Translate

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.

101815 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-some-water-birds-move-in-while/article_0470e0a8-751e-11e5-aadb-2fcd82c25bc3.html

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.  

101115 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-summer-birds-give-way-to-fall/article_2f089fe0-6f97-11e5-b122-5fcf66d97671.html