Sunday, November 15, 2015
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Cedar Waxwings Make a Boisterous Fall Entrance
White-throated Sparrow
Female House Finch
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Slate-colored Junco and Chipping Sparrow
Female Slate-colored Junco
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Slate-colored Junco
Under Umbrella of Collective Term
Dark-eyed Junco
Cedar Waxwing
Juvenile Cedar Waxwing
White-throated Sparrow
Tuesday, 11-03-15
0650-1010 hrs./55-65 degrees F/partly cloudy/18 mph winds dropping to light and variable winds
This was an exemplary day, noting the arrival of 46 Cedar Waxwings, including juveniles. This
was also the the second day of a low pressure system and the sun did its best to come through the clouds, but wasn't able to stay for long, providing a very challenging time for pictures. Among this crowd was the White-throated Sparrow, close to a dozen Slate-colored Juncos, which falls under the collective term of Dark-eyed Junco. Juncos have several subspecies, and even though I wished to be in the presence of the Gray-headed Junco, it was not to be. A couple of Chipping Sparrows popped
out from the mix, so there were definitely no complaints.
There were an easy dozen Yellow-rumped Warblers, allowing good clicks, a pair of House Finches, but no superb rarity. I do get my share of those, but this wasn't the day for it.
There could be something in store over the weekend, but time will tell.
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Birds of Fall Await You
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Towhee, Red-eyed
0640-1015/50-62 degrees F/partly cloudy to sunny/light and variable winds
This is day two after a low pressure system that hasn't cleared until today, and all of these birds were
located at The Northern Reaches. Being the first day of the time change, it didn't hurt that I was out
in the field an hour early. The birds were out in full force and they were hungry. Our migrants are still coming in, and I was counting high on all the birds, except the lone little Eastern Towhee, which is a rare bird in this area. Usually we have the Spotted Towhee, which is basically the same, except it has white spots on the wings. For some reason, I get more than my share of rarities, so it always pays
to have one's eyes open.
Look around for the sparrows, as they are coming though now, so they will be more apparent, especially the Song Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco. These two birds tend to spend the cool seasons with us, just like the Yellow-rumped Warbler, which is the only warbler that will be in the country over the winter.
Welcome to the cooler time of year with a small current sampling of what you will see. There will still be plenty of old favorites for you to get black-oil sunflower seeds for. Enjoy the birds this winter!
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
The Lady of the Lake's Birds at Their Best
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron at Northern Reaches
Eastern Phoebe with Lunch
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
0740-1020 hrs./61-66 degrees F/partly cloudy to cloudy, then showers/13-17 mph wind gusts
These are assorted shots between Boomer Lake and The Northern Reaches. As the leaves fall, visibility increases, so the animal life is easier to see. I'm still hoping for more chances at a
decent photo of the Pileated Woodpecker, any of the kinglets, and the hawk and owl families.
This could all be wishful thinking, so all I can do is try.
Migratory movement is still occurring, and many, many ducks will be coming through, especially when the cold starts. Bundle up, and some of the sights could be well worth it for you. I plan to
be out there, and even with my northern blood, the winds can still make it pretty unbearable
at the lake.
What moves me is dancing Great Blue Herons on the ice, some of my dream birds, and I am
hopeful for that special find that I have never had before. If it is going to happen, this will be the
year.
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