052621 Spring Into Spring with Our Green Heron First Family

043021                                                     Carolina Chickadee

This little beauty was out with its mate, checking for a nest cavity.  Writer had seen where it was contemplating nesting, though a Downy Woodpecker was trying to usurp the same area even if it was much larger than the chickadee.  The Downy's size was much too great for the thin snag.

050821                                                       Red Eared Slider

This lovely was close to shore, but it was easy to stay covered by leaves to get this shot and remain hidden to the subject.

051421                                                          American Coot

Even though morning had been broken, the area coots didn't mind being observed.  Look at those unusual lobed toes that are so well adapted to uneven surfaces!

051521                                                   Canada Goose (Gosling)

Knowing a kid's parents will get you right in the front row to photograph the youngster. 

                                                                   Clay Colored Sparrow

This slightly wet all-star was with roughly eight other migrants and this one didn't mind being the center of attention.

 

                                                                     American Avocet

There were eight sandpipers wheeling around the lake multiple times, which afforded this nice shot of a bird's-eye-view.  How cliche, right?

052521                                                         Least Flycatcher

Least Flycatchers are easy to shoot IF you see one.  We were eye to eye.

                                                           Green Heron and Nestlings 1

One view of some of the first family of 2021.

                                                            Green Heron and Nestlings 2

View two with some of each bird in the photo.

                                                             Green Heron and Nestling 3

The other one must have ducked under the parent.

The Newest Kids in the 'Hood Come Down the Nest Tree

                                                          Green Heron Chicks, Clutch 3

                                                         Green Heron Chick, Clutch 2

                                                            Green Heron Chick, Clutch 3

                                                     Two Out of Three (Eldest), Clutch 3

                                                      Eldest Green Heron Chick, Clutch 3

                                                        Green Heron Juvenile, Clutch 2

                                                        Green Heron Juveniles, Clutch 2

                                                                     Ditto, Position 2

                                                          Green Heron Chick, Clutch 2

                                                          Green Heron Chick, Clutch 3

                                                                   Red Eared Slider


July 6, 2016

0850-0950 hrs./80-88 degrees F(felt like 90)/partly cloudy/15 mph SSE winds/72% RH

Prior to going out slightly later, the cloud cover was very heavy with no light coming through.
When the youngsters got out of bed at the crack of 0845, the action began soon after.  They were
coaxed out of their immediate nest tree area by the young of clutch 2.  They still showed some
instability, but the older birds were handy, along with a parent in the area at all times.  The family
seems to have chick rearing down to a science, which is good introductory material for the older
youngsters in clutch 2.

The littlest ones didn't stay out long, as they still have a lot of down feathers, which is not good protection from the sun.  When they were feeling the heat, they just went back to the protection
of the tree boughs.

                                                        Green Heron Juvenile, Clutch 2

                                                                          Ditto

                                                                   Green Heron Adult

                                                        Green Heron Juvenile, Clutch 2

                                                                     Clutch 2 Members

                                                          Green Heron Chicks, Clutch 3

                                                           Clutch 3 Green Heron Chick

                                                  Clutch 3 Chicks Coming Down the Tree

                                                         Green Heron Chicks, Clutch 3
                                                       (Just After Being Fed by Parent)

                                                            Green Heron Chick, Clutch 3


July 7, 2016

0730-0840 hrs./82-83 degrees F (feels like 88)/mostly cloudy/16 mph S winds/67% RH


An adult and the clutch 2 juveniles were all strategically placed while the clutch 3 chicks
were coaxed into coming out of the safe confines of the outer area where the nest was near.
They made it down the tree and into the open without incident, even though they are still somewhat unsteady on their feet, but this will improve with experience.

This was the day that they were fed by a parent in the open.  Soon after the parent left, they
returned to the inner sanctum of the nest tree, but the final picture shows one holdout.  The final
member of clutch tree returned to the nest area after a short time.

Pass Out the Cigars, We Are Parents!

                                                        Juvenile Red-winged Blackbird

                                                                    Great Blue Heron
                                                                "Silent Sentinel Series"

                                                      Great-tailed Grackles(parent on left)

                                                                Male Baltimore Oriole

                                                                   Green Heron

                                                                       Great Egret

Red Eared Slider

                                                                           

Great Egret in Flight

                                                                 

                                                               Red-bellied Woodpecker

                                                       Juvenile Red-bellied Woodpecker

                                                                      Great Egret

                                                                   Juvenile Mallard

                                                                     Eastern Kingbird

                                                             Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
                                                                       Yellow Form

                                                               Fledgling Green Heron


June 6 through June 9, 2016 photos

mean temperature average 71-83 degrees F/0650-0945 hrs./partly cloudy/10 mph S winds

The past several days were worth their weight in gold.  There are plenty of young birds on the east
side of the lake, as well as Boomer Creek.  An educated guess regarding youngsters is one hundred
to one hundred twenty birds, and that is a very conservative estimate.  Everywhere one turns, the
sounds of food demands is heard.  All one must do is look around and it isn't hard to see the bird
that belongs to the voice being heard.

The most prevalent fledges at the moment are those of the woodpecker family, which I had a grave
concern about over the winter, due to the European Starlings that tend to kill woodpeckers and take
over their cavities.  I'm certain that some of this did occur, but there are good numbers of young
woodpeckers this year.  It is a pleasure to report three Red-bellied Woodpeckers and six Taiga Northern Flickers on Boomer Creek alone, and that is without venturing into the wooded area.

Great Egrets have emerged from the rookery and are fishing on the main part of the lake.  All of
these shots were obtained over a two day period with many more to follow as these birds are used
to me as a permanent fixture.

It is generally hard to find an Eastern Kingbird that will look you in the eye, but it can be done, as
photographed here.

This Eastern Tiger Swallowtail followed me at the creek until I photographed it, and it gave me
the perfect scenery for that.  Butterflies have their time with my lens, too.

The best news I saved for last.  We are parents again with young Green Herons!  Pictures for the
second youngster, who fledged this morning will be coming soon.  Congratulations to Green Heron
family #1!

Minstrels in the Musical

                                                                   Great Blue Heron

                                                                     Mississippi Kite

                                                                       Box Turtle

                                                                       Green Heron

                                                                       Great Egret

                                                                    Great Blue Heron

                                                                            Ditto

                                                                          In Flight

                                                                       Great Egret

                                                                   Red Eared Slider


0711-0951 hrs./78-86 degrees F/partly cloudy/15 mph wind gusts

Many beautiful sights are just a click away, but you must remember that you must take
what you are given.  These are the things that make a beautiful day even more so.  Even
the sights that weren't photographed are some of the things indelibly etched upon the mind's
eye that may never be forgotten.

Before we know it, fall will be kissing the denizens of Boomer Lake and with each priceless
animal, it leaves a piece of itself there.  It is something that we will enjoy for many years to come.
All visitors are acknowledged in one way or another, and I am thankful that they have allowed me
to see them.

In the meantime, enjoy the sights, sounds, and memories from me to you.