tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71437175531262795112024-02-07T13:14:30.155-06:00Afield in OklahomaWritten by
Eric J. Beck
with
editing by
Melissa Stodola-BeckEric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-54281138153506878652011-08-03T15:50:00.000-05:002011-08-03T15:50:09.507-05:00Reluctance In Conservation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I knew very little about what a decision like being a voice for the birds was going to be. Not only that, but little did I know what it was going to take to be a voice for the birds in Oklahoma. Let's face it, most humans think and base their daily decisions purely on what they want, need or hope to attain. Money, a better job, comfort at home and work and then of course there are the items of pure enjoyment. You know what I mean; I just spent three months paying off my dream guitar. My point is simple; when you decide to speak for things that don't have a voice, you also make a decision to put your needs and wants to the side (not all, but some). You make a decision to stand, sometimes alone, sometimes with help but most certainly to stand against things that are larger and far more complicated than your simple life should have been.<br />
<br />
I have been digging, dredging, call it what you will, in the world of Oklahoma birds and bird conservation for about five years now (give or take). I've spent time putting together some of the necessary information for Oklahoma's Important Bird Areas Program. I've put myself out there a few times with concern for the dwindling Lesser Prairie-Chicken population, which also put me into the realm of the national energy development issue/crisis. I've trekked through swamps and marshes in the dead of night looking for a little black bird no larger than a sparrow. All of this and more with the intention of learning more, and helping to understand and protect a group of organisms and their habitats, those of which some people couldn't give a damn whether or not they even existed.<br />
<br />
About five months ago everything changed for me, I found myself wondering whether or not I could keep doing it or if I even wanted to. I found myself overloaded, confused, and basically struggling far too much for something that I supposedly loved. If I were to identify my big mistakes, the first would being having said yes to far too many projects. Yes, I was told multiple times by friends and colleagues, and by my especially loving and supportive wife, that I was taking on too much; to that I say, "well if I hadn't done it who would have?" Maybe there was or is someone else but I have yet to see a new arrival (and I am waiting). Don't let me give you the wrong idea, there have been plenty of successes. But truth be told some things haven't changed at all.<br />
<br />
In Oklahoma we are still struggling to find a balance between wildlife and energy, and with the current trend taken into consideration, it looks as though wildlife is getting the back seat. I mean what do you do when your own state Senator supports beating the hell out of our Endangered Species Act and the species it protects? I assure you Tom Coburn and Jim Inhofe are not concerned with our wildlife or wildlands, especially if it stands to slow progress. Even if the progress is ill planned, sides with the wants of a few and stands to change the landscape of Oklahoma for generations to come.<br />
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So what's a poor boy to do (using the words from a sad song) when the place you have chosen and the work you have chosen have almost no place in the state, a state that just doesn't want to join the global push to make the world a better place, unless we stand to make one hell of a profit? Well, for a moment I almost folded (truth be told I shut down briefly), I nearly gave up all I had worked for and believed in because, well because I just didn't think it really mattered anymore. I didn't think anyone really cared. Sure I know you are out there: the folks that write letters to the USFWS, the folks that spend their time teaching children how to treat this world with a little respect, the folks that would spend their own money to drive three hundred miles to help the cause for a species of bird that you may or may not get to see in your lifetime.<br />
