Showing posts with label Northern Shoveler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Northern Shoveler. Show all posts
Sunday, November 13, 2022
Sunday, April 10, 2022
Saturday, March 20, 2021
Sunday, March 14, 2021
Saturday, February 29, 2020
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
First Week of May 2019 Boomer Migrants
Summer Tanager
Clay-colored Sparrow
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The above birds were coming through for migration. The two Summer Tanagers were at Heron Cove for two days, and the Clay-colored Sparrows stayed for several days, perhaps up to a week.
White-throated Sparrow
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This beautiful White-throated Sparrow visited for a day, along with several other varieties.
Cedar Waxwing
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This Cedar Waxwing is an irruptive, yet they can be counted on to arrive nearly every year, as of late. This was a very strong year, and at this time, I am not convinced that they will remain irruptive long. Since the northern winters are only getting worse, we may find these visitors to be predisposed to range expansion.
Green Heron On Nest
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This was the first day that I actively searched for a nest in order to not disturb the three Green Herons.
The nest is the lowest that I have ever seen it, though within normal parameters. Two eg were originally discovered, but I believe there are three as of this posting.
Female Ring-necked Duck
This duck was with Northern Shovelers and Blue-winged Teal. There were a total of two Ring-necked Ducks on this date.
Male Northern Shoveler
The group of males were feeling there oats and very intensely affected by a testosterone flow. Some were more combative with one another than some. The few females ignored most of the battles.
Blue-winged Teal Pair
This lovely pair is a nice example of Blue-winged Teal in breeding plumage.
Male Northern Shoveler
This photo shows a nice view of the beautiful colors of a male in breeding plumage.
Willets
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Originally observed from the west end of Heron Cove, I was unable to determine what these large shorebirds were until I got much closer. At a total of 18, these were beautiful examples of a migratory group of Willets not often seen at Boomer Lake.
Saturday, January 26, 2019
December Melds Into January with New Year's More Recent Bird Trappings
Northern Harrier
Pied-billed Grebes
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Bonaparte's Gull
Red-shouldered Hawk
Ruddy Ducks
American Goldfinch
Northern Shoveler
Bonaparte's Gull
mid-December 2018 - mid-January 2019
The only photo worth getting at Christmas Bird Count on northwest Payne County was the distant Northern Harrier shot. It beautifully shows the white uppertail coverts so characteristic of the species.
The remainder are all from Boomer Lake Park, some mornings of which were on the colder side for ducks and other water birds.
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet seems to be coming less often, but as can be noted, it was a fairly good photo. These birds constantly tail flick and are on the move, rarely still for any appreciable amount of time.
The Bonaparte's Gulls were on the lake much more frequently this winter. We have had mostly light freezes but those have been few and far between. Today was more of a medium freeze found closer to the edges f the water, but spread out toward the inner part of the lake. Heron Cove was once again iced over.
We seem to be down to one Ruddy Duck now and winter's hawks make an occasional appearance.
The American Goldfinches are steady visitors this winter. Ducks have been visiting more during the cold, and fortunately this Northern Shoveler provided a nice in flight photo op. Pied-billed Grebes vary in numbers, but there is usually at least one most days and up to six have been observed.
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Monday, February 6, 2017
Days 6 and 7 Have Some Handy Waterfowl
Black Phoebe
Orange-crowned Warbler
Least Grebe
American Avocets (Non-breeding Plumage)
American Avocet
Sora (Rear, By Reeds)
Sora (Same Location)
Mottled Duck
Blue-winged Teal (Far Left)
Northern Shoveler (Center)
Northern Shoveler
Osprey
Northern Shoveler (Left)
Northern Pintail (Right)
Green-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Ditto
01-19 through 01-20-17
The Black Phoebe is another endemic bird of specifically this area, and my shot was
relatively successful. At the time, a Border Patrol chopper was flying overhead (yes, I waved)
two more were running down a steep embankment toward the river which border this area, and
arrest two people crossing the river from Mexico to our side. Since Mexico owns the Rio Grande,
it is somewhat easier to arrest people. The important this was that even with all that ruckus, I still
got my Black Phoebe!
The Least Grebe also hails from southern Texas and can be easily identified with that yellow eye.
The American Avocets are still in non-breeding plumage in January. This set of one-behind-the-
other appealed to me, as it was perfectly set.
The little Sora, can be found in any wet, marshy habitat and commonly winters in the area.
The Mottled Duck in easy to identify with the bright yellow bill.
Even though the Northern Pintail is a common duck, I had to come to Texas in order to get a
good photo, as they tend to be further away.
Ospreys are good for showing up in any vicinity that hosts fish, but I had no warning for this shot.
One more second and this bird would have been over a building. The shadows always tell!
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Stars of the South
Female Red-winged Blackbird
Great Blue Heron in Flight
Canada Goose
Male Red-winged Blackbird
Female Northern Shoveler
Male Northern Shoveler
Northern Shoveler Pair
Male Song Sparrow
Male Mallard(Drake)
Male Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Phoebe
0745-0920 hrs./44-45 degrees/15-20 mph wind/full sun
Even though the morning was cool due to the unsettled weather front that moved in yesterday, it was no deterrent for these birds to hold over at Boomer Lake. There were four Northern Shovelers, the first of the season for me at the lake. The Song Sparrow was with his mate near their nest site, belting out his "my territory" vocalization. Also proudly at attention was the male Eastern Bluebird, but if you look closely, you'll notice his deformed beak, which doesn't interfere with his getting plenty of sustenance. The Eastern Phoebe was first of season for me, and I also heard the Eastern Meadowlark, also first of season for me at the lake, in the field on the east side of Husband St. just north of Kicker.
Generally, there will be birds holding over in the area during inclement or unsettled weather, so that is an excellent time for birding. Happy birding!
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