Western Meadowlark / Sturnella neglecta

I got back home from my Trinidad & Tobago trip one month ago. Since my return, I have only had a couple of day trips and one walk and had several photos that I wanted to post, just to remind myself of where I went and a few of the things I saw. Decided to post these last night, before I start on Day 5 of Trinidad & Tobago - I think they will provide a much-needed break from endless, very green photos! I had hoped to post all my holiday photos without interruption, but I can see that that is definitely not going to happen.

On 2 April 2017, I joined friends for a day in the Frank Lake area, hoping to see a variety of birds. It was a partly sunny day, with constantly changing clouds, some rather ominous. As for birds, it was a very quiet day and the only birds I got to photograph were several Trumpeter Swans.

I also had three owl photos, taken in a local park, that I wanted to post, plus a handful of shots taken on 17 April, when I went with friends to look for Sandhill Cranes. Poor light plus "heat distortion" and taking some photos from inside the car resulted in a very disappointing batch of images. I managed to pick out a handful as a record of a most enjoyable day, way out of the city, including this beautiful Western Meadowlark.

"The buoyant, flutelike melody of the Western Meadowlark ringing out across a field can brighten anyone’s day. Meadowlarks are often more easily heard than seen, unless you spot a male singing from a fence post. This colorful member of the blackbird family flashes a vibrant yellow breast crossed by a distinctive, black, V-shaped band. Look and listen for these stout ground feeders in grasslands, meadows, pastures, and along marsh edges throughout the West and Midwest, where flocks strut and feed on seeds and insects." From AllAboutBirds.

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Meadowlark/id

Finally, I got out for a quick drive SW of the city, too, so I may have a few photos from that afternoon - in the rain that started 10 minutes after I left home. You can certainly tell that spring has arrived - major road construction everywhere!

Today, I had to move my vehicle for the whole day so that the City could clean the whole area. I don't have an up-to-date street parking pass, which meant that I needed to find something to fill my day - instead of being at home, working on my Taxes! A morning walk at Carburn Park took care of around three hours - the only birds close enough for photos were an American Robin, two Franklin's Gulls, and a Canada Goose : ) Afterwards, I called in at a local wetland and photographed a Mallard, a busy Muskrat - and a Canada Goose, lol. Not a very friendly Goose, either, though he must have a nest somewhere in the area. Hissed at me and followed me part way down the path. I had to go back along the same path to get to my car, and waited till the Goose was as far away as possible before I hurried back. Oh, there was also a Ring-billed Gull that was standing on the bridge railing, letting me take some nice, close shots.

I can't wait till I can start editing my photos from Day 5 of our Trinidad & Tobago adventure!