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I know what you are thinking, or at least some of you. It does matter and you are right! Perhaps being run through the wringer was just what I needed. Boughts of insomnia, stomach problems from stress and too much caffeine, tears when I couldn't get enough money together to pay the mortgage, frustration when I was using my own money to get back out in the field even though it should have gone to the electric bill and more. So when I look back at it all, am I sorry about having taken those first steps? Hell no! Have I made errors and mistakes, committed myself to too much, spoken when I should have kept my mouth shut, and generally just ran amuck where and when I felt like it. Your damn right I did, and what have I learned? Well, for one I've learned that having a voice is a gift, if you don't use it you don't deserve to have it. Two, there's nothing wrong with being out-spoken. Three, know when to say no, and when to say yes even if everything inside of you tells you the opposite. Four, well I'll just say be careful and it's very important to take care of yourself. Don't sacrifice your body, because without it you've lost your dream. Five, moderation with everything, unless of course it's really, really good!<br />
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I'm still not real sure why I put this tell-all post together, or if I really want people to know some of the truth behind my curtain. But I will say one last thing. Conservation is the most important thing in this modern world, and you had better recognize and think about the truth of that comment. Is conservation work a good place for a person that tends to be a little depressed? Mmm...I guess it depends on who you ask. But one thing's for certain, I'm not going away, I'm reloading the guns and I'm getting back to my business, the business of conservation. Reluctantly? No, with rejuvenated spirit and whole backpack full of lessons learned and all the wiser. Should you be concerned? Not unless you pose a threat to wildlife and wildlands; then I would be very concerned. Am I afraid of the big boys out there, theAlpha Dogs (you know who you are), why should I be?<br />
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</div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-52604445100742994422011-07-07T10:53:00.000-05:002011-07-07T10:53:52.322-05:00Into the Pine Woods<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Louisiana hot, that's the answer for the question I've been getting as of late. Is it hot down there? Well, not as hot as Lawton, where I've taken to not even looking at the thermometer, it's become ridiculous. It's Louisiana hot down in McCurtain County, Oklahoma and the <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjAwhwtDDw9_AI8zPwhQoY6IeDdGCqCPOBqwDLG-AAjgb6fh75uan6BdnZaY6OiooA1tkqlQ!!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfMjAwMDAwMDBBODBPSEhWTjBNMDAwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110809&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=FSE_003853&navid=091000000000000&pnavid=null&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&ttype=main&pname=Ouachita%20National%20Forest-%20Home/">Ouachita National Forest</a>. But there's plenty to see and do just the same. My days are filled with heat, sweat, bugs, and of course birds. This is my second season on a project trying to understand the Bachman's Sparrow's that inhabit scattered locations in the forest. No, not <a href="http://michelebachmann.com/landingnew/?cdtrack_creative=292282ee-b381-400e-a1b7-099ab4c9f731&cdtrack_source=f3f65a4c-97b7-449d-aa39-801352dd91e2">Michele Bachman</a> but the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachman%27s_Sparrow">Bachman Sparrow</a>, the "Pine Woods Sparrow". </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkMu0QHz-EFR-m-GIYqgvrzbcTv9Z5bvEHu0lq39Peisndw5Th0igVVKwveYjn4h2P_mH4mZS4nGoOAKAvs9FlY30AmypMHQbtf_qjSKU-CIP3yDDUP8pDCjKL1_m-QKiPkhkRw34ddg/s1600/P1012765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkMu0QHz-EFR-m-GIYqgvrzbcTv9Z5bvEHu0lq39Peisndw5Th0igVVKwveYjn4h2P_mH4mZS4nGoOAKAvs9FlY30AmypMHQbtf_qjSKU-CIP3yDDUP8pDCjKL1_m-QKiPkhkRw34ddg/s400/P1012765.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Shrubby St. John's Wort<br />
(<i>Hypericum proloficum</i>)</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">The 'Blazing Star" found below is a first for me, I identified it as a "Spiny Blazing Star"<br />
