1, 2, skip a few, 99, 100!!!!!

I headed to Holiday Beach today to see what was around, since I didn`t get out to the Hawk Festival this weekend.  During this time of year, there is always an official counter on the tower.  Before climbing up to the tower, I walked around the edge of the trout pond to see what was in Big Creek....lots of GBH's, Great Egrets and Mute Swans.  There were some ducks that were too far off to identify.  The thrill of this walk, however, was the Green Heron (life bird 99) that jumped up into a tree maybe 20' in front of me and was quite the model!

I have lots of pics of this guy....sorry to bore you :)

This picture is actually a different bird (I think) in a different location from the other pics.

I was thrilled with this encounter!!  I then headed up to the Hawk Tower and met a young U of W student that I told about this bird and that he was number 99 on my list.  He then pointed out a Pied-billed Grebe in the marsh, quite a way out, but there was a scope on the tower, so I got a good look at it....bird 100!  Thanks Jeremy!!

Here a couple other shots I got today that I liked...

Great Blue Heron taking off...looks more like jumping for joy :)

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I was hoping this was a Hairy, but I think it is a Downy...

Snake swimming in Big Creek

Sunning Turtle

What a great day!!
PS: Brian, did I beat you to 100? ;)

Howell Conference and Nature Center

My husband and I got to go on vacation, just the two of us, in July.  One of the places we checked out was the Howell Conference and Nature Center.  What a beautiful facility!  We were thoroughly impressed with the grounds and the care of the animals they had.  Here are some of my favourite pictures from our visit....keep in mind the animals are permanently injured and therefore in enclosures.

The Eagles were very talkative :)

Beautiful!

Barn Owl

Barred Owl

Bobcat

Broad-winged Hawk

Great Horned Owl

Harlan`s Hawk

Harrier

A woodpecker peeking out of a tree...not a captive bird :)

Porcupine

Red-tailed Hawks

Short-eared Owl

Snowy Owl

Snowy Owl...being brought inside to the air conditioning :)

Hairy Woodpecker??

I have been trying to attract woodpeckers since the beginning of winter and hadn't seen any until today.  At first I thought this guy was a Downy, but on closer inspection of his outer tail feathers (and in consultation of my Sibley's guide), I think this might be a Hairy!  If so, this is a new life bird!  The bonus, the female was on the suet..but too far for me to get a clear shot....not that these ones are clear either!  I was snapping pictures through my dirty window!