092620 Muskogee Edition, Birding Today

https://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/birding-today-violent-weather-activity-damages-bird-populations/article_ef922fcc-4273-56b2-a804-b65273ed65aa.html 

092620 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/life-at-boomer-lake-seeing-plenty-of-migratory-waders/article_775fd212-ffad-11ea-bf8a-d371702b6ac3.html 

092220 Water Birds of Boomer Lake

091420                                                        Great Blue Heron 

This is a favored spot for the herons as well as the Mallards and domestics.  This bird was trying to get a little fishing in.

092120                                                             Sanderling

This unusual bird was located on the south side of Shorebird Jetty, among several Least Sandpipers.  This spangled juvenile was fresh from the far north about a month ago.  This is the first year that Sanderlings were recorded on Boomer Lake in both spring and fall.  Last spring (2019) was the first time that they were listed on this lake. 

092120 Migratory Gulls, Swallows, Waders, and Shorebirds to the Rescue in Fall

 090420                                                    Spotted Sandpiper

This is a non-breeding bird, common for this time of year.  Though the Spotted Sandpiper is known for its spots, not all birds will sport them now, especially those molting just before migration into winter plumage.

090920                                                          Blue-winged Teal

At first appearance, it appeared that these were simply Blue-winged Teal.  If one looks a little closer, te green speculum can be seen at the edge of the femoral tract.

 

                                                                        Cattle Egret

This loner was among a group of several protective Great Egrets on Shorebird Jetty on this rainy day when many waterbirds were out of the skies.

                                                                      Pectoral Sandpiper

This was a nice find among the many more common individuals.

091020                                                      Great Blue Heron

The "Silent Sentinel" at its best.

                                                                       Least Sandpiper

This may be the smallest sandpiper, but it is still beautiful in breeding plumage.

 

                                                                        Cliff Swallow

It is rare for these birds to be perched due to rudimentary feet, but it happens on occasion.

                                                                      Franklin's Gull

One could say "three on a match."  Note the red tip on the bill, one of the distinguishing characteristics for this species.

Some of these were before and after the Wyoming adventure, but it is always good to return to familiar grounds, especially in the midst of migration.

092020 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/life-at-boomer-lake-many-birds-expected-to-come-at-their-leisure/article_fdaec234-f944-11ea-a764-8b1496e83dff.html

091920 Muskogee Phoenix, Birding Today

https://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/birding-today-identifying-birds-in-the-fall/article_aab96f67-2767-5e20-80b7-4a6063cd0325.html 

091320 Muskogee Edition, Birding Today

https://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/birding-today-frigatebird-have-unusual-sleep-habits/article_b8bb81f0-111b-569d-9267-a9069aa8e3ee.html 

091220 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/life-at-boomer-lake-the-changing-of-the-robust-renegades/article_4258b248-f3b2-11ea-9125-af0619e774dc.html 

091020 Birding On a Shoestring: Wyoming Part 3

082520                                                     Common Merganser

                                                     Grand Teton NP--Jackson Lake Dam area

                                                                      Common Raven

                                                                                         

                                                                   Black-billed Magpie

 082720                                                      Brewer's Blackbird 

                                                                        Ethete area

                                                             Female Greater Sage Grouse

                                                                        Sage Thrasher

                                                                         Wild Horses 1

                                                                       Wild Horses 2

082820                                                          Vesper Sparrow

                                                                          Red Canyon                                   

082920                                                          Trumpeter Swan

                                                                       Ray Lake Marsh

This wound up my time in Wyoming.  My hopes are to be returning soon to locate many more target birds. 

                               

 

090720 Muskogee Edition, Birding Today

https://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/birding-today-support-habitat-today-for-better-future/article_23160a47-d22e-5e7b-b8cc-6b7f9cc3b89a.html

090720 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/life-at-boomer-lake-southbound-birds-heading-this-way-in-september/article_2d90a948-f14a-11ea-aafe-fbe441df2e5f.html

090620 Birding On a Shoestring: Wyoming Within Fremont and Teton Counties

082220                                                            Canada Jay

                                                                           Chipmunk

                                                                          Muskrat

                                                                Chestnut-sided Warbler

082420                                                     White-crowned Sparrow

                                                        White-crowned Sparrow Juvenile

                                                                  Black Bear, View 1

                                                                     Western Tanager

                                                        Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler

                                                                     Black Bear, View 2

                                                                  Black Bear, View 3

                                                                    Black Bear, View 4

                                                                  Green-tailed Towhee

                                                                Moose and Calf, View 1

                                                                     Moose,View 2

                                                                    Moose and Calf, View 3

Moose, black bear and muskrat make up a few mammals in Wyoming and pictures make the experience seem more real.  We also added many wonderful and typical breeding birds of those same locations, along with the flavor of the northern lands.

If one has not experienced Shadow Mountain and the Grand Tetons, what are you waiting for?  Don't delay until winter snows keep you from that breathtaking experience. 

090520 Birding On a Shoestring: Fremont County, WY, Part 1

082020                                                    Black-capped Chickadee

                       

                                                                               Butterfly

                                                                      Metal Sheep Moth

                                                                    Mountain Bluebird

                                                                       Clark's Nutcracker

                                                                       Wilson's Phalarope

                                                                    Western Wood-Pewee

                                                                   Western Meadowlark

082120                                                             Mule Deer

                                                                        Song Sparrow

                                                                         Gray Catbird

                                                                   American Goldfinch

                                                                   Mountain Chickadee

                                                                   Mountain Chickadee 2

                                                                      American Dipper

                                                                   Black-billed Magpie


This was two days worth of birds and animals, which is nothing to be embarrassed about.  Many of these birds are not found in Oklahoma, unless one birds the Panhandle, and even then they can be on the rare side.  Also some of these birds are found in Colorado, right next to OK.

This was an excellent trip overall, and writer strongly recommends it for anyone who weeks a good sample of the birds of the west.