but I believe that name may be a bit out-dated or perhaps something has changed and I just haven't figured it out yet. Nonetheless, I will do my best to figure it out. If you already know, fill me in.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf71id_k9Lbo78uM_p03lT9Tf3CayrC5cN1nuScqf6UAvyDhGzGcjKEN7S5wycMPerS7kbOW3b5vitS2dJf4dNCB-cO7MSlSoE0i5DOYzFaZ36gyLhpiaxhbyOihVuOvI2X762HPUUl5s/s1600/P1012751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf71id_k9Lbo78uM_p03lT9Tf3CayrC5cN1nuScqf6UAvyDhGzGcjKEN7S5wycMPerS7kbOW3b5vitS2dJf4dNCB-cO7MSlSoE0i5DOYzFaZ36gyLhpiaxhbyOihVuOvI2X762HPUUl5s/s640/P1012751.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Blazing Star </span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(</span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Liatris sp.</i></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnj_7Hx7H-E7iHRxGnDqweK51JSawWl9wb9tx-AlkrG0qZXZU2lzq9q8ztS83DCaITA4tW0J-gQ4jRzxcsOgrmFXJtcbBh8CdQ6ZbMWEV3Aajco7PWYbN4zZZL4McqCRWidOBRFg3noU/s1600/P6230030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnj_7Hx7H-E7iHRxGnDqweK51JSawWl9wb9tx-AlkrG0qZXZU2lzq9q8ztS83DCaITA4tW0J-gQ4jRzxcsOgrmFXJtcbBh8CdQ6ZbMWEV3Aajco7PWYbN4zZZL4McqCRWidOBRFg3noU/s400/P6230030.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Red-spotted Purple </span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(<i>Limenitis arthemis</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I approached this butterfly like a mountaineer. One hand holding steadily to my canoe tie-down rope and the other concentrating on camera functions, all the while teetering of the hood of my truck. And, there are those who might say I can't multi-task!<br />
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<div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6deVFhosezZ4CgXYC0fbRA7-qMBPgLPvjZSfJY50C11WpL0BdNtCpNtwpi9bWGvP6KiI84emYgxzv3RLP_ESdapmXBGloYyoRlV8sIT55isPazVeuKJzpO9VpIZ4omcRXYCo5syPHb8c/s1600/P1012758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6deVFhosezZ4CgXYC0fbRA7-qMBPgLPvjZSfJY50C11WpL0BdNtCpNtwpi9bWGvP6KiI84emYgxzv3RLP_ESdapmXBGloYyoRlV8sIT55isPazVeuKJzpO9VpIZ4omcRXYCo5syPHb8c/s400/P1012758.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Variegated Fritillary</b></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><i> (Euptoieta claudia)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">Well just a few photos to keep anyone who might be wondering where and what the heck I'm up to these days satiated. Until later!</span></i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div></div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-39409378586318287192011-04-28T12:54:00.000-05:002011-04-28T12:54:27.936-05:00The Top Ten Things You Missed While Failing to Attend the Lek Treks & More Lesser Prairie-chicken Festival<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #f50000; font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Number 10: </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;">Most likely your lifer Lesser Prairie-Chicken. If you think a few birds along a county road and 75 yards away is good enough then you haven't seen the photos from this year's celebration! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoAMPxrQ7u6eKn9qy7e6owgHLQd5qWNQWPORZfjHWPLmcvF4q8-XdA4RTdX2xMIO9aLMwxkiwV65N1WPEPlP86_2MgQ7XAaax6Mv5SS3c-6TcitdkeKrvQRBW8w-KbsIwLw6RwtgXl5U/s1600/Lesser+Prairie+Chicken%252C+Woodward+County%252C+Selman%252C+April.+20-25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoAMPxrQ7u6eKn9qy7e6owgHLQd5qWNQWPORZfjHWPLmcvF4q8-XdA4RTdX2xMIO9aLMwxkiwV65N1WPEPlP86_2MgQ7XAaax6Mv5SS3c-6TcitdkeKrvQRBW8w-KbsIwLw6RwtgXl5U/s320/Lesser+Prairie+Chicken%252C+Woodward+County%252C+Selman%252C+April.+20-25.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr52sNSeXTITs9qvjQYaR0xNZ3tdsAEwbyWTodb9H6KLKjTKahnuWEpfqzDamjROcim0T1x1GbEpEvqGx9NaBWBAgxxacxh-E1xYHdLcGa-YB2F5UkBnfSx9ytyj_VpCbTeQWq26DUH8s/s1600/Snowy+Plover+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr52sNSeXTITs9qvjQYaR0xNZ3tdsAEwbyWTodb9H6KLKjTKahnuWEpfqzDamjROcim0T1x1GbEpEvqGx9NaBWBAgxxacxh-E1xYHdLcGa-YB2F5UkBnfSx9ytyj_VpCbTeQWq26DUH8s/s200/Snowy+Plover+%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Snowy Plover,<br />
