Swans

A beautiful day watching Trumpeter Swans coming in to land at the Old Matanuska Townsite.

Raptors and Geese

The birds are really moving into the Valley now. There are hundreds of geese and the raptors are making an appearance.

Canada Geese and Snow Geese over the Knik Valley

Canada Geese coming in for a landing

Streams and open water areas are filling up.

Canada Geese fly over.

Hawks are showing up throughout the area.

Bald Eagle, Palmer, Alasa

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk near Mat-Su Regional Medical Center

Red-tailed Hawk in full adornment

Pioneer Peak, Alaska

Common Ravens are showing some unusual grouping behaviors.

Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher

A trip to the Old Matanuska Townsite revealed my first ever Kingfisher birds. Not only one, but a mating couple enjoying Spring courtship!

Female Belted Kingfisher

Female Belted Kingfisher: she flew up on the wire and got the attention of a male that was down below - next photo.

Male Kingfisher: Note his pretty blue 'waistcoat'.

Courtship dance - they then flew off together down the river.