Life at Boomer Lake with Deb, Thursday July 10, 2014

Yes, You CAN Help to Save the World

What did YOU do to save the world? Animals are sentient beings, don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise. You CAN make a difference in a small way, and for those of us that do, there is no greater joy. Join me in the fight to protect all animals, you’ll be glad that you did.

Scientists have recently discovered the world’s largest flying bird. This photo was created from fossils, and birds really haven’t changed much. Curious? Take a look at this Big Bird.

Big Oil wants to run a pipeline to triple the black gold to the US. This is a critical area off Vancouver in Canada that will threaten the endangered whales not only with oil spills, but with added noise to disorient them. Please help me help them by signing the petition.

This is the time of year where there is a great deal of new life. It surrounds many of us, and we don’t even realize that it is there. Let’s declare this Bird Month for all of you that read this, and see if you can get outside to look around you and try to listen to your surroundings more. Trees creak in the wind, and the wind moans around obstructions. If you will listen even harder around those trees that you pass, you might just hear signs of life, and you might even see a nest or two. Are you game?

Our resident beavers are doing well, and once in a while, I get to see either one or both of them. This week, in the shadows, there was a large shape on the bank of the Southern Cove that made me stop and take notice. I put up the tripod, and with the telephoto, I got a wonderful surprise. One of the beavers was feeding on some plant life. Pretty good sized beaver, if I might say!

Cardinals are still everywhere, and if you take a look at this beauty, you will gain appreciation for both his good looks and his song. Mr. Northern Cardinal was atop a tree in first light, and to have the morning light reflect on his irridescence is a beautiful sight.

Some of the Mallard drakes are still very heavily eclipsed, like this one. He is still unable to fly, since he is still gaining and shedding flight feathers. By the time it is migration, he will be back in beautiful form, but he might decide to stay. Just in case he doesn’t, he’ll certainly be able to head where he wants to go.

Our sweet little Western Kingbirds have all their ducks in a row, including themselves. If you look at this trio very closely, you’ll see that they all are different ages. The nice thing is, even though they are not at the lake, they are right where I can keep a close watch on them—in my yard.

Yesterday, I made a journey to the Northern Reaches, to see if all is well, which it is. I also spotted Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Carolina Chickadee, and heard Red-bellied Woodpecker. There are Baltimore Orioles, Eastern Bluebirds, and a host of other wonderful birds. Anxiously awaiting fall when the leaves begin to drop, I hope to actually see some of our shyer birds, too, and perhaps get a photo or two. There is still a lot of summer ahead of us, so a few might even pop out at me once in a while. One never knows what nature holds.

Here is a shot of a lone Scissor-tailed Flycatcher nestling. He or she has grown so much in the past few days that the nest is almost too small for this single occupant. This bird won’t be in here much longer.

Here are a few rare shots that most people will never hope to see. Since there is a heron rookery at the Northern Reaches, I am privy to see many interesting and rare things. This gorgeous Great Blue Heron is sunning himself. He hasn’t a care in the world, even though he knows that I am right in his vicinity. Eventually when you observe birds long enough, they will now that they can trust you. If you’re patient, you just might be the person getting these clicks.

This might help a few of you tell the difference between a Purple Finch and a House Finch. The House Finch is more common, all over the country, and the Purple Finch resides in the eastern half of the US. The male House Finch has brown streaking upon his sides and belly, whereas the Purple Finch does not. The male Purple Finch will also have more red all over him, including the top of his head, as well as a notched tail. Now that you are armed with information, seek and you shall now find.

We’ll talk more next week, so in the meantime, keep your eyes on the ground and your head in the clouds. Happy birding!