Life at Boomer Lake with Deb, Sunday March 17, 2013

This was a week of many surprises and a couple of days of temperatures in the 80’s. Boomer Lake was very active with both people on the walk paths, and birds in the water and on land. There were yellow sulfurs flitting about, and I might have seen a lone admiral, but I won’t swear to it. The Southern Cove is showing signs of drying up again, but there was a hint of sprinkling today. Hopefully, there will be some real rain this week.

The painted turtles were out over the past couple of days, literally piles of them on logs. They didn’t seem skittish, so I was able to get a few good pictures. A couple of them tried to climb over other turtles on their way to the top of the log, but they fell a few times, right back in the water. They were not deterred though, for they would keep trying.

While I was photographing turtles, there was a group of six Lesser Yellowlegs on land, and they thought that I didn’t see them. They just stayed right in the area that they were, allowing me to get a number of photos. Unfortunately, they didn’t stick around quite as long as I’d hoped that they would, but they will be back again.

The Buffleheads, Lesser Scaups, Gadwalls, and Ruddy Ducks are still around. I never tire of seeing them, for they are all beautiful ducks, especially the regal looking male Buffleheads. These two pair performed for me, as you can see, flying low to the water, which isn’t always typical. Shots of the others are also here for your enjoyment, too.

The Great-tailed Grackles have made it to the shoreline, and I was able to catch one of them bathing. The colors are beautiful on these birds, and the yellow eyes really sets them off from other dark birds. I’m sure that I’ll be able to catch a few of them in flight in the near future, and you’ll be able to get a look at that magnificent tail.

The Red-winged Blackbirds were also out, and with a bit of wind, those colorful epaulets showed their distinctiveness. Every time the adult males call, they thrust out that chest and the wings pull away from the body as the head moves forward. The males are absolutely gorgeous.

The Western Grebe was also out one afternoon, with a fish, no less. This grebe is around a lot less than the Pied-billed Grebe, and they are a little bigger but not as chunky looking. They resemble a loon to some degree, but are a little smaller, but every bit as streamlined.

The Canada Geese are finding nesting spots on Goose Island, which is getting louder and louder. It is active now both day and night, as they choose mates and find their little spots on the island. There are battles among the males, which is natural, as they don’t want their females harassed by unwanted interest.

Even a few dogs were on the beach of the lake and in the water having fun on the warmer days. This lab was having a ball as his owner was looking on in the general vicinity.

This wraps up the news this week. Keep your head in the clouds and your eyes on the ground, as anything is about to happen. I have been hearing news from readers all over the country that there are birds showing up for them that they don’t normally see. If you have an unusual find, do keep me posted, as I am curious on sightings everywhere. I will see you again next week.