High above the marsh as we walk along the boardwalk toward the entrance to the bird refuge, tall reeds wave gently in the breeze below, showing off their summer colors.
I can hear birds singing. As we stop to take in the surrounding beauty, I spot Barn Swallows performing their acrobatics, Dragonflies trying to stay out of their reach and these gorgeous Yellow-headed Blackbirds singing their welcome.
There are several and we are delighted. It has been many years since we have seen the Yellow-headed Blackbird. The brightly colored males are sitting among the swaying reeds, showing off their handsomeness for us.
The lovely female, with her muted patch of gold, is busy catching Dragonflies for her babies. We stand in awe watching these birds. Finally, the female becomes brave, perhaps knowing we are not a threat, and delivers her mouthful of bugs to her babies.
Down she goes into the reeds and out of sight. We can’t see the nest even though we try diligently to get a glimpse; they have done a masterful job of hiding their nursery.
Yellow-headed BlackbirdIts a warm day and the birds are hotLooking for bugsSitting proudlyYellow-headed Blackbird (female)Got a bug!Down she goes to feed her baby.Near the Visitor Center
For all you birders out there, please go to the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge web-site and take a look! Better yet, if you are ever in this area stop in for a visit, you won’t be disappointed. It is located just north of Willard, Utah. I know you will enjoy seeing this gorgeous refuge.
We spent last night surrounded by dry, baron, landscape in the booming town of Rock Springs, Wy. No pretty scenery or lush grass to gaze upon. For those of you who have stayed in this town you know what I am talking about.
It was however entertaining watching as RV after RV drove into this KOA looking for a place to stop for the night. We normally don’t stay at private RV parks, but this was a convenient location for us to stop on our first night out.
What else was there to do, but watch the RV park fill up with all types of RV’s.
We observed rigs stopping in front of the office, people going in and coming right back out and then watching as they turned their rigs around heading back to I-80 with, I assume, hopes of finding a place to spend the night on down the road.
Lots of people RV’ing this time of year! It is a good idea to make reservations if you can!
This morning, as we continued west, the landscape became green and mountainous and in places fast flowing river water carried happy floaters down stream. Looked like a lot of fun.
We passed fields with cows, horses, llamas, goats and sheep all grazing on tall, summer grass. Howard saw some Big Horn Sheep, but I missed them!
Here we are stopped at one of the most beautiful rest areas we have ever seen.
Utah off of I-84
We turned from I-80 onto I-84. Our destination, Willard Bay State Park, which is located just north of Ogden and south of Brigham City. What a beautiful drive this was and more on this state park later.
I wonder who lives here? Do you see the house?Gorgeous rock formations, just what Utah is known for
The above photos were taken at the Rest Area. I have tried to take photos while riding down the road, but I am never satisfied with them. I was lucky we stopped at this rest area today.
American Robin (young)
As we sat outside at our camp site today, we had a visitor, an American Robin. He would run around, plop down to sunbathe for a few minutes, then get up and start running around some more!
A camp site visitor
The photos below were taken while taking a walk around the campground this afternoon. I had to add some close-ups! (didn’t have my macro lens with me).
We will spend one more day at Willard Bay State Park to go sightseeing!
