I was in the mood for a mini-adventure this week, so I decided to explore the Arrowhead Wildlife Management Area – a place I had heard about but had never visited before. It used to be a fish hatchery in years gone by, but now those ponds have been transformed into wetland areas. Needless to say, it is a happy haven for all kinds of birds!

I saw a Lesser Yellowlegs wading about…

…a Blue Grosbeak hiding out in a tangle of bush branches…

…and a couple of Killdeer, all of which are birds I don’t get to see very often.

My two favorite encounters of the day were with the Eastern Kingbirds and the Green Herons. At first I thought the Kingbirds were Swallows because their markings are similar, and because they were dipping and darting after insects in swallow-like fashion. Some were perched on reeds…

…and others were perched in trees along the trail. I think these birds are such beauties.

Another of the ponds, one with a bit more water, had a couple of Green Herons who were engrossed in their hunting. The first was hanging out in the shallows…

…while the other was sticking closer to the muddy shoreline.

At one point he snared a creepy-crawlie critter in his beak and then (after violently shaking it several times) ate it – which was quite entertaining to watch.

I have to say, he looked rather pleased with himself after his successful snacking!

It’s always wonderful when you visit somewhere and it turns out even better than you were expecting. I can’t wait to see what birds will be waiting next time around!