April 11th, 2025

Welcome to yet another Photo Safari Report.  I'm calling this one the WhirlyBird Hike for obvious reasons.  While Joy and I were tramping along,  fairly early in the hike,  I asked Joy if she could smell smoke. She agreed and we searched the sky for signs of smoke and saw nothing, but then our view was a bit obstructed by giant trees.  But it was no surprise when shortly thereafter we both heard and saw this bright red helicopter or whirlybird flying just above the tree tops, back and forth, over and over, in what I assume was a grid pattern,  perhaps searching for the source of the smokey smell?  Or maybe the fire had already been put out but they were making sure that the wind (it was a rather windy day) hadn't carried any embers off to begin another fire anew.  It is, after all, still our dry season and in a forest, it doesn't take much to go from small fire to raging inferno, y'know?  Safety First!

Still between the smokey smell and the very loud helicopter it was awhile before we saw much worth taking pictures of.  It's ok, some hikes have a zillion photos, and others just a few.  This one is the second type which means it'll  be a short post.  Ready, set go!

The first photos were taken as we were entering the Preserve.  Seriously, we had just turned onto the dirt road that leads us to the parking area when Joy glanced off to her left and saw them. Sand Hill Cranes~!~  Wow!  I was cleaning the lens on my camera in preparation so I handed her my camera and she quickly snapped these guys right out the window:

It felt like a great start!  Eventually, we did see quite a nice variety of birds, the best and most unique of which was an indigo bunting. We had just turned on to a side trail when Joy and I both saw him at the same time, but Joy was quicker with her camera than I was.  By the time I had my camera up and focused, he was long gone.  Luckily Joy was kind enough to share her photo with me so here is this little turquoise cutie:

The rest of the birdie gang, most of which you probably recognize is here.  The only kind of different one is a crested something that I cannot remember. Joy told me and I've already forgotten. Ah well, He knows who he is:

Time for some botanicals and a couple of randos

We've come to the end of the WhirlyBird Hike AND the end of the week.  Hope your weekend is a terrific one with loads of fun and laughter!  We'll meet again, right here next week.  No idea what I'll be writing about, but it'll be something.

​Hugs all 'round