Sunday, April 18, 2010

Sunday Safari

We went to Cooley Lake
for our wetland adventure today.

It is Northeast of our house.
A short 45 minute drive.



We wanted to see the ox bow of the Missouri River.



                                                   We hiked for 3 1/2 hours.
                                       

                                                     Great Egrets, Blue Herons

                                     Blue-winged Teal and Green-winged Teal


                                                                  entertained us.

Wild Flowers are blooming.
Johnnny jump-ups,

 Pepper Grass


and dandelions are early food sources
for the bees and butterflies.

My first Black Swallowtail of the season!
I am so happy to see the butterflies.

The Dragonflies are awake

and mating.

The Craneflies also are mating.

As we hiked we could hear the frogs.

They would jump into the water just as we approached.

It was nice a group stayed near the water edge
for photographs.

When a Beaver swam near
the trail we were thrilled.


This wetland is close enough we can go back often.
I would love to see the water lilies in bloom


and maybe a baby bird or two.

Happy Saunday Safari.

8 comments:

Randy Emmitt said...

Sherry,
Wow on the green-winged Teal photo! Also liked your mated Common Green Darners as well.
We found maybe 20 dragonflies and a few damselflies emerging today, did get photos!

Amy said...

Thank you for taking us along! Love the frogs - their peeps are pure gold. And that beaver, great capture!

Cathy said...

Lol you should have title this post

Sunday Safari = Warning X rated

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry, The wetlands are very beautiful. You are fortunate to have them so close to home.
It is amazing how many different creatures can be seen, when the conditions are right.
Wonderful to see dragonflys.

Beavers are great, lovely capture.
A wildlife group have just released some in North UK. Apparently they lived with us many hundreds of years ago and they want to bring them back. I had not realised they once lived here.

A fabulous safari......

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What great captures. We could never get close enough to the teal around here for photos. They are so skittish. Frogs are difficult to shoot too. It looks like you had a great day out.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love the variety of wildlife that you see at a lake. You got a great photo of the Great Egret. We did see a lot of bees and butterflies at the Biltmore. It is surrounded by wooded areas and not in a city so it is a more natural setting. Hope you can visit one day soon!

Barb said...

I cannot believe all the wildlife you saw and much of it procreating! The frog photos were my favorite - surely they're princes in disguise.

Roses and Lilacs said...

I really enjoyed seeing these photos. The egret and the herons I never see unless I visit one of our wetlands.

Haven't seen a beaver in years.
Marnie