Sunday, December 13, 2015
Monday, December 7, 2015
Best of Boomer
Male Northern Shoveler(left)
Canvasbacks(Male in center)
American Robin with Eastern Red Cedar Berry
Pied-billed Grebe
Pileated Woodpecker
Great Horned Owl
Buffleheads(Male on right)
Immature White-crowned Sparrow
American Robin
Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker
0730-1020 hrs./34-50 degrees F/partly cloudy to sunny/light and variable winds
Today was more like a spring day, rather than going into the throes of winter. Bird behavior
was about the same for spring, as well. Besides these beauties, there were also plenty of
Brown-headed Cowbirds, large groups of American Robins, Slate-colored Juncos, and other
birds that are normally making an entrance for the season.
The biggest surprise of the day was a clear shot of the Pileated Woodpecker and a rather respectable shot of an adult Great Horned Owl, who I have been hearing on-and-off. I know that there is
another one in the area. Hopefully, Boomer Lake will host a nest for them, and if I can keep a handle on their whereabouts, maybe I can get photos of the young, too. We'll just have to hope for the best.
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Rare Birds at Sooner Lake--Oklahoma Power and Electric Property
Wilson's Snipe
Female White-winged Scoter
43-48 degrees F/partly cloudy/18 mph winds
Today, my Audubon friend, Susan, and I made an excursion to Oklahoma Power's property on
Sooner Lake. We expected to see a few things, but we were lucky enough to see these two
rarities. The last time that Wilson's Snipe was reported on the property was three years ago.
This female White-winged Scoter was in the company of several Lesser Scaup, all deep water divers.
This bird was reported to be last seen on Sooner Lake in 2010, so we were long overdue. Susan
suspected that this bird was a scoter before I did, so we managed to locate two important birds
on my first trip to the power plant.
We also saw a number of hawks, most notably the Harlan's, a very dark subspecies of Red-tailed
Hawk. There were also numerous sparrow species and several American Kestrels.
It was an excellent four hours around the lake and we even took a short excursion to Teal Ridge
Wetlands, where we saw more hawks and the Song and White-throated Sparrows.
I have a few notable photos from Boomer Lake that I took last week, so let's see what else I can
find there over the next couple of days. Wish me luck!
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Winter is Coming, Say the Birds of the Season
American Goldfinch
American Robin
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Field Sparrow
1200-1530 hrs./44-47 degrees F/partly cloudy/18 mph wind gusts
These are mostly shots at The Northern Reaches, which I suspected was going to be "that" kind
of day. It was a rather chilly day, by the standards of a northern transplant, so I expected a day of interest. My feelings were not disappointed.
Waterbirds were on the lake proper, and there were plenty of sparrows and berry eaters awaiting
a feast, which they received at The Reaches. It was a good day of cajoling and cavorting, and tomorrow should be just as good, if not better. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Waterbirds, Corvidae, Raptors, and Songbirds Wish to Greet You
White-throated Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Saturday, 11-14-15
0710-1020 hrs./40-56 degrees F/partly cloudy/light and variable winds
This was a day of great interest, as many birds were out enjoying the day once it warmed up.
Canvasbacks and the Cackling Goose were on the water early, the corvidae(jays, crows, magpie clan) were not to be outdone, and the raptors were in tow. Sparrows were well-represented, as were songbirds.
Plenty of birds are still out there to be enjoyed even as the cold begins setting in, so get out there to enjoy them.
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