Sunning

Top Photo: Male northern cardinal catching some rays on the boardwalk. While it may calm and warm the cardinal in the above photo to expose itself to the sun’s rays, research suggests that there’s more going on than just relaxing in the sun. When a bird turns its side to the sun, spreads out its flight feathers and exposes as much of its body as it can to the direct rays of the sun it may be trying to ridRead more

Great Blue Heron at Rest

When not stalking prey, or off to another nearby pond, lake, or river, the local Great Blue Heron spends much of its time perched on various objects around the Wetlands. Rocks, especially the two large rocks which can be seen left-of-center from the Wetlands Overlook, are the bird’s favorite perches. Here, the bird apparently feels safe to relax, far out in the water away from any would be predators. Often, after a long day of hunting, the heron retreats toRead more