060422 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-why-are-some-birds-so-tough-to-spot/article_fc87c24a-e207-11ec-aa15-53815d965650.html 

060122 Young Bluebirds Make a Big Hit With Everyone

 052722                                                    Juvenile Eastern Bluebird

 It took weeks to get photos of the young bluebirds hatched at Heron Cove.  The first photo was taken of all three while they were together in one tree, then it became more and more difficult as they progressed high in sycamore trees eating insects.  The adult male was always there monitoring their progress, while we assume that the female is on more eggs.

Writer still has been unable to photograph all of them together, but the date given was the day that this photo finally happened.  Even though I could not get him in the picture, the father was close by as can he seen in the shot just below.                                 

                                                          Adult Male Eastern Bluebird

The proud father attending to his three juvenile birds.  Two winters ago, there was a freeze that lasted for quite some time that was responsible for the deaths of both bluebirds and Carolina Wrens.  The bluebirds have taken it upon themselves to increase their numbers, but the Carolina Wrens are few and far between.  There are other nesting wrens in several neighborhood locations.

053122                                               Juvenile Eastern Bluebird

In a more shaded area, this juvenile bluebird can be seen sporting its spots and its lack of the adult plumage.  Isn't it beautiful?

060122                                                 Male Northern Cardinal

This lovely cardinal was actually within the tangled trees and brush of Heron Cove.  Who thinks that there could easily be a nest in there?  One of the nest locations disappeared, as cleanup efforts were undertaken by the city and some valuable habitat was removed.  However, there is still plenty of habitat here and many birds are nesting this this wonderful area, including the Brown Thrasher, Warbling Vireo, Red-winged Blackbird, Mourning Dove, Green Heron, grackles,  Eastern Kingbird, and plenty of others. 

052822 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-a-few-more-rare-birds-stop-by/article_e01c36be-dd38-11ec-9b56-2778b907d128.html 

052622 Late May Rains Hold Up Some Migrants, But Not Others

 051722                                                      Eastern Wood-Pewee

Today the Least Flycatcher was heard, but this character popped out at the end of the trip.

052422                                                          Orchard Oriole

This Orchard Oriole was observed between raindrops on the second rainy day of four.

                                                    

                                                              Great Crested Flycatcher

A pair of these birds were observed looking for protein when the rain held off for a while.

052622                                                            Cliff Swallow

This was the snag that a two Cliff Swallows had an interest in, though many were scouring the area for gnats and other tiny insects.  They rarely perch as their feet are somewhat rudimentary since they spend so much time on the wing.  Writer also tried for shots yesterday, but it began to rain and that made me more interested in heading home. 

                                                                        Canada Goose

A pair of Canada Geese preferred this quiet wet part of The Lowlands in which to set up a respite.  Photo taken to show a little water depth.

052222 Chickasha Express-Star, Birding Today

https://www.chickashanews.com/community/birding-today-plains-area-a-buffer-zone-for-species-that-have-become-hybrids/article_950e7e27-9dd7-5f45-b6ad-eb46510d6cb1.html

052122 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-different-birds-may-require-different-methods-of-photography/article_7e5b5a1c-d7b2-11ec-913a-a71a5412b63e.html 

051622 Excessive Early May Rains, Migrant Travels, and Grand Father of Heron Cove

 050622                                                  Greater Yellowlegs

This was the day after the crazy four inches of rain that hit us.  The two shots were taken

at the Lowlands, which is off Husband Street near Lakeview Rd.  In attendance were a Spotted Sandpiper, Blue-winged Teal, two Mallards that paid me no mind, both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and the star of the show, multiple Wilson's Phalaropes, that are not seen very often in these parts.

                    Wilson's Phalaropes Flanked by Lesser Yellowlegs (L) and Greater Yellowlegs (R)

By the way, did you know those gorgeous phalaropes are the females? 

051122                                                       Clay-colored Sparrow

                                                          Female Brown-headed Cowbird

We all call this birds a scourge due to their behavior (dumping eggs in other species' nests),

but it was how the evolved.  They probably made horrible parents, so now they leave it up to someone else.  There are other subspecies that raise their own...to some degree.   

                                                            Male Brown-headed Cowbird

051322                                                        Clay-colored Sparrow

They are usually gone by the 15th, but it is now the 16th.  Are we going to press our luck?  This is an appropriate spring shot, and the buzzy call will be remembered well until next spring.

051622                                                     Great-tailed Grackle

My old birding buddy always says, "get some action shots."  Okay, Susan, will this suffice? 

                                                                       Brown Thrasher

This fluffy beauty was quiet just sitting under second growth cover, minding its own business in the shade, but it was a nice shot, so here were are at the original flood plain.

                                                             Male Eastern Bluebird (Dad)  

The same day of this posting this sweet little male finally emerged with three strapping fledglings.  Unfortunately, writer was too far in the distance for a nice photo, but they were seen via poor photos and binoculars.  By the time that I slowly meandered over, the young were nowhere to be seen, but dad was perched (actual photo), so the three young were around SOMEWHERE.  We'll be trying to get shots of them, as well as the proud mother.