Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Henry's Lake Spring Birds
Reggie and I hopped in the car (well, Reggie hopped, I slid in) and headed only a mile from the RedRock RV Park (in Island Park, Idaho near Yellowstone) to Henry's Lake (south side.) I would normally walk, but I had too many cameras and lens I wanted to take.
I hadn't been down there to photograph the birds that normally spend time at the Hope Creek inlet. It's fishing season now and I have to compete with the fishermen for the birds. If the fishermen stay away from Hope Creek there are numerous species of birds there to observe.
But.. prior to getting there, I saw an enormous bird sitting on a ranch fence at the top of the south access road. I stopped the car mid-road and got out with "big bertha", my Canon telephoto lens that at the moment is configured on a camera with an effective focal length of 1250mm. I set my lens on a fence post and shot away. I quickly determined that I was shooting a juvenile Bald Eagle (1st year plumage) (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). I was surprised by the large size of it. After a few shots, it's keen eyesight decided I was too much of a threat and it flew away.
A bit further up the road was a smaller Swainson's Hawk sitting on a snowmobile route pole. From it's plumage I think it is a first year bird. I was able to get a quick photo before he defecated (a sure sign he is leaving) and flew away.
Since it was about 7 AM, there weren't many fishermen on the lake so I was able to have the Hope Creek area (most southwest part of Henry's Lake) to myself. Unfortunately there were some extremely unsightly old trailers parked next to this area which ruined the scenic values here for me. They park the trailer there and come on the weekends to fish. I would love to see Fremont county make this end of the lake (the outlet from Hope Creek) off-limits to camping and fishing. It's a true bird mecca and all the human activity is sure to discourage breeding. In any case, I quietly set up my tripod and Reggie watched quietly from the car as I began photographing.
The area was teeming with birds. From the bald eagle (sitting on another fence post), to the majestic American White Pelican, the Lesser Scaup, the Cinnamon Teal, the Blue winged Teal , the Great Blue Heron, the Red-necked Grebe, Coots, Sand Hill Cranes and so much more, there was plenty to keep me busy observing and photographing for over an hour and a half at the same spot.
On a tree quite far away (probably 1/4 mile) sat another Juvenile Bald Eagle (3rd year plumage) and under him about 10 feet was presumably his mother, but who knows. It was too far for a sharp photo but from the image here, you get the idea. They sat there the whole time I was photographing the birds on the lake. Very patience birds.
The distinctive white head and tail feathers appear only after the bird is 4 to 5 years old. At that time it becomes sexually active and starts looking for a mate. (They mate for life and live up to 30 years.) I suspect this guy is in the neighborhood looking for a mate.
One interesting fact I ran across is that Bald Eagles use the same nest year after year. They add to them each year and some can weight up to 2000 pounds and be 10 feet across. They have to be that large since mature Bald Eagles can be up to 3 feet long with a wing span over 8 feet wide.
By the way, the name "Bald" doesn't refer to a hairless or featherless top but derives from an old English word "balde" meaning white.
Several species of duck were hanging out at the Hope Creek outflow. I spotted a pair of Cinnamon Teal (Ana cyanoptera) sunning, preening and eventually floating away. They are beautiful birds with the male sporting a bright cinnamon color all over and a very bright red eyes. The female is much more muted and pale brown colored. Right behind them was a Blue-winged Teal, distinquished by its blue head and white stripe.
Cinnamon Teal (male and female) at Henry's Lake near Hope Creek (southwest)
Several of the Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) were evident basking on the shore next to the Cinnamon Teal and others. The Lesser Scaup is a bird of concern since for several years it's numbers (while still great) are declining unexpectedly. It's a pretty duck with black head, white body and almost blue bill. They also hang out at the Red Rock Lakes Nat'l Wildlife Refuge 20 miles west of here.
I hadn't been down there to photograph the birds that normally spend time at the Hope Creek inlet. It's fishing season now and I have to compete with the fishermen for the birds. If the fishermen stay away from Hope Creek there are numerous species of birds there to observe.
But.. prior to getting there, I saw an enormous bird sitting on a ranch fence at the top of the south access road. I stopped the car mid-road and got out with "big bertha", my Canon telephoto lens that at the moment is configured on a camera with an effective focal length of 1250mm. I set my lens on a fence post and shot away. I quickly determined that I was shooting a juvenile Bald Eagle (1st year plumage) (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). I was surprised by the large size of it. After a few shots, it's keen eyesight decided I was too much of a threat and it flew away.
A bit further up the road was a smaller Swainson's Hawk sitting on a snowmobile route pole. From it's plumage I think it is a first year bird. I was able to get a quick photo before he defecated (a sure sign he is leaving) and flew away.
Since it was about 7 AM, there weren't many fishermen on the lake so I was able to have the Hope Creek area (most southwest part of Henry's Lake) to myself. Unfortunately there were some extremely unsightly old trailers parked next to this area which ruined the scenic values here for me. They park the trailer there and come on the weekends to fish. I would love to see Fremont county make this end of the lake (the outlet from Hope Creek) off-limits to camping and fishing. It's a true bird mecca and all the human activity is sure to discourage breeding. In any case, I quietly set up my tripod and Reggie watched quietly from the car as I began photographing.
