The Green Heron Adventures, Including Meeting a Diamond-backed Watersnake

                                                           Green Heron Fledgling
                                 

                                                     Face-off Between Adult and Fledgling

                                                       Green Heron Adult (rear) with Fledgling
                                                                                 (front)

                                                                     Smooth Arrival

                                             
                                               Green Heron Adult Between Trees 2 and 3

                                                                 Leaving the Perch

                                                         Green Heron Adult Taking Off

                                                          Green Heron adult building nest

                                                         Diamond-backed Watersnake

                                       
                                              Diamond-backed Watersnake (L) with Fledgling
                                                                         Green Heron

                                    

                                                             Looking For That Big Snake!

                                                         Green Heron Clutch 2 Tree 3

                                                                           
                                                             I know dad's coming!

                                                                     Yelling for dad

                                                                         Dad's gone!

06-28-18

0700-0831/81-84 F/clear/S-11/69-68% RH/29.95-29.97 Hg and steady/SSE-6 to S-9


By the time 0800, rolled around, the Cove was a hotbed of pure activity.  There were two
older fledglings in attendance (as well as an easy four foot diamond-backed watersnake).
The older fledge was eyeing this good-sized reptile, then went looking for it when it rolled
off its log into the water.

There were a couple of subadults that come in for baby care, which prepares them for their
own young in their third year.  They have been tending to the fledglings by teaching them
hunting skills and how to be successful in survival.

Only three adults have been observed, but one nest was just made in tree 2.  The sires came
from trees one and three, but I expect at least one or two more clutches afterward.

As noted earlier, both older fledges are very flighted, as they had to be in order to get to land.
It was a rough year after breeding last year with several god storms, which brought down limbs
and branches that were used for egress.  Now that those are gone, nest and tree time is much longer.

Older young birds still expect the adults to feed them, but the adults don't play around with that
mentality long.  They want their young to be earning their keep as quickly as possible so they can
raise more young.

Today, one of the adults led the younger bird (clutch 2) on a flying chase.  Oddly, after that workout the little one disappeared, likely going to sleep.  They don't possess a great deal of endurance at
that age, but in a week, they will be a lot stronger and more able to care for themselves and even younger birds.

Green Heron Clutch One and Two From Boomer Lake

                                            Green Heron Adult Choosing Sticks For Nest

                                                 Green Heron Fledgling Clutch 1, Tree 1

                                                                    Ditto, Position 2

                                                                       Ditto, Position 3

                                                Green Heron Fledgling, Clutch 2, Tree 3

                                                                  Ditto, Position 2

                                            Green Heron Fledgling, Clutch 2 Tree 3 (Rear)
                                                                    Parent (Front)

                                                             Ditto, After Parent Left

                                                          Green Heron Parent (Front)
                                                     Fledgling Clutch 2 Tree 3 (Rear)

                                                    Same Fledgling, In Pursuit of Parent


06-27-18

0700-0816/82-84 F/partly cloudy/S-12/68% RH/29.91-29.92 Hg and steady


First day for actual Green Heron observation, prior visits were casual, as parents not known to investigator this year.

Opening photo is adult collecting sticks for nesting.  At this time, a new nest is working in tree
3, as well as tree two.

This year, fledglings were late in touching down on terra firma out of nests, due to the fact that there is no egress.  Both birds had to be somewhat flighted (both likely in neighborhood of three weeks of age) in order to safely leave nest area(s).  Former limbs and branches have rotted away and broken off, which are still apparent on land and in the water.

Three adults arrived about a week early, settling in right away (Late May to early June).  Casual observations yielded early nest building and young herons were hatched approx. one week early due to appropriate weather conditions and ample food sources.

First fledge observed came from tree 1, nest fairly well in view, both parents shared nesting duties up until four days ago.  Nest is still unoccupied by adults, though it still is visited to some degree, perhaps being dismantled for new nest.  No additional young observed in tree 1.

Second fledge from tree 3 observed on 06-28-18.  Both birds shown and so noted.