Buffalo Creek Salt Flat</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #f50000; font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Number 9:</span><span style="color: #f99700; font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">You missed an opportunity to experience the Selman Ranch. It's private and the birding there is a business, so you can still come but you'll need to schedule it. Let's see Snowy Plovers, Ladder-backed Woodpecker and did I mention Lesser Prairie-chickens?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ee9xnwXZAafOkKWyTmeg2gIklorJJ6nW14CpXgheSsG2qSG4_rUWiWJpOubyg7qCosTVoC9eh12DfTe1bp_u9hunVVRV4uDWYoALiy581VwO8zSfDHTGA__7ozKvIX4bKEW_rxFt5MY/s1600/Buffalo+Creek+Salt+Flats+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ee9xnwXZAafOkKWyTmeg2gIklorJJ6nW14CpXgheSsG2qSG4_rUWiWJpOubyg7qCosTVoC9eh12DfTe1bp_u9hunVVRV4uDWYoALiy581VwO8zSfDHTGA__7ozKvIX4bKEW_rxFt5MY/s400/Buffalo+Creek+Salt+Flats+%25283%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #f50000; font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Number 8:</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> There were so many talented artists at this year's symposium and art show you would have had a hard time walking out without dipping into that tight-wad wallet of yours (hey, I'm speaking for myself here too!)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #f50000; font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Number 7:</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> The star gazing show at the Selman Living Laboratory, not to mention the expert guidance of Dr. Bill Caire, oh and don't forget the International Space Station flight across the sky that Saturday evening.<span style="color: #f50000;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #f50000; font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Number 6:</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> The Saturday night "Owl Prowl" and your's truly successfully calling in an Eastern Screech Owl, using I might add not a single electronic device. Did I mention that it perched just over top of the sidewalk, in the clear and only about ten feet away; it also allowed each tour participant an opportunity to view? I'm nearly failing to mention the Common Poorwill that also responded to my coaxing, although we failed to get a look at the rascal. Am I gloating? <span style="color: #f50000;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYznazk8_yuy97uGmQG5lKmEsAWkNikXaWsTY9i0fTZd4YtiIKM2nVX1ILgk5lWWmmFhZtRA_z3rqFpYXHHot-ihdnCsuEOOgDubWdZAhNaLIVfzZ92YYH-wFOUNyrGGjxSs7co9cL-o8/s1600/Wood+Duck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYznazk8_yuy97uGmQG5lKmEsAWkNikXaWsTY9i0fTZd4YtiIKM2nVX1ILgk5lWWmmFhZtRA_z3rqFpYXHHot-ihdnCsuEOOgDubWdZAhNaLIVfzZ92YYH-wFOUNyrGGjxSs7co9cL-o8/s320/Wood+Duck.JPG" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drake Wood Ducks</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: #f50000; font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Number 5:</span><span style="color: #ae8000; font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> <span style="color: black;">On</span> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;">Saturday's Harper/Woodward County Birding Tour we racked up 77 species for the short day and watched the Fort Supply Reservoir go off like I've never experienced. Let's see,Marbled Godwit, Bald Eagle, 2 Western Grebes, over 350 Eared Grebes in breeding plumage, American Pipit, Burrowing Owl, Snowy Plover, Least and Baird's Sandpiper, Wood Duck...........that should be enough to wet your appetite for next year's festival!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tjfbgpQAty0n4cbYBA6Z7d7dKkCti3fZqBj17XpoUwWf5jDA39rkBX84_WtRY1iRZwzhS5NDc296wg8bhyphenhyphenQi_thZmvR6AyZOZS9IvoHXoQ7MqxmUbqAw4OOzwHUxQ9Qmdz8pdxH5KDM/s1600/Osprey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tjfbgpQAty0n4cbYBA6Z7d7dKkCti3fZqBj17XpoUwWf5jDA39rkBX84_WtRY1iRZwzhS5NDc296wg8bhyphenhyphenQi_thZmvR6AyZOZS9IvoHXoQ7MqxmUbqAw4OOzwHUxQ9Qmdz8pdxH5KDM/s320/Osprey.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osprey</td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: #f50000; font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Number 4</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">:</span></span><span style="color: #260967; font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;">You missed participating in the fence marking conservation event. We helped the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife mark fences on their Cimarron Bluffs property, for prairie-chicken conservation.