Great Egret Waves

                                                                Great Egret Balances

                                                                 Flying Away

                                                               In Flight Motion

                                                     Double-crested Cormorant in Flight

52 degrees/0900-1030(just after rain)/cloudy/light and variable winds

I'm grateful that the rain stopped so I could get out this morning.  A few of the stars were out, even with an event going on at the park.  The birds were well away from the festivities, but still close enough for me to get a few shots.

The World According to a Pelican

39 degrees/sunny/0805-1000/10 mph wind

Yes, you read that correctly.  It was chilly, and it was a good thing that I had my cold weather gear.  I had to remove my gloves to take these photos, but to me, it was well worth a little discomfort.  Quite simply, these are the many faces of sheer pelican joy.  I hope that it brings you a smile or two.

                                              Male Red-winged Blackbird Belts Out a Song

                                                Three Northern Mockingbirds in the House

                                                       
                                                            American White Pelican

                                                Great Blue Heron(left) and Great Egret

                                                     Double-crested Cormorant Party

                                                                  "Hangin' Out"

                                                            American White Pelican

47 degrees/0800-1000 hrs./clear skies/15 mph winds

Once again, morning has broken, there was a light film of dew on the ground, and we're getting closer to frost.  My northern blood is beginning to go elsewhere, and I might just be getting acclimated to being an Okie.  I think I will enjoy that.  So, in the meantime, enjoy the pictures and I'll catch you on the flip side.

                                                               "Best Buds"

Double-crested Cormorant Taking Off

                                                       Canada Geese in Flight

                                                           Spotted Sandpiper


70 degrees/Partly Cloudy/light and variable winds/mid-afternoon

It was relatively quiet at the lake with a few residents showing themselves.  Due to the pleasant weather, it was a perfect day to share the sunshine with a few friends.  Enjoy and I hope that your day was just as wonderful as mine.

                                                 Immature Double-crested Cormorant

                                                       Same Cormorant As Above

                                             Male Red-winged Blackbird, yesterday morning

                                                             American Coots

                                                                 Great Blue Heron

                                              Pied-billed Grebe Filling Air Sac for a Dive

                                                             "Cormorant Club"

                                                                  "The Gathering"

Cooler days and nights bring our fall and winter residents.  Not only does that include the Pied-billed Grebe, the Western Grebe could visit, and a number of ducks will be arriving shortly.  I am still awaiting some surprises, I hope, and we'll see where that just might take us next.  So keep those binoculars at the ready for I saw some Ring-billed Gulls yesterday, so that ail be an indication of things yet to come very soon.  I will keep the remainder of my suspicions secret at this time...

Cooler Mornings Bring the Double-crested Cormorants

                                                        Female House Sparrow

                                                Double-crested Cormorant Wing-Drying

                                                      Double-crested Cormorants

                                                     Double-crested Cormorant, Leaping

                                                                    Great Egret

             
                                        Great Egrets(center) with Double-crested Cormorants
                                                       

                                             Dead Channel Catfish, a whopping 4 feet long!

                                                            Downy Woodpecker

                                                                          Ditto

                                                              Acorns from Burr Oak

                                                                Great Blue Heron

                                                               Orange Sulphur

                                                        Double-crested Cormorants

                                                         
                                                    Double-crested Cormorant in Flight

                                                       Brown Recluse Spider(?)


Most of these photos were from today.  I had another morning off, which allowed for many of these shots.  It was a cool 60 degrees, and the cormorant population is increasing.  Before we know it, the frost will be on the pumpkin, and my favorites, the ducks will be here!

                                                               Eastern Meadowlark

                                                          Immature Male House Sparrow

                                                            Female House Sparrow

Clear/light and variable winds/low 70's

Surprises are in store for us everywhere.  All we need to do is look at nature with an open mind, and she will do the rest.