The Bobolink really is in peril with the early hay harvests. Their eggs and young get mowed. There is an organization that I wish was out here in Iowa...
http://www.bobolinkproject.com...
@plantladylin (<---First time trying this, hope it works like it should) I do a Guess This game with my birding email list and when I used one of my male Bobolink photos that showed absolutely none of his distinctive markings, people's closest guess was a Cowbird. I could not believe I fooled experienced birders.
The above photo was a special time for me this spring. I was outside weeding and kept hearing a nearby Bobolink. He just kept singing and a singing. I look in the pasture while walking closer to the song, yet fearing I'd scare him away. I couldn't find him right away... that's because I wasn't looking high enough.
I take my camera with me when I am outside, for just such a time. I was befuddled to find him high in this tree, in our yard. They don't go in trees. They are a grassland species, through and through. I could tell he saw me, but he just kept on singing, between snagging flies for a snack. Because he was facing me, I never got a great photo of his colors except when he leaned over to catch a bug.
I took a video, but the breeze made it hard for the camera to pick up the song. This is something I will not likely forget and was and still am blessed to have the experience. I wish others in this area recognized the value of such times. I mourn every time I see freshly mowed fields during early to mid summer.
