Sunday, October 25, 2015
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
The Lady of the Lake's Birds at Their Best
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron at Northern Reaches
Eastern Phoebe with Lunch
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
0740-1020 hrs./61-66 degrees F/partly cloudy to cloudy, then showers/13-17 mph wind gusts
These are assorted shots between Boomer Lake and The Northern Reaches. As the leaves fall, visibility increases, so the animal life is easier to see. I'm still hoping for more chances at a
decent photo of the Pileated Woodpecker, any of the kinglets, and the hawk and owl families.
This could all be wishful thinking, so all I can do is try.
Migratory movement is still occurring, and many, many ducks will be coming through, especially when the cold starts. Bundle up, and some of the sights could be well worth it for you. I plan to
be out there, and even with my northern blood, the winds can still make it pretty unbearable
at the lake.
What moves me is dancing Great Blue Herons on the ice, some of my dream birds, and I am
hopeful for that special find that I have never had before. If it is going to happen, this will be the
year.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Stillwater International Airport on Boomer Lake Has Flights Coming and Going
(Juvenile)Southwestern Red-tailed Hawk
Turkey Vulture
(Non-breeding) Eastern Bluebird
Pied-billed Grebe
Great Blue Heron
0745-1020/52-60 degrees F/partly cloudy/building to 20 mph wind gusts
There's plenty of activity on the lake and the creek over the past couple of days. As a
matter of fact, it's almost like an international airport observing all the different flight patterns.
However, birds don't need to be directed or instructed like human pilots, as they have been
flying since they were knee-high to a grasshopper, so staying in one piece comes naturally.
The fall birds are coming in, and some of the summer birds are on their way out. Keep your eyes
on the skies for most of the action, especially in early mornings.
Killdeer populations have temporarily increased, as have the meadowlark family. Hawks and
kin are quite prevalent, as are their activities. What few Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are left are
still living up to their latin names and terrorizing the raptors and vultures.
Blue Jays are caching for the winter months and have their noses into everything. Ducks are
spending a little time before they move through, and some are passing us by until the weather gets colder. A couple of Northern Pintail flew by early this morning, but a handful of American Wigeon
are in the middle of the lake now.
There is more yet to come, so grab a coffee and settle in for the ride. Tell 'em that I sent ya.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
If Only I Could Fly, Too
Double-crested Cormorant
Ditto
Ditto
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Belted Kingfisher
American Coots
Northern Cardinal
Blue-winged Teal Juveniles
Great Egret
52-67 degrees F/0740-1030 hrs./sunny/light and variable winds
Still reasonably good migratory movement with a lot of ducks arriving now. Yesterday, the Greater Roadrunner was observed being secretive, 17 Meadowlark were in a field, the Bald Eagle has been back and forth, and today, the Belted Kingfisher allowed a photo op. The Pileated Woodpecker was heard, as well as seen, and a poor photo was obtained. The wood chips were flying in all directions thanks to him, and most of the woodpecker clan was out, except the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
A lot of activity was in The Northern Reaches, and I am still holding out for both the Ruby- and Golden-crowned Kinglets. If I can get a better photo of that pileated, I'll take that, too. Here's to you, kid.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Migratory movement is Still Medium-High
Male American Kestrel
Immature Blue-winged Teal
Migratory American Avocets
Migratory Double-crested Cormorants
American Coot
Immature Great Blue Heron
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Chickadee
Double-crested Cormorant
Nashville Warbler
56-77 degrees F/0730-1050 hrs./clear skies/15 mph wind gusts
Migratory movement is medium high with a great deal of guests gracing our skies. Hawks
are also moving through the area, yet we still have plenty of resident birds. While looking
at a large group of Turkey Vultures, my attention was drawn even higher by my binoculars to
discover a Broad-winged Hawk, which is relatively rare in this area. What few birds are left
won't be around too much longer, yet we still have some oddball stragglers still coming through
the area like Bell's Vireo, the Orchard Oriole, Dickcissel, and a few others still winging their
way south. There are even a few earlier arrivals, and this year, nothing will really hold true to
form. There will still be plenty of activity that awaits, and many more birds yet to arrive, so
sit tight and enjoy the migratory ride.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
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