Bird Identification

Belted Kingfisher, Birds, Pond, Reflections, , , ,

For several weeks I have been seeing a bird that I did not recognize at the farm. I never got a close look, just observed it in flight before it disappeared into the treetops surrounding the pond. It had features similar to a large woodpecker. The pileated woodpecker is known to live in our area but try as I might I could never see any red on this bird like the woodpecker would have.

It wasn’t until today that I realized that this was the same bird that my husband witnessed diving into the pond and coming up with a fish dinner. Today I saw the same. While I wasn’t able to get any pictures of it, I did get a better look. I already knew that it was mostly grey and had a black head and long beak. Today I was able to see some brown markings underneath and a white ring around its neck. I made a mental note of that so I could search for it on the internet when I got home.

Mystery solved! I discovered it is a Belted Kingfisher, and I will say that it lives up to its name. At least six times over the course of an hour I saw it dive from the top of a tree into the pond and come up with a fish. One time it stopped and hovered in the air, wings flapping, then dove down into the water. Each time it came up it would fly to a high branch of a nearby tree, presumably to consume its prey.

You can click on the link below to see photos and learn more about the Belted Kingfisher.

Belted Kingfisher

If I ever get a photo of it I’ll be sure to share it with you.

Thanks for visiting.

Wordless Wednesday Recap

Reflections, Wordless Wednesday

Last week I invited readers to caption some photos that I posted. My husband and I enjoyed reading all of your creative thoughts on the photos. We also found ourselves coming up with several of our own captions. I thought I would share them with you.

“Let’s do the ‘People Dance'”

or

“Roast us!”

“I just adore a penthouse view.”

or

“Did someone call for a Door Dash?”

“I heard this is where all the chicks hang out.”

or

“When the beagle’s away the bunnies will play.”

If you click on the link below you can see the original post and the captions that all the other readers contributed.

Wordless Wednesday _ Caption the Photos

It’s not too late to join in the fun. Feel free to add captions in the comments box below. Let me know if you enjoyed “Caption the Photo”. I might do it again it the future.

Thanks for visiting.

Monthly Inspiration

Inspiration, Reflections

Hello and welcome to August.

I have something a bit different for our monthly inspiration and I hope it at least makes you smile.

A while back, my husband and I were talking about tv commercials that we remembered from when we were young. When I mentioned one of my favorites was the Faygo pop commercial I was surprised that he didn’t remember it. Then it occurred to me that Faygo(soda) pop is a Michigan product. My husband grew up in Ohio and while Faygo is sold in Ohio today perhaps it was not when he was growing up.

Ironically, this song/commercial that is all about fond memories from childhood has become one of my fond memories from childhood.

Turn up the volume and enjoy! If you remember it, you’ll probably even sing along. I know I do. 🙂

Doesn’t that make you want a cold bottle of red pop?

What is your favorite (soda) pop?

Thanks for visiting.