Think Reverse Order To Swallows and Buzzards

Last March when the American White Pelicans left White Rock for their nesting grounds in either Salt Lake or Molt, Montana, one pelican could not make the trip because for rehab of injuries. He spent the entire winter here on the lake hanging out with the ducks, geese and mallards. He was lonely, for sure, as most of us think about being left at the "bus stop" as my mom referred to nursing homes and the like. Ironically, this past week I recall going by a couple of retirement places and thought to myself that I had to tell my baby brother that if he ever put me in a place with a names like Autumn  Leaves or Golden Haven or Golden Acres, I'd come back to haunt him. That pelican has reminded me of that over the winter as I would see him off by himself along the shore line.
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Today, I was also reminded that the annual arrival of the American Whites back to White Rock is fast coming to term. For the past 8 years that I have documented the arrival date as October 12th. However,  like the Swallows of San Juan Capistrano who dispatch  a few scouts ahead of the main flock by several days and so---the American Whites do the same by about two weeks,  give or take a few days because of weather systems etc.,etc. The Buzzards (turkey vultures) of Hinckley, Ohio have been returning there since the massive animal kill of 1888.They have come on March 15th since 1957. The swallows on March 19th which is St. Joseph's Day. Birds are instinctive, they are.

The Old Boy Left Behind

The Main Flocks Scout Arrives Almost on time. That seems to indicate that by the annual arrival date of October 12th (give or take a few days) Our Old Boy  was like a kid in a candy shop to see one of his own.

Fishing was good,too.

The past two weeks I have been shooting hummingbirds at multiple locations with the hummers also here on migration. After shooting today, I drove over to Sunset Bay (the water project has closed the roads from Lake Highlands Drive to Poppy for the next phase of construction)

Low and Behold, there was a scout here swimming with our old boy from rehab and he was having the time of his life. I had not seen him so active and I know for sure now that the old bird being a social breed by instinct,  was rejoicing and it was most obvious. So, now, I can note the arrive of the first scout and will need to start watching for other arrivals.

I have been very concerned since seeing the National Park Service article about the 13,000 birds killed in a sudden hail storm in Molt about a month ago. Most of our birds do go to Molt to nest in March although some do go to Salt Lake as those tagged do so indicate.

Most likely our winter-overs may very well be less this year, the final total count will soon reveal the answers to our concerns. It is a very large number to be killed by baseball size hail; 13,000.

Inside Yesterday--Had To Get Out Today

The rain and gray clouds and cold were closing in inch by inch by inch. By noon time, it was out the door with the bumper shoot  in one hand and the camera bag and tote in the other. Just at Love Field, already, we have picked up an inch and a half of rain. The snow went north to soon.So, to be positive about the matter, we got liquid snow instead.

For a bit, I had the wipers on intermittent. The drizzle was just enough to have them on. When I got to the lake, it was clear that the water levels were even higher than they had been with the most recent flooding on the parking lots and roadway. The dock at one of the boat club marinas had been smashed and rearranged by logs floating down stream and striking the under carriage, raising sections out of the water. So with that siting, it was a full sweep of the lake to see what else might be amiss, all- the- while looking for the pairs of hawks that are getting ready to nest. Not one hawk did I see. Not one. This is the second day and it somewhat worries me. The weather can cause hawks to go elsewhere.

What I did discover was that the pelican's island was totally under water for the second time in less than two weeks and what was worse was the the logs that they like to nap upon and preen their feathers were totally gone. None!! Even the ones out father into the bay area were missing. I also noted that the number of pelicans were  much less than what normally hangs out there. There were only a dozen more on the lake drifting and none down by the dam when I was there. It was on the way home when I made a sweep over the  top of Flag Pole Hill and down to Goforth along White Rock Creek when I discovered about thirty pelicans on the creek bank between Northwest Highway and the cross road that runs east and west behind Flag Pole Hill. There were even many more Great White Egrets and a few more Great Blue Herons that I have never seen all together hanging out like today.

It will be interesting to see how the return goes when the lake levels drop a bit and the creeks flood stage currents lower and slow down . Will the group of pelicans stay there or return to  Sunset Bay? The Park Superintendent told me about a month ago in his office that he can't put logs back into the water. Environmental control factors, nor can he take them out unless they wash ashore like the ones did along the lake shore and the marina docks. I fully understand that process. And there is a lot of loss limbs and branches  on the ground where the disease and rot weakened the branches to where finally, the rain soaked wood's weight pulled them down. Big ones. There is a good semi load of wood on the ground now just along East Lawther from trees down and branches down. So the hope to have nature replace the logs for the pelican and cormorants has greatly diminished after the scouting mission today. 

At least the temperatures will be normal and even well above above average for the next ten days or so. I noted a 70 degree day just a few more days down the pike. Tomorrow will be seasonal but the mitigating factor to all of this is sunshine!! Sun, Glorious Sun!!.  Annie, yes, "the sun will come out tomorrow"!

See the log on the left. It runs to the right middle of the undercarriage. That's what lifted the dock up.

