Eagle Bluffs: A bird's eye view

I've been spending more time at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area lately. With the migrants gone, I've been a little disappointed, which I'm ashamed to admit. The usual suspects are mallards, gadwalls, northern shovelers, northern pintails, red-winged blackbirds and the occasional hawk. All of these birds are amazing and beautiful in their own right - some more common than others. I should be just as excited about seeing these birds as I am when I see the lone Forster's tern fishing or the horned grebe diving for supper. Now that the area is closed for hunting during my favorite hours of the day, sunrise and sunset, I'll have some time to adjust my attitude.

Today I rode my bike with Jesse on the Katy Trail from McBaine toward Rocheport (I think). I found the Eagle Bluffs overlook I always notice when I'm birding but hadn't ever taken the time to find the trail to it. We climbed the stairs to the viewing platform. Eagle Bluffs is a beautiful place!

The stairs leading to the overlook at Eagle Bluffs CA

A bird's eye view of Eagle Bluffs CA

The trail from the platform

Also near McBaine, Missouri is a very awesome tree. The State Champion Bur Oak tree. It stands with its feet near the highway and its crown shading a soybean field. It's massive and beautiful.

Here it is at twilight:

The moon and Venus hung in the sky, patiently waiting for the sun to bow out.

Self-portrait with the Bur Oak tree in the background

TTFN!