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.

                                                                  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.

                                                     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.

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.