Not Often Seen Older Fledgling Barn Swallows

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                                                 Three of Four Barn Swallow Fledglings

                                                   Four of Four Barn Swallow Fledglings


06-22-18

0700-0841/73-78 F/partly to mostly cloudy/W-8/65-61% RH/29.94-29.95 Hg and rising

Not seen too often, these birds have been out of their mud nest under the Lakeview Rd. bridge
for a few days now.  These fledgling Barn Swallows can be identified by the white downy feathers
still on their bodies.  As they reach adulthood, they will have the long forked tail.  Notice the small tan forehead stripe, as opposed to an adult's dark forehead.

They had been perched on a snag near land off the sidewalk near the intersection of Lakeview Rd. and Husband St.

The high point of numbers for both Cliff and Barn Swallows are greatly lessening in numbers.  Both species only have one clutch per year.  These will be my only photos of juvenile Barn Swallows this year.

52 Million Year Old Fossil From sub-Saharan Africa Found In Western United States

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-44604170

062418 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/life-at-boomer-lake-avians-getting-lay-of-the-land/article_d3a2fc70-7715-11e8-a1a2-1f4083253fba.html

062418 Muskogee Edition, Birding Today

http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/lifestyles/birding-today-birds-practice-hybridization/article_7aefb344-13f3-5a2a-a116-640582159646.html

Heavy Metal Still Real Concern For Close to Thriving California Condor

http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/elist/eListRead/california_condors_reestablishing_range_golden_state/

Scotland's Puffins Appear to Be In Dire Straits

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/20/a-world-without-puffins-the-uncertain-fate-of-the-much-loved-seabirds

Banned Pesticide Killed Thirteen Bald Eagles on Eastern Shore

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/us/bald-eagles-dead-maryland.html

Sounds of Silence In the Night Help Time Birds Arrival Upon Northern Breeding Grounds

https://phys.org/news/2018-06-climate-changeresearchers-ai-field-songbird.html

Starring the Cliff Swallow

                                                                     Barn Swallow

                                                                      Cliff Swallow

                                                Cliff Swallows including recently fledged

                                                          More Cliff Swallows In Flight

                                                                            Ditto

                                                                            Ditto

                                                     Adult and Juvenile Cliff Swallows

                                                                          Ditto

                                                               

06-18 and 06-19-18

Last month when we visited Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, my mind was made up that this was going to be the year that Cliff Swallows would be part of my photo lineup.

Swallows are some of the most challenging to photograph, especially the Cliff Swallows, as they rarely are at rest.  With this being the end of fledglings, it was the most logical time to make this attempt and succeed.

It still was not terribly easy, but the bonus was getting shots of the fledglings, too.

You may have heard that swallow feet are very tiny and rudimentary, which is true in the cases of some of them.  For those that don't perch on their feet much, muscles will atrophy and lose their strength.

Take as close a look at the feet of these birds as possible, and you'll noticed that they appear to be quite small for their size.  You'll notice the young ones clinging to the wall of the bridge in order to keep purchase.  That could be the most workout that those little feet will get.

Soon, I will choose a grouping of photos to include all the swallows in my photo gallery so that you might observe some of this family of birds, the Hirundinidae.

I still have yet to photograph the Bank and Cave Swallows, so wish me luck.  It just might happen eventually and when it does, you'll be the first to know

Life In the Breeding Season Lane at Boomer Lake

                                                                 Brown Thrasher

                                                                          Ditto

                                                 Male Great-tailed Grackle and Fledgling

                                                         Great-tailed Grackle Fledgling

                                                                   Green Heron Adult

                                                                      Eastern Phoebe

                                                               

                                                                   American Robin

                                                                     Barn Swallow

                                                               Red-winged Blackbird


First Half June 2018

There has been a great deal of activity this year, not that there was appreciably less last year, BUT there were less birds.  Every year, though, some species tend to outweigh others, and this year is no different.

Some species arrived a little earlier, set up at nesting sites, but didn't begin nesting until the usual time.  Other species began nesting right away and lost clutches due to a spring cold snap, but the important thing is that they tried again.

With our earth heating up as it is, it is going to be trial and error, especially when it comes to birds that has a relationship with water, namely shores and beaches, as their food supply is drifting northeast where it is cooler.

