Canada Goose Pair, First Light

                                                              Female Ruddy Duck

                                                            Female Lesser Scaup

                                                           Female Belted Kingfisher

                                                      Great Blue Heron Stretches

21-32 degrees/0745-1000/clear skies/15 mph winds

Yes, I have lost it all right.  Since many things are happening already in the world of birds, I don't want to miss any more than I am forced.  Luckily, my work schedule is conducive to a bit more freedom this week, so I am taking full advantage.  I saw a few things today that provided a great deal of encouragement, and as each day passes, I hope to show you more in the world of wildlife and teach you wonderful things.

Please get a bird feeder if you don't have one, perhaps even two.  When the ground is frozen it gets more and more difficult for birds to get nourishment.  They also need water, and there are heaters specifically made for birdbaths.  If you want to make a difference, and help our feathered friends survive, nature will thank you by gracing your yards as much as possible.

Black oil sunflower seeds provide the most calories during the colder months.  Thanks in advance everyone, and I love you for being you.

Featuring the Fall and Winter Lineup--Ducks of Boomer Lake

                                                                  American Coot

                                                                Horned Grebes

                                                                  Great Blue Heron

                                                              Male Ruddy Duck

                                                    Ruddy Duck Pair(Male on Right)

                                                           Red-breasted Merganser

                                                        Red-breasted Mergansers

                                                               Male Ruddy Duck

partly cloudy/0745-0900 hrs/15 mph winds/31 degrees

All right, everyone, I have just discovered that I am seriously taking leave of my senses.  Who in their right MINDS would  go outside in the freezing temperatures in heaven-only-knows-what wind chill in order to get these pictures for you?  A darn serious birder or a completely daft fool.  In any event, here they are, so enjoy.  By the way, this is the first time that I have ever seen the Eared Grebe and the Red-breasted Merganser.

This Week's Adventures in My World of Birding

This Man and His Eagle Rehabilitated Each Other

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO0O0SAgPuc

                                                           Northern Mockingbird

                                             Greater Scaup Pair(Female about to dive, right)

                                                           Male Greater Scaup

                                                      Double-crested Cormorants

                                         Male Bufflehead Running on Water(Mating Ritual)

                                              Male Buffleheads Courting Female(Center)

                                                             Female Bufflehead

                                                                 Male Bufflehead

                                                   Great Blue Heron "And She Said…"

                                                                Ruddy Ducks

 
                                                             Male Greater Scaup

                                                        Double-crested Cormorants

                                                                       Ditto

                                                     Double-crested Cormorant in Flight

                                                                 Pied-billed Grebe

                                                                 Ruddy Duck

                                                           Pied-billed Grebe

42 degrees/partly cloudy/15 mph winds/075-0930

It was cool this morning, no questions asked.  The life on the lake was active, and as you can see, several interesting poses were obtained.  December will prove even more interesting with Redheads and Canvasbacks, but right now, I am enjoying the courtship rituals of the Buffleheads.  It is common for several males to court the same female and she remains quite aloof during this process.  Sound familiar in your world, guys?

What Really Happens Within a Birdhouse

http://www.tastefullyoffensive.com/2013/11/inside-birdhouse-british-beverage.html

                                                                Great Blue Heron

                                                          Northern Mockingbird

                                                                Ruddy Ducks

                                                       Double-crested Cormorants

                                              Double-crested Cormorants and Canada Geese

                                                              Ornamental Grasses

                                                            Eastern Bluebird
                                                       

                                                           Red-bellied Woodpecker

                                       
                                              American Goldfinch, Non-Breeding Plumage

low '50's/0800-0945/partly cloudy/light and variable winds

This was another rare morning, where I had enough time to view the Northern Reaches to see who was hiding there.  This is where I captured the photos of the last three birds.  Now that fall is here, it is easier to find the birds that hide in this area, due to less leaves. However, this will be a short-lived time, as many of the birds will disappear with the lack of cover.  Perhaps on Wednesday, I can obtain a few more birds, like the elusive little White-breasted Nuthatch.  Wish me luck!