Southwest OK

Mom and I started for Hackberry Flats this morning, arrived about 10:45am. Not a lot going on. It was sunny and a strong North wind.

We left Hackberry about 12:30 and continued SW to the Eldorado area. Lots of snow on the ground made for a lot of muddy roads that we couldn't get down.

Hackberry:
Greater Yellowlegs
1 Snowy Plover
Dunlins
Long-billed Dowitchers
Unidentified Sandpipers
Kestrels
Red-tailed Hawks
No. Harriers
Ruddy Ducks
Gadwall
No. Shovelers
Ring-billed Gulls
Great Blue Herons
Green and Blue Winged Teal
Coots
Snipes
Bufflehead
Redhead
Am. Pipits
Red-winged Blackbirds
White-crowned Sparrows

Eldorado Area:
White-crowned Sparrows
Lark Buntings (had 1 very large flock)
Turkeys

Cardinals and Snow

I don't know what it is, but whenever it snows here, the cardinals come out in droves. February 12, 2010, I went out to the refuge. It was cloudy and cold so I didn't think I would need my camera (famous last words). Drove around while without seeing much. Saw 1 Bald Eagle at Goose Pen Pond. Before calling it a day I decided to check out the Bird Wall close to headquarters. There were the cardinals, more than I could count. Then I saw this odd looking one. Thinking to myself, "I need a picture of this one, but I don't want to drive all the way back home for the camera". So I had my cell phone and binoculars. Lined up the camera lens on the phone with the binocular hole and took a few shots of this bird. I'm still not sure if it is a male or a female or a cross between them. See for yourself:

A Great Day

January 17, 2010 was a great day to start the new year. Everything fell into place that day. We had great birds and sunlight behind me. First great picture was a Red-shouldered Hawk eating a fish.






Turn the corner and I found a Pileated Woodpecker hammering away. This bird has been a long time want for me. Everytime I would see one it would either be cloudy, backlit, or not enough sun. Then I get the perfect day, looks very good printed at 11x14 and double-matted at 16x20 (black outer, red inner).

Fall Migrants

So I'm back posting about the fall migrants. Maybe now I can post more often.

Back in September 09 I found two Red-necked Phalaropes at the TWNR. They stayed around for about a week (plus or minus a few days). Life bird for me.