Marsh Fleabane (Pluchea odorata)

Originally posted on another platform by Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.

Marsh Fleabane (Pluchea odorata) is one of the more attractive plants of low, damp areas. It's foliage is rather sticky and strong-scented. It is now in bloom at Quivira.

#Plant #Wildflower #Kansas #KS 

Egrets Blocking the Road

From Quivira National Wildlife Refuge:

Roadblock: egrets congregating on the Wildlife Drive once again this morning. 

#Animals #Birds #Egrets #Nature #Wildlife #Kansas #KS #USFWS 

Numerous Pollinators

From Quivira National Wildlife Refuge:

Pollinators were numerous on the Visitor Center lawn this morning: a couple of Monarch Butterflies, several skippers and Pearl Crescents, and this very active White-lined Sphinx Moth. 

#animals #insects #butterfly #butterflies #moth #pollinator #nature #wildlife 





041717

Black-tailed Jackrabbit

From Quivira National Wildlife Refuge:

Always interesting, but not frequently seen here: this Black-tailed Jackrabbit was found making the rounds this morning, west of Little Salt Marsh. 

#animals #mammal #hare #nature #wildlife 

#kansas #KS #USFWS 




041317

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Small Spiny Softshell Turtle

#Sunday

From Quivira National Wildlife Refuge:

Turtles, too, out and about, like this small Spiny Softshell. 

#animals #reptile #turtle #nature #wildlife 




040917 

Prairie Kingsnake

#Saturday

From Quivira National Wildlife Refuge:

Snakes have been seen. This lovely specimen of a Prairie Kingsnake was trying to get warm early this morning.

#animals #reptile #snake #nature #wildlife 

#USFWS #Kansas #KS 




040817

8 Whooping Cranes

#Thursday

From Quivira National Wildlife Refuge:

These 8 Whooping Cranes (7 adults and 1 juvenile) were photographed on a corn stubble field a couple of miles southeast of the Refuge at 8:00 this morning. Just after 11 am, all 8 were seen flying north very high over the Headquarters in V-formation. 

#animals #birds #WhoopingCrane #wildlife #nature 






040617 

American White Pelicans

From Quivira National Wildlife Refuge:

Spring is here, and so are the American White Pelicans! This was only a portion of the 200 or so observed today at Quivira. 




032117 

Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)

From Quivira National Wildlife Refuge:

This Bufflehead was one of many found in Quivira's wetlands this morning. 


#USFWS #Bufflehead #Wetlands 

Enduring Tundra Swan

From Quivira National Wildlife Refuge:


#USFWS #Animal #Bird #Swan #Waterfowl #Kansas

Tundra Swans were still around this morning at Big Salt Marsh. Last Thursday, our staff counted 24! 




031317 

Two Muskrats Making Their Way Across Park Smith Pond

From Quivira National Wildlife Refuge:

Recently on Park Smith Pond: two Muskrats making their way across. As mentioned earlier, this type of sight has been non-existent for most of the past 5 years. 




030617 

Tundra Swans a-Swimming

From Quivira National Wildlife Refuge:

#USFWS

Swans a-swimming (Tundra Swans): another addition to the already-exciting scenery at Big Salt Marsh this morning.




022217 

Normal Morning at Big Salt Marsh

From Quivira National Wildlife Refuge:

Just a normal morning at Big Salt Marsh: a portion of the estimated 7 - 8,000 Sandhill Cranes on the west side of Big Salt Marsh this morning. This or a similar scene has been the rule over the last couple of weeks.




022117

Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus)

From Quivira National Wildlife Refuge:

Showtime: Red-winged Blackbirds, like this one this morning at Quivira, have begun calling and displaying in the marshes.




020917

Armadillo near Migrants Mile

From Quivira National Wildlife Refuge:

Little armored fellow: temperatures warmed enough after the rain/ice weekend to bring out this Armadillo near Migrants Mile.

011817 

Ring-necked Pheasant

From Quivira National Wildlife Refuge:

A Ring-necked Pheasant venturing out this morning. The warmer temperatures are melting the ice quickly. Better yet, the refuge received about 1.6 inches of rain from the big weekend weather event! 




011717 

Bald Eagle Checking Reflection

From Quivira National Wildlife Refuge:

Ice decor: a Bald Eagle checking his/her reflection this morning on frozen Big Salt Marsh.




12-23-16