New Yard Birds!

On Saturday Oct. 30, 2010 I had two new yard birds as well as a life bird. The first was a Pine Warbler (life).

I first saw it while in the backyard without binoculars or a camera, but it came real close (probably within 10ft.). I ran in got the camera and got a few ID'able pics of it, but it was not the same one I saw earlier as this one was lighter and grayer, the first one had alot more yellow on it (looked just like the one in National Geographic Field Guide).

The second yard bird was a Golden-crowned Kinglet. I got pics of it too, but they were not great. This was only my second time to see one, first was nearly 3 years ago.

Now jump forward to this weekend, it is just beginning to get colder here so the American Goldfinches and other winter birds are just starting to come to the feeder. My mom was visiting and we were watching the birds from within the house when I saw an Orange-crowned Warbler which I got excited about. Then some minutes later a Pine Warbler landed in the grass where she got great views of it. It was life bird for her.

I also had these in the yard this past weekend:

White-breasted Nuthatch
American Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
American Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Pine Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
White-throated Sparrow
Carolina Wren
Turkey Vulture (well flying over the house)
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse

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.