</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #f50000; font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Number 2.5:</span><span style="color: #efa54c; font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;">You missed the opportunity to meet Merlin Little Thunder, this year's festival artist, and his beautiful painting "When the Prairie Danced and Sang Under Painted Sky". The original has been sold already so if you want to see it you either need to view it on-line, buy a print, or come out and bird for a day at the Selman Ranch and you can view the original. Did I forget to mention though that it's a business, and you'll need to schedule a visit.</span><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #f50000; font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Number 2:</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;"> You missed meeting and listening to our keynote speaker Bill Thompson III, editor of Birdwatcher's Digest, writer and blogger, musical meistro and all around fun guy to be around. Did I mention the live performance of a wonderful Wood Guthrie standard, and then later two more songs one of which the whole crowd joined in on.. "Momma don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowbirds". Yeah, you missed that!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;">I couldn't make up my mind which talented guest deserved the number two slot, so I took them both halfway in some sort of weird, justifiable only in my own mind, kind of way.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #f50000; font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">and the Number One "Thing You Missed When You Did Not Attend this Year's Lek Treks & More Lesser Prairie-chicken Festival.":</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #f50000; font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoAMPxrQ7u6eKn9qy7e6owgHLQd5qWNQWPORZfjHWPLmcvF4q8-XdA4RTdX2xMIO9aLMwxkiwV65N1WPEPlP86_2MgQ7XAaax6Mv5SS3c-6TcitdkeKrvQRBW8w-KbsIwLw6RwtgXl5U/s1600/Lesser+Prairie+Chicken%252C+Woodward+County%252C+Selman%252C+April.+20-25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoAMPxrQ7u6eKn9qy7e6owgHLQd5qWNQWPORZfjHWPLmcvF4q8-XdA4RTdX2xMIO9aLMwxkiwV65N1WPEPlP86_2MgQ7XAaax6Mv5SS3c-6TcitdkeKrvQRBW8w-KbsIwLw6RwtgXl5U/s640/Lesser+Prairie+Chicken%252C+Woodward+County%252C+Selman%252C+April.+20-25.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Did I mention the Lesser Prairie-Chickens?</span></strong></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: red;">And just in case my top ten list didn't get through to you, how about the fact that all of the photos in this post are from a very talented twelve year old, John David McQuaig. Yeah, you missed him too..</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-20941069552531314322011-04-06T10:33:00.001-05:002011-04-06T11:08:05.229-05:00A Visit to Indigo Hills<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkY2ZxOg_P02UJL0-lea9xuz98fkAxiUqgAovCteCbJb5UCWDs50FVq-DFQIe_1shQEqIs4eUU4VOXZ2oFik8h0IKAlY86OT5_uu7QSBHtoaOxqK__0s9mzrNWOStzGfiq5BT4FU2X2AI/s1600/P3100011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkY2ZxOg_P02UJL0-lea9xuz98fkAxiUqgAovCteCbJb5UCWDs50FVq-DFQIe_1shQEqIs4eUU4VOXZ2oFik8h0IKAlY86OT5_uu7QSBHtoaOxqK__0s9mzrNWOStzGfiq5BT4FU2X2AI/s320/P3100011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julie, Bill and Chet Baker, three fifths of the tribe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In honor of last year's and this year's keynote speakers for the <a href="http://www.okaudubon.org/">Lek Treks & More Lesser Prairie- Chicken</a> Festival, I saved this post for just the right moment (hopefully this is it)! About four weeks ago, well easier put, during "spring break" I made my way to the east coast for a little visit with family. Particularly pertinent to current topics on this blog I made my way to Indigo Hills, Ohio as well! Indigo Hill isn't exactly a town, more the name of a beautiful house atop a ridge-line in south-eastern Ohio. It also happens to be the home of <a href="http://www.billofthebirds.blogspot.com/">Bill Thompson III</a> and <a href="http://www.juliezickefoose.com/index.php">Julie Zickefoose</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JuWyqICUQGWhyphenhyphenHHOyVZLEmUoNsmi9jJuTSnDuoWHG7Zmr3OUODjfSKV3qv6aahqATjny8PT5zCu1APL3GF7WXAvjcYrES854A79C1Yoi5C6bg8f9g6fUvvHPUhWNnXvHUFIFzWcpi7U/s1600/P3100012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JuWyqICUQGWhyphenhyphenHHOyVZLEmUoNsmi9jJuTSnDuoWHG7Zmr3OUODjfSKV3qv6aahqATjny8PT5zCu1APL3GF7WXAvjcYrES854A79C1Yoi5C6bg8f9g6fUvvHPUhWNnXvHUFIFzWcpi7U/s200/P3100012.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigo Hills!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The former is the editor of <a href="http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/">Birdwatcher's Digest </a>; the latter, a widely known artist and writer, both well known for being drenched with talent for which it would take too long to describe here. You'll just have to trust me and visit their websites, links provided, see for yourself!<br />
