Category Archives: Birds

Water World Wednesday – Coming in for a Landing

A couple of waterfowl landing on the Arkansas River in Tulsa last week.

Water World Wednesday

Camera Critters – SHHHHHH!!

You don’t want to disturb Mama.

Something about a dove just gets me, maybe it’s those big eyes? Or their gentle demeanor.

Late breaking update!!

I’m finding out that baby doves are called squabs.

Camera Critters

The Great Backyard Bird Count

This is the weekend for The Great Backyard Bird Count. We participated last year, this year, I pretty much did it by myself. We have too much going on around the house to focus the whole team on the project.

It was kind of boring at the house. Just a bunch of sparrows. I counted about a dozen in fifteen minutes. I think it was a dozen different ones. Just between you and me they all look alike. Now of course there are a bunch of different sparrows, I hadn’t id’d them yet, I’ve learned that id’ing birds is more than matching up photographs.

We went on a family walk around Lafortune Park. I took the opportunity to do another count. It’s not my backyard but hey I’m cheating, turn me in if you want.

I counted close to a hundred Canadian Geese. They are here year round now.

About 15 mallard ducks. Most of them males and some females.

Now you experienced bird counters out there, do the birds have to be awake when you count them?

Also, I didn’t see this one in the regional bird survey. Anybody know what it is?

Also, I didn’t see where to input this specimen. It was actually my favorite.

Our World

A Sunny Saturday on the Arkansas River

We are having a another sunny pleasant weekend in Tulsa. Son and I decided to go for a little walk on the Arkansas River near downtown.

We have some bigass trees in the River Parks. Son is going to tell on me for using the word bigass.

We saw the crane being used to build the new One Place tower downtown. The crane is supposed to be 325 feet tall. Hmmm, I was going to link to their web site but they don’t have one. Hmmm… Should I make one for them?

We saw a flag flying in the breeze and some fishermen in the river just below a low water dam. Hmmm… (Is that irritating you?) I’m afraid for their safety is all.

We saw a homeless campsite. Usually they are more discreet than this. What a way to live.

We saw some wilted flowers in a tree planted as a memorial. I’ve come across lots of things like this in my running, walking, hiking, geocaching, activities. Lots of sadness out there.

This is the plaque next to the tree. I googled the name. The only hit I got that come closest to being appropos was a businessman in his late 20″s who was murdered in the New York City area back in the 80’s. Lots of mystery out there.

I was taking a picture of the trees and the sky. I know, I lust too much after bare naked trees. This time one of the squirrel’s nest moved.

I didn’t have my good camera with me and of course no tripod but I think that the squirrel’s nest is actually an eagle of some kind. Maybe a bald eagle? (But probably a hawk of some sort.)

I’m not really sure. He got tired and flew off.

We ambled through the rest of our walk. We took our time as we looked here there and everywhere. We were a little tired. I’m participating with my friend Baloney’s Perfect Pairings today with the following verse.

The LORD is the everlasting God,
   the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
   and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
   and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint.

(Isaih 40:28-31) NIV (Thanks Bible Gateway!)

Blizzard Critters

The weather hasn’t been great here in Snowklahoma lately.

We hate to get out because of sights like this:

I hope the occupants are okay. Anybody besides me notice the Bermuda sign? I could do a little Bermuda or Aruba or somewhere right now.

We are tired of television, reading, and facebook so we have been watching who has been showing up at our bird feeders.

I’m not a bird guy but I think this is a junco. To me it kind of looks like a bird guppy. One thing I’ve learned about this meme is that if I’m wrong somebody will provide a gentle correction.

And we all know that this is a male cardinal.

I’ve gotten much attached to his girlfriend though.

A bluejay showed up for a little while. Not long enough to get a decent photo though.

This was the newcomer of the week. I studied on two bird books and a ipod touch app. I think it is a meadowlark. Whether eastern or western I don’t know. He hung out under the front yard feeder for hours. Long enough for me to wonder if it was ok.