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Friday, November 29, 2013

This Week's Column of the Natural Life of Boomer Lake, November 27, 2013

Life at Boomer Lake with Deb

Waterbirds and Songbirds of Fall


                                                                 Ruddy Duck


                                                        Female Canvasback, top


                                                           Female Ruddy Duck


                                                           Male Ruddy Duck


                                                               Pied-billed Grebe


                                                             Female Bufflehead


                                               One male Bufflehead Fighting Over Female


                                                            Bufflehead Group


                                                              Male Bufflehead


                                                               Male Buffleheads


                                                      Male Bufflehead Exerting Authority


                                                      How Buffleheads Leave the Water


                                                       Goldfinch, Non-breeding Plumage


                                                                       Ditto


                                                                         Ditto


                                                                    Ditto


                                                                          Ditto


                                                     Double-crested Cormorant Group


                                                          "Coming in for a Landing"


                                                        Partial Flock of Canada Geese

Sunny/29-43 degrees/light and Variable Winds/0745-1015 hrs

A beautiful post-Thanksgiving day, full of revelry at Boomer Lake.  The only one NOT in attendance today was the Belted Kingfisher.   They must be out of town for the holiday.

Thursday, November 28, 2013


                                                                  Mallard Pair


                                                   Mallard Hen(left) and Ruddy Duck Hen


                                                          Female Bufflehead


                                                          Double-crested Cormorants


                                               Double-crested Cormorants "Snags" a Drink


                                                    More Double-crested Cormorants


                                                         Cormorant in the Water


                                                      Double-crested Cormorant in Flight


                                                            Double-crested Cormorants


                                                  Double-crested Cormorant Wing Drying


                                                 Pied-billed Grebes, Immature on Left


                                                       Double-crested Cormorant


                                                               House Sparrows


                                                              Belted Kingfisher


                                                                 Ditto, in Flight


                                                          Northern Mockingbird


                                                              Canvasback

            0745-0945/partly cloudy/31-40 degrees/15 mph winds

            I saw a group of Canvasbacks arrive on the lake this morning, which is the first time that I have                      seen them this season.  Today, I concentrated on the Cormorant Clan, as they just happened to be there, and I got a number of humorous shots.  I saw an immature Pied-billed Grebe for the first time, and as you can see, it has a streaked head.  There are now two Kingfishers on the lake, a male and a female, though on different parts of the lake.  Perhaps they will pair up.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013


                                                     Canada Goose Pair, First Light


                                                              Female Ruddy Duck


                                                            Female Lesser Scaup


                                                           Female Belted Kingfisher


                                                      Great Blue Heron Stretches

21-32 degrees/0745-1000/clear skies/15 mph winds

Yes, I have lost it all right.  Since many things are happening already in the world of birds, I don't want to miss any more than I am forced.  Luckily, my work schedule is conducive to a bit more freedom this week, so I am taking full advantage.  I saw a few things today that provided a great deal of encouragement, and as each day passes, I hope to show you more in the world of wildlife and teach you wonderful things.

Please get a bird feeder if you don't have one, perhaps even two.  When the ground is frozen it gets more and more difficult for birds to get nourishment.  They also need water, and there are heaters specifically made for birdbaths.  If you want to make a difference, and help our feathered friends survive, nature will thank you by gracing your yards as much as possible.

Black oil sunflower seeds provide the most calories during the colder months.  Thanks in advance everyone, and I love you for being you.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Featuring the Fall and Winter Lineup--Ducks of Boomer Lake


                                                                  American Coot


                                                                Horned Grebes


                                                                  Great Blue Heron


                                                              Male Ruddy Duck


                                                    Ruddy Duck Pair(Male on Right)


                                                           Red-breasted Merganser


                                                        Red-breasted Mergansers


                                                               Male Ruddy Duck

partly cloudy/0745-0900 hrs/15 mph winds/31 degrees

All right, everyone, I have just discovered that I am seriously taking leave of my senses.  Who in their right MINDS would  go outside in the freezing temperatures in heaven-only-knows-what wind chill in order to get these pictures for you?  A darn serious birder or a completely daft fool.  In any event, here they are, so enjoy.  By the way, this is the first time that I have ever seen the Eared Grebe and the Red-breasted Merganser.