Friday, May 29, 2009
Henry's Lake Morning Birds...again.
Southwest end of Henry's Lake (at Hope creek outlet)I had such good luck a couple days ago at seeing birds at Henry's Lake (near Hope creek, southwest corner) I thought I'd try "birding" again this morning. It was a beautiful morning in paradise, about 41F , making it a bit cool, but comfortable with a light coat. By the time I left it was in the mid-50's. I left the motorhome about 7 AM. I drove again since I was taking my equipment, even though it was only a mile down the dirt road. As I gained sight of the lake, I spotted a large object on the log fence on the cliff above the boat launch. Figuring it was an eagle I took the road to the cliffs instead of to the shore. As I got within about 500 yards of the bird, I stopped and turned off the engine. Before I could get a good shot, he flew off. It was a juvenile eagle again, but still an impressively large bird. Win some, lose some! Here's the "butt shot" as he left his observation post over Henry's Lake. I often see the Kingfisher sitting at the same spot. It must afford birds a good place to watch for fish at the surface of the lake.
Juvenile Bald Eagle leaving his observation post at Henry's Lake, thanks to my intrusion.I drove back down to the shore (1/4 mile) and took my normal place near Hope Creek. The American White Pelicans were out as well as the Coots, the Lesser Scaups, a couple American Widgeon, and the Red-necked Grebe. Various gulls hung around on the periphery and every so often a couple Canada Geese would fly overhead honking. A pair of Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) were poking around the sagebrush nearby. I also saw a single juvenile female Yellow-headed blackbird (these females are really brown with a yellow chest, quite attractive, almost so as their male counterparts.) It was hanging out with a young red-winged black bird.
Young Female Yellow-headed Blackbird and young red-winged blackbird.
Young Female Yellow-headed Blackbird and young red-winged blackbird.
Killdeer poking around in the grass under the sagebrush near Henry's Lake. Although I spent an hour photographing, I really saw no new bird species today. It doesn't bother me that I'm taking the same birds over again since I take the opportunity to improve my photography. It's just great to listen to the birds, watch their behavior and enjoy the beautiful morning scenery and quiet here. This area in the morning always reminds me of the places shown on CBS Sunday Morning News with the bird videos shot at relaxing areas all over America by Charles Osgood. Someday, I'm bringing my digital recorder and stereo microphone down here to record the pleasant bird sounds.
Red Necked Grebes in Henry's Lake this morning. There were already 4 or 5 boaters fishing, and a couple souls on the shore pitching their nylon into the lake. The ugly trailers that inconsiderate fishermen left empty during the week next to Hope Creek were still there, marring the scenic values a bit. See if you agree:
Abandoned (during the week) trailers at Hope Creek on Henry's Lake mar the beauty.Back at the RV Park, the bird feeders continue to attract beautiful song birds, including the rare (for this area) Indigo Bunting, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and more.
Indigo Bunting at feeder at RedRock RV Park, out of it's range.
I won't subject you any further to my waxing about the beauty of this place since I have little new to report, but I'll leave you with a few pictures I did take that came out fairly well. Again, come see for yourself at RedRock RV Park, near Island Park, Idaho and not so far from Yellowstone National Park.
Indigo Bunting at feeder at RedRock RV Park, out of it's range.I won't subject you any further to my waxing about the beauty of this place since I have little new to report, but I'll leave you with a few pictures I did take that came out fairly well. Again, come see for yourself at RedRock RV Park, near Island Park, Idaho and not so far from Yellowstone National Park.
Closeup of American White Pelican on Henry's Lake
# posted by RV Guy @ 9:10 AM 
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