Today’s post is 100% critters. Mostly avian but I threw in a mammal and an amphibian as well.

I love western and eastern Meadowlarks. Especially males looking for females. They often strike nice poses, usually while in mid song.

I lalso like the Black Simmer and the way they seem to play with the water. They make good photo models and that meant they were high on my list for getting pictures.

God was having a great day when He created the Snowy Owl. I had about three good years with these guys and made a lot of very special friends who were doing the same.

The American Coot are large in numbers and they also can be quite entertaining.

I enjoyed the light in the first image below almost as much as the bird.

If you are wondering what that colorful “splotch” of hairy feathers is in front of the Coot below, that would be a baby Coot being watched over by one parent.

The Common Snipe can be found in a variety of waterways searching out food. They are a classified “shorebird” and they can be found with their bill in the water quite often.

The Horned Grebe like many birds goes through some “feather changes” as it matures. This I believe, is a first winter bird,

One or most common birds is the Mourning Dove. They tend to be easy photo subjects as their fear of humans is low.

They truly are pretty.

Moving away from the bird world let us travel to the Racoon. I love these guys but if you have one in your neighborhood beware, they are in many ways, small bears. They can, and I have been a witness to this, demolish everything in their path.

Finaly, let us end in the world of an amphibian. Specifically a toad. The one below had zero fear of me. I kept a small distance did my thing, and then wandered off to allow my new friend to go about its business.

The world of wildlife is a fascinating one. Whether they fly, swim, walk on the land or do all of those things, they have a story to tell and us and using our cameras to “thoughtfully” tell that story, is good.

Peace be with you and may God Bless,
Wayne