Slightly blurred. I'm not a memeber of the 600mm club.

The Sailing Club Has been Around and Around again. It's the anchor of the Marina.

A Much Better Look At The Red Shoulder

This afternoon as what low level clouds there were had burned off, the sunlight, blue sky and moderate winds not only lifted my spirits, but brought me an afternoon in nature that was just absolutely stunning. And, if that alone was not enough, it got even better, if that  could be possible.

Long story short, patience pays but knowing that it pays even rewards you more. After the discovery of the nest and the mated pair of red shoulders refreshing the enormous nest from last year, I have been watching this particular nest for the 2017 season. There are at least 7 known nest that have some activity with other red shoulders. While the red tails are a bit larger, the red shoulders have become a favorite of mine. The only thing that would stir more interest would be to see a nesting pair of ospreys or, of course, the American Bald Eagles that still show up at White Rock from time to time.

Here is the reason that the afternoon was such a delight.

Tender buds are out and so are the squirrels eating their fill.

This was an amazing young red shoulder to watch. The male was sitting in his usual place high in the nest tree. Later, for here, she dives into a thicket, grabs a mouse and comes half way back up to her blending perch that almost caused me to miss seeing her entirely.

And, of course, with Valentines coming up after the weekend, Happy Valentines Day to all.

Red Shoulder

A beautiful bird of prey. The Red Shoulder is quickly becoming a bird that I like more than the larger hawks. These just have a regal flare about them. It's rather difficult to explain but they are just different  than the others some how.  The nest site was found. It is made from some very big sticks, too. Woven into the fork of one of the old trees at White Rock it could almost be a mini-eagle nest. Frankly, the nesting site was nearly missed. At first, it seemed the big Red Tail was using it but as it turned out from over an hour of observing, the red-shoulder took flight and sat down on the nest. Now, during the course of the breeding season, close attention will need to be paid. The excitement is already building.

Be sure to click on one of the images to enlarge the entire series for a better look-see.

The Sun Returned

With the rain out of here, the sun was out for the first time since Thanksgiving Day. Even though the light north wind was a bit cutting at times, it still was a delightful day to get the cardio walk in and

The tidal pool looks placid again.

Birds were every where in the trees.

The beaver several days ago. See the tail----it's for sure, a beaver.

take a few pictures.

The storm with over eight-inches of rain was hard on the beaver population. Four beavers were killed. The city parks service picked up the last one this afternoon. I really did appreciate the help that I got from  Parks and Recreation to take care of the one that was in a very populated spot for visitors. Thanks to the guys at the City of Dallas Parks and Recreation Department for their help. Two were killed crossing 78 at San Rafael;one on the Dixon Creek crossing of Buckner and the fourth washed up into the parking area at Sunset Bay. I had just taken a picture of one going up the channel into the old fish hatchery just before the storms hit. I've been looking for him but haven't seen him again. I fear the worse outcome with the recent outcome from confirmed deaths.

The water flow has really slowed down. The grass caught on top of the new USGS automated water gauge is still funny. I'll call the field office and find out how they report that much water flow.

Walgreen's To The Rescue

Sea gull at Sunset Bay

The plumage is amazing

 It was in the 70's today. Even in Texas, that is a gift in late January because February really can be the coldest month of the winter. I get cabin fever after about three days in the house. So, when I discovered that one of my prescriptions was due for refill, I logged on and submitted the request to Walgreens. This morning, I had an email that my prescription was ready for pick up. Perfect!  An afternoon under the blue sky and sun. With a stress-test coming up shortly, it will also cover a cardiac walk and exercise. Sweet!

Subject matter was a bit limited, but along came a co-operative and curious sea gull. They really are beautiful birds. There must have been five or six photographers all looking for something interesting and for a rare winter's day, nothing was happening today.

 

A man walks  his dog and a woman rest in thought.

Paddlesurf

                                                                                                                                                                      It's always a gift to get a 60-plus degree day in                              

A super nice paddle board he sells at their shop

I watched him put this in the water and it was one of the most easy I have ever witnessed.

Off from the ramp and headed toward the dam. I saw him from the road down at the dam later enjoying his paddle surf

Mid January. With plenty of blue sky early on, before the high cloudiness rolls in toward sunset, it didn't take much to get me motivated to get out and walk. Deciding where to go was the next problem as Dr. Oz was at Cowboy's Stadium giving free physicals to over 1500, the annual Stockyard Rodeo  Exhibit will be filling the stockyards in Ft. Worth with a million visitor, Founder's Plaza at DFW had aviation geek weekend going on at Texas Trail and Airport West so the magic rabbit in the hat is always White Rock Lake. With all the good weather, there would be people all over the lake and that means finding something unusual and not normally found. Well, as the luck of the  draw happens.......White Rock was a winner again.

This gentleman is a partner in a paddle board shop and had with him one of the new stand up paddle boards. The shop has some unique activities planned for a bit later on this spring. It  sounded awesome. His shop: RIOSUP. They offer: Core Fitness Training and also have boards/gear/Eco tours.