May 29, 2016 - Westwood Hills Nature Center
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I have more photos from the Texas workshop to share with you but I’m taking a break this week to bring you some Minnesota spring photos. I was inspired by a Jim Williams’ Star Tribune blog entry to go to Westwood Hills Nature Center in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. This was the first time I visited Westwood Hills even though it is pretty close to where we live. A male Northern Cardinal is always a welcome sight.
CardinalNorthernmaleWestwoodHillsNatureCenterLouisPark20160420
It was no surprise to find Canada Geese at the park. I got an amusing close-up of this one as it was calling. You get a good look at its tongue, of course, but also notice the serrated edges on the bill. Geese have no teeth so the rough edges help them clip grass, an important part of their diet. Also, note the small hook on the tip of the bill.
Jim’s blog entry mentioned Wild Turkeys in the park and that’s what really caught my interest. He was right, the turkeys were very tolerant of people and that made it easy to get some good photos. I’m always impressed at the many colors that are found in the feathers of a turkey.
This close-up shows the amazing red and blue bumps on the head and neck of a turkey. The colors can change very quickly, depending on the mood of the bird. That appendage sticking straight up from the beak is called a snood. It can be raised like this or it can lie flat on the bird’s beak.
TurkeyWildmalecloseWestwoodHillsNatureCenterLouisPark20160420
When this turkey gobbled, it stretched forward and raised the feathers on its neck. Hanging from the middle of the bird’s chest is a set of thin feathers. This is called a beard. All males have a beard and about 10% of females also have one. Generally, the beard gets longer as the bird ages.
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