120322 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-visited-by-some-early-birds/article_37fd8e76-710b-11ed-8ad4-bbf06ecfa839.html 

020522 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-some-beautiful-birds-out-ahead-of-bad-weather/article_1a39bd98-8538-11ec-9c67-7b4ec14175be.html 

101321 Summer and Fall 2021

 052521                                                        Green Heron Adult

060321                                              Green Heron Nestlings, Clutch 1

060521                                       Green Heron Nestlings Clutch 1, View 2

All we had was one clutch of young birds this year.  If there were more, it could not be seen due to the thickness and height of the shrubbery around Heron Cove.

080321                                                            Lark Sparrow

It was somewhat of a surprise to find a group of these sparrows, but it was a nice surprise.

091521                                                         Franklin's Gull

091621                                                  Mourning Dove

101021                                                     Green-winged Teal 

                                                             American Wigeon and others

                    

                                                                 Blue-Winged Teal

                                                                   Blue-winged Teal

101121                                                     American Avocets

These were the birds from the recent bad weather.  The ducks were early and a big surprise was the Cinnamon Teal, though all of them weren't really expected yet.  Birds are resilient and know what hazards bad weather can bring.  They were safe on the water.

101221                                                    Great Blue Heron

This heron was in the company of another, which is unusual as they are solitary birds unless they are breeding.  It is very possible that the other bird was offspring, which would make sense at this time of year.

Sorry for waiting so long to post, but now everything is current.

073121 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/life-at-boomer-lake-birding-proving-beneficial-in-these-times/article_3cfa46f8-f191-11eb-9454-333b4ba5d129.html 

050821. Muskogee Edition, Birding Today

https://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/birding-today-birds-live-longer-than-previously-thought/article_3fbf7fd4-057e-5601-91ea-60b32861cb07.html 

022821 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/life-at-boomer-lake-some-special-sights-of-unique-birds/article_9ca3847a-77d9-11eb-92cb-6bd9aa40bd83.html 

011721 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/life-at-boomer-lake-familiar-sights-sounds-of-area-avians/article_450e28c8-579f-11eb-aff5-cffb3056ef17.html 

101720 September-October Migrants at Boomer Lake, Stillwater, OK

092320                                                           Least Sandpiper 

092820                                                          Pied-billed Grebes

Migration began in September, and this was one of the earlier photos this fall.  This was the day that I found a total of 26 grebes, but I believe the highest count this year was 98 in April (spring migration) at the same location.  Between spring and fall, one grebe that was chosen for food was located on Shorebird Jetty.

101220                                                          Franklin's Gull

This was one of multiple Franklin's Gulls, which is a common migrant heading south.

101620                                                     Orange-crowned Warbler

We're in one of the higher migrant days, and this was one of several species that was located in this general area.

                                                                Yellow-rumped Warbler   

This lovely specimen was one of multiple yellow-rumps AKA butterbutts found in the same Bradford pear as the Orange-crowned Warbler, not far from where it was.

                                                        White-crowned Sparrow, View 1 

This was the only example of this species that I observed in the same area as the above warblers.  It also enjoyed being photographed, staying for several minutes.

                                                       White-crowned Sparrow, View 2

                                                                    Broad-winged Hawk

This hawk wasn't far from where the above birds were located, but far enough to attract attention if it tried to go after all of them.  They had plenty of observant eyes all about them.

                                               

                                                                      Great Blue Heron

This was the highlight on Shorebird Jetty.  This is a great blue that was hatched this year.  The gray feathers denotes a first fall bird.

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.

Summer Fun in Oklahoma

071620                                                      Great Blue Heron

One of the area residents chooses to show himself through heavy foliage of Heron Cove.  Nonetheless, he proves to be a handsome example.  The area is aptly named.

072320                                                     Eastern Phoebe

This lovely example provides a serious example of what nature offers in Central Oklahoma.

080620                                                  Spotted Sandpiper

                                                                    Great Egret

Fishing day proves to go well for this summer resident.

080620                                                      Great Egret 2

081820                                                     Great Blue Heron

A shining example of fun in the sun, just like Great Egret.

                                                                  Least Sandpiper

A common bird in the area during migration.

051620 Storms to Yard Birds and Back Again

051420                                                      Great Blue Heron

Shortly after writer was on the lake, it began raining to some degree, forcing me to believe that this would be a fast trip.  The roiling clouds showed unsettled weather but it wasn't supposed to rain for an hour.  Figuring that either the birds just arrived and came down or they did the night before, chances were good that there would be a few things on the lake.  Not really so, other than several Snowy Egrets flying in the direction of the wind, away from the storm.  Even Shorebird Jetty showed little for birds.  The jetty was also very windy, beginning S-18, finally gusting to 31 mph.  Batten down the hatches.

This Great Blue Heron landed upon Shorebird jetty while wind and rain were part of the general atmosphere.  I observed the bird in what appeared like slow motion.  Its wings were outstretched to keep if from being thrust into the forward-facing wind and it bounced as it came down.  It was also at a run, rapidly slowing down to keep from going into the high water that was nearly lapping at the shores of the jetty, nearly cresting the land.

