Whitewater Draw - January 16, 2024

 After a brief cold snap, our weather began a warming trend, so I made the drive eastward to Whitewater Draw, where thousands of wintering sandhill cranes and snow geese congregate.  Arriving around 10 am, there were very few cranes to be seen.  They were away foraging in nearby fields that provide grain for them to eat.  It wasn't that long before cranes and snow geese began returning to the basin.  Probably due to wind direction, the birds did not fly over the viewing area as they sometimes  do.  Consequently, my views were from a quarter to a half mile away, leaving me with photos not as sharp as I would like.

In addition to cranes and snow geese, I saw a variety of ducks, waders and songbirds.  It was a fun trip, although I stayed only about two hours.  It felt good to be out in the sun. In particular, it was good to encounter a sora.  This member of the rail family, while quite numerous over most of the country, isn't seen that often because it stays hidden in the reeds and grasses of shallow ponds.  This one cooperated nicely, staying mostly in the open and allowing me to get close.













Black Phoebe

Vermilion Flycatcher (M)

Least Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper

American Wigeon (M)

American Wigeon (F)

Northern Pintail (M)

Northern Shoveler (M)

Northern Pintail (F)

Northern Shoveler (F)

Northern Shoveler (F)

Sora

Sora

Snow Geese

Snow Geese

Snow Geese

Chipping Sparrow

Killdeer




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