This is a small sample of breeding birds and fledglings, as well as nesting birds that are doing their jobs as best they can in a somewhat trying time were they must make adjustments for extra heat and food sources.

All the birds shown are generalist species, not specialists, who will have a more difficult time.  Will they survive as time marches on?  We'll see, and if they do--like the Greater and Lesser Prairie Chickens and other prairie specialties, they will have to make adjustments, which they are not used to doing.

Like you, I certainly hope that they can.

The Evils of Neonicotinoids and GMO Seeds

For a decade, I have been explaining the problems with pesticides and herbicides.  They create runoff into every body of water that there is and there is no stopping them unless you refuse to use them.  This is why there is a Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico and the hazards are only going to increase.  If only you did a blood test to detect these chemicals, you would understand.

The very animals and insects that you are trying to save are only being destroyed by the plants that you are growing in your gardens.  You are also doing that to yourselves, if you are eating the vegetables that you grow, too, unless they are heirloom seeds or GMO Free.

Watch the video to get a clear picture of how the EPA is not protecting us, and how Big Ag is calling the shots.

Nearly Extinct Brown Fish Owl Rescued In Southern Turkey

https://www.dailysabah.com/environment/2018/06/18/endangered-brown-fish-owl-rescued-in-southern-turkey

061718 Muskogee Edition, Birding Today

http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/lifestyles/birding-today-birds-have-astounding-song-capabilities/article_1e1928d6-ef3a-5abd-a16b-d70a445c4b9b.html

061718 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-getting-birds-to-trust-you/article_a4eeed6c-b7af-5855-be5e-f898b908e5d8.html

Nutria Causing Problems on Louisiana's Barrier Islands by Ingesting Breeding Bird Eggs

https://www.nola.com/expo/news/erry-2018/06/c2f7801aae3245/nutria_dont_just_eat_the_wetla.html

Elusive Negros Bleeding-heart Dove Recently Photographed in Wilds of Philippines

https://news.mongabay.com/2018/06/footage-of-elusive-negros-bleeding-heart-dove-captured-in-the-wild/

Direct Link Between Marine Heatwaves and Marine Bird Mortality Events

https://phys.org/news/2018-06-ocean-junk-food-prey-massive-seabird.html

Latter Half of May 2018 Is Time to Reflect and Count Our Large Bounty of Birds

                                                             Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

                                                                Adult Green Heron

                                                                 Mallard Ducklings

                                                               Male Orchard Oriole

                                                               Mallard Ducklings

                                                             Neotropic Cormorant

                                                 Two Out of Three Neotropic Cormorants

                                                                 American Bison

                                                              Great-tailed Grackle

                                                                 Canada Gosling


Last Half of May 2018


We were officially past migration, but as you know, there are always going to be exceptions to the
rule.  There are always going to be exceptions and no rules anymore, because with future heat
waves, we'll be see a lot more unusual birds.  Winters will be colder and things are going to be changing more and faster than we dreamed possible.

Our Green Herons returned to colonize their Heron Cove and quite frankly, I don't believe that I know any of them.  We appear to have a completely new crop, but since they are all breeding age, it could well be the hormones talking, so it would stand to reason that they would be ignoring me.

They were left alone since they arrived in the breeding area a little earlier than usual and they appeared to be anxious, so there was no reason to provide the opportunity to force them to move on, so I stayed as far away as possible.  There is no question that we now have a nest, which I believe is occupied.  There could even be a second nest, but I only saw twigs going to another spot.

The American Bison was not at Boomer Lake, so don't get your hopes up.  This beauty came to us
courtesy of the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, and I know that this its the closest that I have ever come to a male bison.  He took it all in stride, so I got my shot and returned to the confines of the car.

There are a couple of cute shots of Canada Geese and Mallard ducklings, Neotropic Cormorants, and an unusual shot of our state bird, the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

The shot of the Orchard Oriole is more attuned to their wintering grounds in the tropics, as this is a common posture there.

Naturally, it was important to include at least one shot of the colorful Great-tailed Grackle.

Just because I didn't grace this segment with a lot of birds doesn't mean that they weren't here.  They certainly are and were, but I was looking for a little more unusual variety this time around.