Several minutes of this and a northbound flying Great Egret made me wonder if we might not be soon heading for Kansas, but we remained safe.  Needless to say, when the clouds parted, it was best to head back to base.  The rain never stopped, even with the partly cloudy weather after the front went through.

051520                                                        Least Flycatcher

It was not raining (yet), but it was warm and humid.  Birding was better.  Having found seven Franklin's Gulls upon the water, it was impossible to get good shots due to the darkness.  A Bell's Vireo was heard north of where there was an adult last year prior to fireworks, yet it slowly made its way closer to The Cove, singing all the way.  An American Redstart was briefly spotted and heard in the run of trees south of Bald Cypress Row.  There were more birds there, but I was unable to hear or see any more.   Swainson's Thrush was in the southern line of trees west of Bald Cypress Row in song, the tremolo effect just like the Veery and Song Thrush.  The bird has a well developed syrinx, which makes its dual song similar to the double sound of a twelve string guitar.  It sounds almost ethereal with the quality of reverberation.   Since Swainson's had been in the area for the past two weeks, my curiosity had been piqued to hear its song, which finally happened for the first time today.  It was worth waiting for.  Also located was a male Common Yellowthroat and over two hundred Cedar Waxwings were heard in two hours.  All they cared about was stripping mulberry bushes and trees of the ripe fruit, then they wafted away in song to seek more.

051620

Slightly cooler, mostly cloudy and a little rain opened the day at Boomer Lake.  There was a high count of three Barn Swallows and six Cliff Swallows around the Lakeview Road Bridge.  Three Carolina Chickadees, one parent and two immatures, were found on the north end of Heron Cove in the line of trees off the water at the bottom of the hill midway between The Cove and Shorebird Jetty, as was a Least Flycatcher.  A female robin was coaxing her older immature down a Bald Cypress.  There were five Spotted Sandpipers, a northbound Great Egret, a total of four Green Herons, one at The Cove and three more that may have come from Boomer Creek.  Two out of the three soon returned north.  Two Bell's Vireos were found, one just shy of Heron Cove and the other in the deciduous trees between the northeast jetty and Goose Island.  Three male Eastern Bluebirds were hawking insects from the power lines while four or five Western Kingbirds filled the skies with boisterous activity.  A conservative three dozen Cedar Waxwings were in search of breakfast all over the lake, likely many more.  A male and female Orchard Oriole lay claim to separate territories, while a dozen Yellow Warblers filled the air with song, and a Turkey Vulture rode thermals alone.

051620                                               Immature Barred Owl

                                                                Tufted Titmouse

These above beauties were obtained through an invitation.  An area resident though of writer today and wanted to share the immature Barred Owl, since I had never seen one.  It was a wonderful afternoon as a result.  The titmouse was a bonus, as were several other birds that I didn't photograph.

042120 Here We Are At Migrant Central

   041920                                              Bonaparte's Gulls

   042020                                                      Orchard Oriole

First day at the lake.  Baltimore Orioles were right behind, one of which was here near my residence before this oriole.

    
  042120                                                   Blue-winged Teal

There was a total of eleven of these at Boomer this morning.

                                                                 Savannah Sparrow

There were three on Shorebird Jetty alone.  There were five or six spotted.

                                                                  Least Sandpiper

Two on Shorebird Jetty.  Migration is quite active active with a lot to offer today.

                                                            Yellow-headed Blackbird

Six were fueling up on Shorebird Jetty, while these three took their time.

                                                                    Lesser Scaup

Still coming through the area.  The scaup were not far off the point of Shorebird Jetty when they took to the air.  They preferred settling on the east side of the jetty and were much closer by choice.

                                                                 American Avocet

This group of 35 arrived shortly before 0800 and as is their habit they made around six passes over the lake.  They were flushed a few times, by both a Bald Eagle and an Osprey, which you'll see shortly.

                                                                   Lesser Scaup

As can be seen, their plumage is very striking.  They were only twelve feet from the shore.

                                                                 Mallard Ducklings
                                                                   First of the Year

This is the first group that we've observe this year, obviously some were adopted.  There were eleven.  Mother and father are not far.

                                                                Mallard Ducklings
                                                                        View 2

                                                                Grasshopper Sparrow

It was surprising to see this sparrow up in a cottonwood tree near the water, a typical riparian area.
It must have been desperate for a rest and sustenance.

                                                              Great Blue Heron (Rear)
                                                       Double-crested Cormorants (Front)

Writer considered this a striking pose, something not seen every day.  The Great Blue Heron is a second year individual.

                                                                         Osprey

Pretty close, eh?  This raptor was in the area the entire morning.  It was spotted on the return trip.

                                                                    Green Heron
                                                                  "The Patriarch"

Before we called it a day, it was in order to check The Cove to see if Green Heron was here yet.  It was not disappointing.  Also made a swing by to see if the Summer Tanager arrived, but not quite yet.
The mulberry bush near here has berries just starting that were pollinated over the past ten days or so.

Overall this was an excellent birding day with 56 species in a four hour day.