Clark County Wetlands Park

Sixth and last day in Las Vegas, I visited the above park http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/wetlandspark
Great place with smaller ponds and great walking trails.  I was searching for the Greater Roadrunner to add to my collection and one never showed up.  I saw two the whole trip, but couldn't pull the trigger either time.  I guess I have another reason to come back.  Here are some more critters.

Covey of Gambel's Quail

 Gambel's Quail male

Ring-necked Duck

Audubon's Warbler - correction from Jim Boone, different subspecies from our more eastern Myrtle Warbler that is also part of the Yellow-rumped Warblers.  Yellow throat is the difference.

Albert's Towhee

 White-crowned Sparrow

Bewick's Wren

Hemenway Park, Boulder City, Nevada - Desert Bighorn Sheep

The first afternoon that we were in Las Vegas, we went down to the park to see if the Desert Bighorn Sheep were there.  Here is some info on the park, http://www.birdandhike.com/Wildlife/Mamm/08Art/05_Bov/Ovis_can/Hemenway/_Ovi_hemen.htm  Jim Boone and his website are the best information for finding wildlife in the Las Vegas area.  He generously sent me emails with advice on where I could find my targets. There were about 20 in the park with one decent ram.  It was cold in the low 30s.  I shot about 100 images and we packed up to head to Hoover Dam.

About a 1/4 mile down the road I spotted 6 rams heading north toward a subdivision.  I quickly wheeled around and headed back past the park to the subdivision on the other side.  We found a dead end where we could look down on the wash below the park.  I quickly spotted the rams and they had turned for the park.  We quickly loaded up and headed back to the park.  By the time I got my camera out at the park, the six rams entered the field.  They singled out a ewe that giving off good chemical signals to the boys.  They hung with her the whole time until I left. 

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Stopped by to visit this park on the way to see Ana in Gainesville yesterday.  It is unique because there are herds of wild horses and American Bison there.  You can read more on the park and livestock at http://www.floridastateparks.org/paynesprairie/ and http://www.floridastateparks.org/paynesprairie/doc/additionalinformation/ppp-livestock_mgmt_plan.pdf .   I have been there a half dozen times and have never seen the bison.  They have been on my bucket list to photograph.  I got there around 7 AM and proceeded to walk out on the dike road to see what was there.  The dike trail is 4 miles out and I went the entire way.

First thing I saw in the fog was a coyote off in the distance, no good photos.  Next were some of the wild horses.

After the horses came a couple of deer.  No good photos although this buck was impressive for a Florida deer.

Then came the wild hogs.

Then about 3 miles  out came the lone young bison.  It was on the berm road that isn't much more than 20 ft wide.  It came right to me and walked by, maybe 6 ft from me.  I was a little worried because there was nothing but water on either side of the berm.  You certainly wouldn't want to be this close to a Yellowstone bison.  It was about the size of an Angus cow.  I was talking loudly and waving my arms around when it got close, just to make sure it didn't get surprised by my presence.

After that came butterflies, dragonflies and birds.  The migration is on, so lots of warblers and small birds with the hawks chasing after them.

Red-shouldered Hawks

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Also saw a couple of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks.  This is significant because I had never heard of them north of Orlando.  Here is the proof.

 

On the return trip around the 2.5 mile mark, a herd of bison.  They were blocking the trail home, but raced off when they realized that I was there.

Then more wild hogs.

And more wild horses.

And I finish up with a Florida Cottonmouth near the bathrooms.

Bunya Mountains

We arrive Monday afternoon from Hervey Bay and left this morning (Wednesday) to head back to Gold Coast.  Great trip across agricultural land, mostly cattle with some peanuts.  We had to stop to get this Black Kite along the way.

Bunya Mountains is another type of rainforest with several distinct tree species. Tons of birds came to the feeders at the house we rented with the Crisps.  Everyone could hand feed them if you're patient.

Australian King Parrot

We saw lots of stuff and did three hikes.

 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo - no one hand fed this guy, although he regularly came to the feeder

Satin Bowerbird - collector of blue plastic items for his bower

Wonga Pigeon

 Agile Wallabies males squaring off

Agile Wallaby mother with joey