The area was teeming with birds. From the bald eagle (sitting on another fence post), to the majestic American White Pelican, the Lesser Scaup, the Cinnamon Teal, the Blue winged Teal , the Great Blue Heron, the Red-necked Grebe, Coots, Sand Hill Cranes and so much more, there was plenty to keep me busy observing and photographing for over an hour and a half at the same spot.
On a tree quite far away (probably 1/4 mile) sat another Juvenile Bald Eagle (3rd year plumage) and under him about 10 feet was presumably his mother, but who knows. It was too far for a sharp photo but from the image here, you get the idea. They sat there the whole time I was photographing the birds on the lake. Very patience birds.The distinctive white head and tail feathers appear only after the bird is 4 to 5 years old. At that time it becomes sexually active and starts looking for a mate. (They mate for life and live up to 30 years.) I suspect this guy is in the neighborhood looking for a mate.
One interesting fact I ran across is that Bald Eagles use the same nest year after year. They add to them each year and some can weight up to 2000 pounds and be 10 feet across. They have to be that large since mature Bald Eagles can be up to 3 feet long with a wing span over 8 feet wide.
By the way, the name "Bald" doesn't refer to a hairless or featherless top but derives from an old English word "balde" meaning white.
Several species of duck were hanging out at the Hope Creek outflow. I spotted a pair of Cinnamon Teal (Ana cyanoptera) sunning, preening and eventually floating away. They are beautiful birds with the male sporting a bright cinnamon color all over and a very bright red eyes. The female is much more muted and pale brown colored. Right behind them was a Blue-winged Teal, distinquished by its blue head and white stripe.
Cinnamon Teal (male and female) at Henry's Lake near Hope Creek (southwest) Several of the Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) were evident basking on the shore next to the Cinnamon Teal and others. The Lesser Scaup is a bird of concern since for several years it's numbers (while still great) are declining unexpectedly. It's a pretty duck with black head, white body and almost blue bill. They also hang out at the Red Rock Lakes Nat'l Wildlife Refuge 20 miles west of here.I also saw a female Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) , the smallest duck species. Buffleheads do not tend to collect in huge flocks; groups are usually limited to small numbers (less than 10). One duck will serve as a sentry, watching for predators as the others in the group dive in search of food. Obviously this one was spooked by my appearance as she and others in her group flew away as I approached closer.
Female Bufflehead next to Hope Creek outflow in Henry's Lake, Idaho.
Also present nearby were several gulls who tend to stand away from the ducks and spend their time on the shore standing and looking between flights.
Two Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) foraged next to the Pelicans and other ducks along the creek right before it dumps into the lake. They seemed unconcerned with the other avians in the area. I was able to photograph one of them in flight as he came to join the other.
The most obvious of the birds in this end of the lake were the American White Pelicans. They are large (up to 62" long with wingspans over 8 feet) and have interesting yellow and orange colorings on their bills. They fish in small groups. I saw them several times all jump up and converge on a single spot when a fish was spotted. I saw the one Pelican that got the fish and it was sideways it's large pouch prior to swallowing it whole. They make quite a commotion, and it is surprising to me that the fish doesn't get away in the fishing frenzy.
American White Pelicans in fishing frenzy as they go after the same fish.
Female Bufflehead next to Hope Creek outflow in Henry's Lake, Idaho.An interesting duck like bird swimming all alone was spotted out a bit in the lake. It had a red neck which brought my attention to it quickly. It was too far away for a really sharp photo but here's my best shot so to speak. I believe it is a Red necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena). It is a rare visitor to this area, preferring to be further North. It breeds from Alaska to Minnesota.
A rare visitor to this area is the Red Necked Grebe in Henry's Lake, Idaho.
A rare visitor to this area is the Red Necked Grebe in Henry's Lake, Idaho.
Also present nearby were several gulls who tend to stand away from the ducks and spend their time on the shore standing and looking between flights.Two Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) foraged next to the Pelicans and other ducks along the creek right before it dumps into the lake. They seemed unconcerned with the other avians in the area. I was able to photograph one of them in flight as he came to join the other.
The most obvious of the birds in this end of the lake were the American White Pelicans. They are large (up to 62" long with wingspans over 8 feet) and have interesting yellow and orange colorings on their bills. They fish in small groups. I saw them several times all jump up and converge on a single spot when a fish was spotted. I saw the one Pelican that got the fish and it was sideways it's large pouch prior to swallowing it whole. They make quite a commotion, and it is surprising to me that the fish doesn't get away in the fishing frenzy.
American White Pelicans in fishing frenzy as they go after the same fish. The White Pelicans are magnificent when they fly. They always remind me of the 747's. Large, slow and very accurate. I'll talk more about the White Pelican in other blogs. I guess I've exhausted your patience with this much information. There was so much to see this morning. Come see for yourself and visit us at RedRock RV Park.
American White Pelican making the turn for the final approach on Henry's Lake.
Fishing Party on Henry's Lake
American White Pelican making the turn for the final approach on Henry's Lake.
Fishing Party on Henry's Lake# posted by RV Guy @ 8:24 AM 
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