“Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.” – Alphonse Karr
While I watched the red-necked phalaropes in the pond ..... -- Photo by Pat Bean
Adventures with Pepper
Pepper played around in the buttercups -- Photo by Pat Bean
The roadsides between Wichita Falls and Amarillo were strewn with wildflowers in abundance this past week. While Texas’ glorious spring bluebonnets have already disappeared, purple penstemons, golden coreopsis, scarlet Indian paintbrush, and white prickly poppy blossoms stood in nicely.
And then when Pepper and I pulled into a fancy rest stop, complete with a sign near the entrance to the information center that warned visitors to be aware of rattlesnakes, there was a large field of buttercups. I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t thrill at such a sight.
Beyond the flowers, there was a small pond with a dozen or so phalaropes doing their thing.
And the Texas nasties got her. -- Photo by Pat Bean
Phalaropes swim in circles to stir up the water and bring up their dinner. I’ve seen thousands of them do this on the Great Salt Lake in Utah, where they fill up on brine shrimp eggs before continuing their migration.
There were only about a dozen, however, on this small pond.
While I watched these small birds, Pepper decided to explore the buttercups. When I looked around, she was having a blast bounding among them. Watching her made me laugh out loud – well until she tired and came back to stand beside me.
It took me half an hour of picking and brushing and cutting of hair before Pepper wasn’t as prickly as a cactus. That sign that warned about snakes should have also mentioned Texas’ nasty burs.
Bean’s Pat: Peter Pan http://tinyurl.com/84j3cf9 How many of you have actually read J.M. Barrie’s book? I love the quotes.
Pat Bean's blog 
Burrs and all, Pepper must be thanking her lucky stars you found each other. She looks so happy in the buttercups. Any thorns, or burrs are just part of life…
Yup. She was even pretty patient while I got them off her.
Keep writing … Pat Bean https://patbean.wordpress.com
Ah Pepper played her little heart out…too bad about the burrs. I remember those! Thanks for mentioning my blog. I loved all the great quotes in the story. It was hard choosing my favorite since there were so many.
You’re welcome for the Pat. I’ve been enjoying your blog for awhile now.
Hi Pat. I’m very envious of your phalarope picture! The phalarope in the picture isn’t a Red-necked but a very fine looking Wilson’s Phalarope in full breeding attire. The other two birds to the right look like Pectoral Sandpipers. Great looking birds at this time of year. 😉
Thanks Ian. I almost just said phalaropes because I wasn’t sure. Then as usual, I went out on a limb, and got it wrong. I’m so glad I don’t feel the need to be perfect. I was delighted about how the water showed that the phalarope had been circling, especially since I only use a Canon point and shoot and then quickly put it back in my pocket. I don’t consider myself a photographer. By the way, I really enjoy your photography. You take excellent photos that make me feel as if I’m there.
Hi Pat. There is no need to be perfect as long as people enjoy what you do. As birds are my passion I thought I would pass on my knowledge as I know some birds are difficult to identify and like to help out where I can. Wilsons Phalaropes are very rare where I am in the UK (I’ve only ever seen one in my lifetime) as they breed in North America. I love how they spin round though, creating a small vortex that stirs small insects to the surface. To my knowledge phalaropes are the only species that do this.
I can’t believe that you photographed this with a point and shoot camera. It makes me even more envious!
The Pectoral Sandpipers in the picture are so called because the brown plumage around their chest area stops at their pectoral muscles. You can see it clearly on the middle bird.
I like reading your blogs as it is so interesting finding out what different species you are seeing. Makes me want to fly over and get some pictures myself. 😉
Thanks Ian. Actually I’ve seen a lot more Wilson’s phalaropes than red-necked. These looked a little different than the ones I saw in Utah, however, which is why I suspected they were red-necks. I forgot about the seasonal differences in plummage. For example the American avocets I saw in Utah were always in their red head and neck breeding colors, but when I see them in Texas they’s only wearing black and white feathers. Right now I’m seeing a lot of western kingbirds. I’ll be blogging about them soon. Hope you do get to fly over here one of these days.
oh no, poor baby!!! we have those nasties here; oftentimes i get caught up in hikes and photo ops and fail to recognize how far i’ve made a mess of myself with them. fortunately, they’re not directly attached to my self/fur….
She survived, none the worse for wear and ready to go exploring again. She seems to like to play in tall grasses so I expect more burs in the future. Thanks for commenting.
Bummer on the burs 😦 … Cheers on her patience! 🙂 …. Loved the description of the fancy rest stop. Safe travels.
I think she’s going to have to get some of that gorgeous hair of hers trimmed off. I prefer trails to sidewalks when it comes to walks.
Dogs and sticky stuff – animal magnetism?
🙂
Jim
Which is why Pepper’s going to get a hair cut. But thankfully she was none the worse for wear.