Arkansas River Critters

Last Monday I braved the heat for a bike ride on Tulsa’s RiverParks trails bordering the Arkansas River as it flows through town. I took my Canon SuperZoom camera along in a backpack hoping to take some photos.

Great Egret

I found what I think are great egrets. (I’m not a very good birder so if you have better ID I would appreciate it very much.) This one was looking for lunch in the shallow water.

egrets 01

This nearby group seemed more into grooming than eating.

Great Blue Heron

Further down the river I spotted this great blue heron. They are very skittish and so by the time I stopped my bike, and retrieved the camera from the backpack and focused, this guy was ready to leave.

pelican 04

Nearby, this group of pelicans were hanging out together.

bald eagle 01

I saw something black with a white spot almost clear to the other riverbank. It turns out that it is a bald eagle. The first image of one I have captured in the wild. Sorry about the poor quality but it was at the far range of the camera.

I was pretty happy with my photos. Again, if I have misidentified any of them please let me know.

I’m linking with Eileen’s Saturdays’s Critters.

12 thoughts on “Arkansas River Critters

  1. A ShutterBug Explores

    Beautiful shots of our feathered friends on the Arkansas River ~ Happy Weekend to you ~ Xo

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days `

    A ShutterBug Explores ~
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

  2. tomthebackroadstraveller

    …the eagle is my favorite, it’s something that I rarely see here.

  3. Ellen

    I always loved going to Harriman State Park to view the water fowl. You have a really nice variety there too. That bald eagle is an added bonus!

  4. Eileen

    Hello Alan,
    The river looks like a great place for birding, awesome birds and photos.
    I love the the Egrets, Heron , the White Pelicans and the Bald Eagle.
    Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great day and happy new week. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

  5. mae

    I know what you mean about the bird leaving just as you get your camera ready! I have had a canon superzoom for a number of years — I’m on my second model now. The very long extent of the zoom is wonderful, though when it is fully extended, there is a bit of inevitable interference.

    best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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