Empty!

Another fun morning out on the water including a significant amount of time with Buddy the Belted Kingfisher.  We watched him make several dives from his perch into the water, each time coming up empty.  He mustn't have been very hungry because he spent far more time preening himself than he did actually fishing.  And twice he flew over to our boat and landed on the railings, once a mere 2 feet from where wrperry and I were standing with big lenses in hand.  That is the closest I have ever been to a kingfisher, a species that is notoriously skittish.  Magical moments, for sure.  

We only saw 2 whooping cranes today, and both too far away for even the longest lenses, but there were so many other great birds to be seen that we didn't mind.  And of course, we still have several hours in the hide this afternoon to catch more whoopers in the golden light.  

I've been having such a fun time with my fellow photographers, especially Osuzanna and Wrperry.  We are a small group of only 5 plus our leader which makes things very easy.  The other two people beside Suzanne and Wendy are people we met last year in South Africa, so it's been great fun to share stories and memories.  Only 5 more days before it will be time to prepare for re-entry back into the real world.  

Cheers from TX
Debbi