lincoln’s Sparrow

April 26, 2018

A recent walk in the rain

November 25, 2017

It was more of a sprinkle, but the fall colors were beautiful.

Wapanocca NWR I

July 9, 2013

My aunt has lived in Marion since I was a little girl. My sister and I would stay with her to make cookies at Christmastime and to visit the Memphis Zoo. I have tons of memories of visiting her house, however, none of them include Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge in Turrell.

Wapanocca is about 15 minutes north of her house and, apparently has a long history with my family. My grandmother and dad both visited the refuge from time to time. I was just introduced this year.

Previously the site of the Wapanocca Outing Club (a hunting club), the 5,485-acre refuge was established in 1961 to provide habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl and consists of mainly agricultural land, bottomland hardwood forest, reforested hardwoods, open water and flooded cypress/willow swamp.

My first visit there was with fellow birders. I spent the night with my aunt and slowly made my way to the refuge to meet the others. I knew it was going to be a great trip when I spotted the below coyotes (oddly, my first viewing) just outside of the refuge.