Blackthumb Bob says:

When I went to the park at about 9:00 a.m., this bird was standing beside the road and I did not have my camera.  I got to watch it take off and land within 20 yards of me!  By the time I got back, it was out in the middle of the lake on an island.  Photo taken 10/15/99 just outside Memphis.  Going to call this a Great Blue Heron.

See how the Great Blue Heron Takes to the Air -- Click here!

Blackthumb Bob says:

Not a real friendly bird.  Ran and flew away as I worked to get close.  Seemed to be running around eating stuff from off the ground.  There were about three of these birds together.  I am leaning toward saying this is a Horned Lark.  Photo taken 10/15/99 just outside Memphis. 

Katrina Knight adds:

This is a meadowlark. There are two species of meadowlarks - eastern and western. They are told apart mainly by song and while eastern is more common in the east, there are some westerns seen in Tennessee.

Blackthumb Bob says:

This small blue highlighted bird flew from one tree to another in a orchard-like glade.  I saw others like it, but this is the best (although not good) picture I could get.  As I recall the head was more gray, but looks redish brown in the picture.  It was about the size of a house finch, if not a bit smaller.  Photo taken 10/15/99 just outside Memphis. 

Blackthumb Bob says:

Least Sandpipers.  Photos taken 10/27/99 and 10/28/99 at Plough Park, just outside Memphis, TN.

Blackthumb Bob says:

Belted Kingfisher, I think.  Trees in these photos stood along side a marshy area.  Photo taken 10/20/99 at Plough Park, just outside Memphis, TN.

Blackthumb Bob says:

Rock Dove. Photo taken 10/20/99 at Plough Park, just outside Memphis, TN.

Blackthumb Bob says:

I think these are Hairy Woodpeckers.  Photo taken 10/20/99 at Plough Park, just outside Memphis, TN.

Blackthumb Bob says:

I think this a Northern Harrier.  Photo taken 10-27-99 over a small lake and fields.  Not sure if it is the same bird or not.  Top two from one video scene, bottom two from another.  Photo taken at Shelby Farms, outside Memphis, TN.

Rob adds:

Very nice female Northern harrier (males are gray).  Bottom image nicely shows the almost owl like facial disks.

Blackthumb Bob says:

I was informed that Northern Shovelers were in this area.  I think this is one.  Black bill, greenish head, white on chest.... There were about five more of these, some females, but then images were too small and unclear to include here at this time.  Photos taken 10/27/99 and  10/28/99 at Shelby Farms, just outside Memphis, TN.