Worth the drive to Wilcox, Arizona and amazing Cochise Lake just for this shot of Horned Lark in ‘horns up’ mode (actually crest-like feathers):
This time of year (late winter/early migration), there were lots of other birds, like this beautiful Golden Eagle flying far overhead:
Also lots of sparrow activity:
Cochise Lake is on the north end of Wilcox Playa, a large seasonal/dry lake + important habitat for migrating birds like Sandhill Crane. Not sure of the yearly water stewardship plan for Cochise Lake, but this time of year (dry season) it’s fed with town (?) water, i.e., some sort of waterflow out of a pipe. (Perhaps pumped ground water; didn’t notice any signs relating to use of tertiary treated waste water.) Anyway, very popular with passing waterfowl like these great Snow Geese:
Lots more shots of Horned Lark:
This visit (early March) was about a month late for prime Sandhill Crane migration, but nevertheless, more digital photographs of Sandhill Crane activity coming up soon, here at Cochise Lake!