Bee and Oxpen Lakes

Please take note on my sidebar I have added a link to a Petition I have started to try and bring awareness to and stop the killing of Beaver by the USDA. it will only take a minute for your participation.  A donation goes to the World Wildlife Fund. 
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I am healthy and have stayed away from everyone.  I am wondering if its possible this is what I had in December? Based on what my symptoms were and what they are saying now... I never went to a DR because I don't even have a DR. Something I need to do....BUT if you recall I reported I had a Cold/Flu for the first time in like 14 yrs! I thought my immune system was shocked after losing Mom and dealing without her during the Holidays etc.  My son and I both had it, my sisters who we were in contact with did not get sick...so who knows. I heard people were recently tested and had antibodies and they reported being sick back in Dec some as far back as last November. This story of this virus is far from over and still a mystery. 

cute little Chipping Sparrow from the backyard

And a Yellow Rump Warbler was right overhead.

Since I'm at home I treated myself to this delicious flat bread with home made dip and Coconut Milk smoothie...It was delicious!  Add a little honey, vanilla, strawberries, banana, maple syrup and let me say it was heavenly...

During this time period I went to explore and hike a different area of the Sandhills NWR, the Bee and Oxpen Lakes area.  

I saw NO ONE and did not have to bother with social distancing, Which was nice to just forget about it for a while!  Im pretty sure this Yellow-Throated Warbler was more than 6 ft away I wanted him to come closer for a better look but he is pretty from any distance. 




He almost looks like a different bird from the back 

The sky was a bit dull...

Lake Bee

Brown Headed Nuthatch checked out this hollow in the tree...

And I saw quite a few Pine Warbler staring down from the trees above me,  In one area there's carnivorous plants! These Pitcher Plants work by trapping insects in the pools of water that stand inside and then taking nutrients from that insect as it decays, I know it's morbid but it's nature....can you see the water?  And they have a bloom stalk getting ready to flower...

And I found some Dwarf Iris in bloom nearby 

 

Wetlands are one of my favorite habitats, 

Someone else seems to like it also...I don't know if beaver are currently active in his area but I hope so..

This viewing deck had to be rebuilt a couple years ago...when  flooding messed it up..

I had lunch after my hike, and the view is really nice and a lovely breeze found it's way under the picnic cover.  

Just a sandwich, chips, and unsweet tea, think I had a Laura Bar in there too.  As I ate lunch I spotted more birds...in the nearby trees and bushes.  

Red Bellied Woodpecker...

And the Downy Woodpecker both knocking on wood while I ate...they were digging grubs out of the trees they visited...while this 

  Eastern Phoebe was on lookout with his keen eyesight for any insect that flew into range...actually we were all having our lunch...And after that I moved over to the Oxpen Lakes Area..and took another hike...

In this area I saw an Osprey diving into the lake, I could never got his dive on camera just his prep for it... Also saw quite a few Song and Savannah Sparrow hanging out...

Osprey preparing to dive....

Savannah, 

Found this Wild Turkey Tail Feather for my collection...

An Eastern Kingbird

Well as you guessed this post was written prior to my little friend's passing.  I try to create my posts and then they are scheduled to post in the order they are written. This ism to post on the Sunday  instead of Friday, the one prior was supposed to post last Friday and it just posted Wednesday.  This way I can stay only 2 weeks behind.  I am still hearing my friend all over the place and I reach for his bowl when it's feeding time. 

 I don't want to erase his having been  here I want to remember.   I saw Snapfish had a special on 8 x 11 photo books, 35% off so I made one of Casey and ordered some glossy prints of the same shots I just never have photos printed anymore...so I had only one or 2 actual prints of him but many digital shots of him...I can't wait for my book to arrive.  With the discount my book is 22 pages and contains 58 photos and Im getting 58 glossy 4 x 6 prints also includes shipping $27.  Pretty good deal.  I'll have to let you know about the book  when it arrives.  

Casey, Crater Lake, OR

This is the photo I've had on my screen since the day it was taken....and it will stay.  My State is easing up the restrictions I'm not sure it's a good idea I will continue to steer clear of people!  

For the record I think the demonstrations instigated by Trump was one of the most ridiculous displays of Narcissistic Control I've ever witnessed.  Talk about Flying Monkeys.  Kinda reminds me of Jonestown, if he told them to drink the poison they would.  IF those people want to go back to their old routine I'm sure no one could care, but don't expect everyone to agree...meaning your local businesses have the right to resume business as normal when they see fit. Have you ever seen such WHINERS?? wa-wa.

                                                                  

PEACE

Every day is a new Adventure.