Landfill Bird Blog

Sunday, August 15, 2010

0
comments Summer

4:40 PM

Ryan Ankeny

The silence of summer is stunning
Cicadas sing but birds are silent
Sweltering sun sucks flowers dry
Dead seedheads dangle in depression
Summer seasons deadly procession
Wind blows them together like chimes
A meadowlark chatters
Too hot to break into song
Skinks suck up the sun
Stuck in pose, summer's statues
Song Sparrow's speak prose
The only soul's to sing summer's praise
In the distance vultures circle
Barely discernible through the haze
Thunder please save us
Bring the gift of pouring rain
End the deafening dearth of sound
Pound pound the dry brittle ground

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Wednesday, July 7, 2010

2
comments Midland Painted Turtle

10:35 AM

Ryan Ankeny

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Thursday, June 3, 2010

0
comments Door County, WI

5:27 PM

Ryan Ankeny

I had a great time in Door Co, WI this Memorial Day weekend. I didn't get much time to bird but I heard American Redstart, Black-throated Green Warblers, Great Crested Flycatchers, and Red-eyed Vireos everywhere I went. The best sighting was a pair of American White Pelicans flying over the bridge at Sturgeon Bay on the way home. I attempted to identify some wildflowers along the trails but learned pretty quickly that if you stop the mosquitoes will carry you off. Nonetheless here are a few of the best wildflower shots I was able to take.

Yellow Lady Slippers

Dwarf Crested Iris

Wild Columbine

I think by far our favorite town in Door County was Fish Creek. The sunset over Green Bay was beautiful every night. It seemed like the whole town came to the bay to watch the sun go down. There was a stiff round of applause once the show was over. I would definitely go back again!

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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

0
comments Wisconsin Bound

11:45 PM

Ryan Ankeny

I'm on the way to Egg Harbor in Wisconsin with my wife and family for Memorial Day weekend. We are staying in Kenosha tonight and will be in Egg Harbor by tomorrow afternoon. I hope to take some great pics of birds and landscapes, but until then, some shots of the ride there.

We drove past these huge windmills that are right along I-65 in northern Indiana. This was the first time I've ever seen a windmill farm and it was pretty exciting. I felt like I was in some sci-fi futuristic film or something.

Our route also took us straight through Chicago which also was a first with me. Passing through makes me excited for my trip I am taking there in August to Wrigley Field. The next pictures should include some great shots of beautiful Door County in Wisconsin. Stay tuned!

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Wednesday, May 19, 2010

0
comments Grassland Birds cont.

8:23 PM

Ryan Ankeny

More good grasslands birds to report. I was treated to two pairs of Bobolinks today, a life bird for me. I had been hoping to see these guys show up one day and was thrilled to see these beautiful birds for the first time. Adding to the exciting day was two Cliff Swallows coursing low over the ground.