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!

Potpourri for the Birding Soul

                                                                       Green Heron

                                                 Recently Fledged Red-winged Blackbird

                                                                    Eastern Kingbird

                                                        Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidis)

                                                                    Great Blue Heron

                                                             Great Crested Flycatcher

                                                                   Male Bell's Vireo

                                                                     Green Heron


0650-1030 hrs./64-80 degrees F/partly cloudy/10 mph NNW winds

These shots were taken over the past couple of days, but I was unable to post them until today.
As of now, all photos are caught up and on line.  The weather appears to be settling down, and
perhaps there will be more bird activity that I can record.

As a matter of record, the Neotropic Cormorants are still in the area and I finally observed a
Double-crested Cormorant after not seeing one for a good ten days.  Also, a couple of male
Bell's Vireos have returned to the lake early last month, has been singing in search of a mate for
over 7 days, and I am pleased to report that he has a possible mate today.  It was the first time that
I have seen her this year.  The male birds are very aggressive, but the females are not as very passive birds.  They are not dimorphic(unable to distinguish the sexes).

There are two singing males on the east side of the lake, #3 did not yet return this year.  Male 2(M2) has the larger territory, approximately one acre, and will be observed going from the top of one
average sized tree to another.

There are now two Northern Flicker families on Boomer Creek, one still not yet fledged.  The
recently fledglings have been out in the open and can be observed from the grassy field near the riparian forest edge.

After several tries, Lady Luck and the Great Crested Flycatcher permitted a photo shoot yesterday.
There are a couple of Yellow-billed Cuckoos (AKA rain crows or storm crows, as the Southern rumor is that their presence precedes rain), but neither has been too co-operative with pictures.

Today was the first day that I observed three Green Herons at the lake, and I have high hopes for
breeding again this year.  We'll just have to see what nature holds.

There are at least one hundred assorted babies out and about this season, so do be wary and watch
where you step.  They are still learning the ways of the world and don't pay much attention to people yet.

Today, a Sharp-shinned Hawk was driven out of the area by a raucous band of protection, that
included Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Great-tailed Grackles, and Red-winged Blackbirds.  It had
something in its clutches, possibly a bird, and if so, I am assuming that it could have been a baby
bird.  The entourage flew right over my head before 0800, and I never saw any of those in pursuit
return.  I was also told that the group flew at least as far as Boomer Creek, so it was a long distance chase.  If anyone is aware of this, or saw any of it, contact me through this medium.

060516 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-who-stays-who-goes-this-season/article_ede428b4-2a98-11e6-9f93-9fb9d7a1dae9.html

Birds at the Head of the Class

                                                                     Green Heron

                                                         Fledgling Red-winged Blackbird

                                                            Male Great-tailed Grackle

                                                               Female Orchard Oriole

                                                                 Neotropic Cormorants

                                                                   Turkey Vulture


0700-1112 hrs./68-86 degrees F/partly cloudy/8 mph SE winds

It was a beautiful day, but the air was filled with excess humidity.  Even many of the birds
stayed in the recesses of the deeper woods.  What birds managed to come out were out early,
and they returned to the shade as soon as they could.

However, parenting forces birds to feed their young and when they call, an alarm goes off
and they are fed like clockwork.  There were two little Red-winged Blackbirds, and the oldest
did its best to follow its father, but the young one in the tree didn't move while I was there.

The female Orchard Oriole has a nest and was getting a little nectar at the local trumpet vine.
Across the street was a calling White-winged Dove, which isn't in these parts much.  With any
luck, I'll be on the other side of the bird tomorrow and get a passable photo, instead of a sun-
drenched one.

The wooded area off the creek has several Prothonotary Warblers, one of which is reasonably
friendly.  I've ben trying to get a better shot, and I hope that I will be able to do so.  There are
also three Red-headed Woodpeckers, and a Great-crested Flycatcher that I'd love to capture.
Perhaps this will be the year for it, but I won't be greedy, as I've been very fortunate this season.

This Turkey Vulture was feeling g his oats today and gave me this fabulous opportunity, which
made me happy.

052916 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-use-some-stealth-while-bird-watching/article_1be22aea-251c-11e6-aaa0-6fbaae1c408c.html

A Short But Productive Birding Day

                                                                  Great Blue Heron

                                                                     Mallard Drake

                                                Plain-bellied Water Snake (Nerodia erythrogaster)

                                                                     Brown Thrasher

                                                           Juvenile American Robin

                                                            Male Great-tailed Grackle

                                                          Juvenile Great-tailed Grackle

                                                             Eastern Cottontail Rabbit



May 26, 2016

0710-0919/77-80 degrees F/partly to mostly cloudy//17 mph S wind gusts/82% rel. humidity

It felt like 85 degrees F and there was high humidity, making me sweat earlier than 0900 hrs.
However, there were young birds to capture, and one must take photos when the weather is
appropriate in order not to miss what there is to offer.

The snag that Great Blue Heron is standing upon is on that recently came down from one of
many storms.  This Mallard Drake also happened to be upon it, as was a Mallard hen with
four ducklings, and a few Red-eared Slider turtles, a good sized tree limb.

One of many non-poisonous water snakes, this little beauty was sunning and allowed me a quick
shot.  I have photographed some double the size, as well as the venomous Water Moccasin in TX.

The grackles, thrasher, and robins were located at The Southern Cove, which hosts many other birds, including breeding Green Herons (third year), Baltimore Orioles, Warbling Vireos, and provided temporary residence for a lovely Swainson's  Thrush.

Due to the weather rapidly changing, I cut my visit short to avoid getting rained upon.  By the way,
this very young cottontail rabbit told me to tell you "hello."

New Six Pack Holder Won't Harm Animals

http://www.takepart.com/article/2016/05/27/brewing-six-pack-wont-kill-turtles?cmpid=tpdaily-eml-2016-05-27