Solitary Sandpiper

Happy Monday, enjoy your day!

This week I am sharing the Solitary Sandpiper. The Solitary Sandpiper like it's name is usually seen alone, but sometimes small groups may be seen together during migration. They are seen on the edges of muddy ponds, streams and marshes. I found these two Solitary Sandpipers along with a couple of Yellowlegs where a stream goes into our lake. The area is somewhat like a mudflat when the lake is low.

The Solitary Sandpiper is a medium sized shorebird and  has a dark back and white underparts. They wings appear to have little white dots.

They have a white eye-ring and a dark medium sized bill.

As always I thank you for stopping by and as always I appreciate your comments.

My list of memes for today, I hope to see you there. Thanks to both of the host below.

Thanks to Michelle for hosting Nature Notes

Thanks to Stewart for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday

Enjoying My Neighborhood

Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!

Have you ever notice all the variety of life in your neighborhood and nearby habitats? Definition of Biodiversity: the variety of life in the world, or in a particular habitat or ecosystem. 

I live near a lake and forest, in which there is always something to see. If you have a small pond, river or your very own backyard habitat, the ecosystem is amazing. The threats to the ecosystem are many, a few are loss of habitat, over exploitation and the spread of non-native species. 

The first time I saw the Green Heron at our lake. It is great to see such a variety of birds at our lake.

Lesser Yellowlegs, I was confused since this bird's leg colors look like bright orange to me?

A couple of Solitary Sandpipers at our lake.

Below some shorebirds, the Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs and a Solitary Sandpiper.

My mosiac from our walk on the local fire road lined with tall pine trees, next to the lake, some fall leaves and mushrooms, an Osprey in flight, our lake and a Belted Kingfisher across the lake.

A view of the sky and clouds, later the same day after our walk on the fire road. 

I am thankful to live in a state and neighborhood with such biodiversity. It is the variety of life,  I have only seen a small amount of species contained on earth. Biodiversity is important to people and the health of ecosystems. It is beautiful when you take in the wonder of it all. 

I am always thankful for your visits and your comments.

Thank you Michelle for hosting. Thankful Thursday

Thank you to the hosts of   Skywatch Friday


Thanks so much for visiting and for your nice comments. Have a happy day!

Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary

Linking up with Skywatch Friday  and Good Fences  and NF Winged


 These are all photos taken while doing some early morning birding along the Estes Lake trail..The trail also includes the Matthew-Reeser Bird Sanctuary.. I read some EBIRD reports before leaving home, I knew this place would be great for bird sightings..

 An Osprey sighted over the Estes Lake..

 The shot above and the one below are perfect for both my Good Fence and Skywatch  entries..

The trail is busy with walkers and bike riders..and birders..  

 For NF Winged: I am not sure but I thought the bird blending in with rocks above could be a Solitary Sandpiper..

 Another NF winged bird I was having trouble iding..My thoughts were a Wilson's Warbler only because I saw one nearby..

 I like this shot even though it is not clear, but the Mountain Chickadee in flight looks cool.. LOL, the focus on the pine cones and needles turned out..

Another shot for NF Winged..I call this shot above The Swallow Bush!  How many swallows can you find?You can click on the photo to make it bigger.

 A shot of the trail sky and our shadows..but at this time we had the trail to ourselves..

I took this shot in a wooded area near the trail, I like the view of the mountain and lake.. I had to watch my back, there was a bull elk resting behind me and a little off to my right..

I think this Elk was watching me watch the birds.. I was hoping dear hubby was keeping an eye on the Elk. Just in case he started moving towards me..

I do not think this duck was worrying about the Elk..

It was a pretty morning for our walk on the trail.  The sky was just beautiful. Above we are heading back to the visitor center parking and our car..More fences and more sky views!   I hope you enjoyed my photos from Estes Park, Colorado..

I hope you enjoyed my post and photos
To see more pretty skies from around the world please visit  Skywatch Friday
and check more fence shots at Tex's Good Fences
and for anything that has wings check out NF Winged

Thanks to Tex @ The Run*A*Round Ranch for hosting Good Fences and to Sylvia, Yogi  and Sandy for hosting Skywatch Friday also thanks to Monica of NF Winged!   I wish everyone a safe and happy long weekend.

Weekend Walk_Aug 10th

  I am linking up with   Mosaic Monday and Our World Tuesday 


I am happy to joining  Judith of Lavender Cottage as the new host of Mosaic Monday..I am sharing some scenes, birds from last weekend's walk on a local trail called George's Creek.. I have been there a few times lately because there have been some cool birds sighted there.

 My birds of George's Creek: top row are the Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting male&female, Hooded Warbler. Bottom Row: maybe a Pine Warbler, Gray Catbird, unknown juvie flycatcher?

Edit: Kathie of  Kathie's Birds  posted in her comment below that my maybe guess on the Pine Warbler is actually a Yellow-throated Vireo.. Thanks to Kathie for the id.. I appreciate the help.

 I like this shot of the Canada Geese, GB Heron and a couple of Wood Ducks floating by..

 We have seen the Great Blue Heron during each of our walks at George's Creek, also some Wood Ducks and Canada Geese.  The top right shot is either the Solitary Sandpipers or Spotted Sandpiper, there has been a lot of discussion on these birds id.

 This is a larger photo of the Sandpiper in question, if any one else can help.. I am thinking it is the Solitary Sandpiper..not the Spotted.

We saw the Red Admiral Butterfly on the way back to our car, I am always checking out the milkweed to see what is nearby, a Comma Butterfly is in the middle left photos.. It was a wonderful morning for our walk.. Our weather has been cooler and not as humid, great weather for a hike..I hope you enjoyed my walk and George's Creek.



As always I thank you for stopping by and for the nice comments.

I hope you can join in on our at  Mosaic Monday and   Our World Tuesday

 Thanks to Judith our new host of Mosaic Monday and to the hosting group of Our World Tuesday: Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia, Sandy and Jennifer.  I wish everyone a happy week ahead!