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After having missed my exit for the the dynamic duos house, and after a long evening of restless sleep in my car in West Virginia, I finally arrived to a smiling and supportive Julie. Whom, like every good mother ran a hot bath and told me to go chill and to rest my score muscles. I obliged, with bubbles I might add, and found myself sitting, rested, and ready for some conversation a little later in Julie's kitchen. Perhaps one of the kindest shows of hospitality I have seen through my years traveling here and there! Conversations ran from birds to music, life and then back again. This was pretty much the case for the entire visit. <br />
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So for two days and nights I spent the evening in the glow of both Bill and Julie, and their two wonderful kids I might add. There was talk of a particular new bird guide that didn't thrill me too much, that might make a nice little post for later. Discussions between Bill and I about the life birds we are planning to get him while he is in Oklahoma. Things like how much time do we have to pretty much cover as much of western Oklahoma as possible? Which, let me tell is gonna make for one hell of good time! Will we be visiting Meers for a famous burger, etc, etc.. Music was of course, mentioned previously, also on topic. Both Bill and Julie are wonderful songwriters and musicians, something of which I try to live a bit myself, so the instruments were opened up and the three crazy birds took to singing! Reluctantly, only because I'm shy about it, I have added one of two basement recordings (okay so it's been added as a widget on the top left of this web page, song title "When You Gonna Let Me In"), the other to be shared for another post that's coming soon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE-W5ccEm5BTtWlHvug6kFv6j0h6Rw72v1hg99jW8XP5jyAcCYGetrlPVuDVXDJrMe3LUmmlOgWezM6ZyRQS89hcKPPgVaUNZjxF5Kh06Poh2H1QjiPB_XlMX18Q3oyaOnK9mQSCSl48/s1600/P3100007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE-W5ccEm5BTtWlHvug6kFv6j0h6Rw72v1hg99jW8XP5jyAcCYGetrlPVuDVXDJrMe3LUmmlOgWezM6ZyRQS89hcKPPgVaUNZjxF5Kh06Poh2H1QjiPB_XlMX18Q3oyaOnK9mQSCSl48/s320/P3100007.JPG" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill giving me a lesson, on my guitar! </td></tr>
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</div>So generally, I'm here telling you that when you don't show up to the Lek Treks & More Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival you're missing a sure fire good time and it's your own fault! Not only that but you're gonna miss Bill Thompson III's keynote address at the banquet Saturday (April 16) evening in Woodward, OK. I'm sure just like his wife, who we were honored to have last year as the keynote speaker, Bill's address will provide plenty to think about, chuckle at and generally enjoy. This ain't no three day tour though, you get to hear him for one night only! Understanding what kind of schedule this guy keeps I can say with some confidence, it will be a little while before he graces Oklahoma again!<br />
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So what about the birds? Well, I mostly got treated to the smorgasbord that the Indigo Hills feeders provided. Everything from Eastern Bluebirds to Red-bellied Woodpeckers and even a Fox Sparrow which I hadn't seen in a while. The entire visit it was either raining, snowing or looking like it was going to in the near future, so we stayed indoors most of the time. Of course I did get my year's first American Woodcock. I only needed to step out on their back deck and give a quick listen. So for now that's it, I'm still in the trenches up in prairie-chicken land, "Afield in Oklahoma" or Ohio, whichever fits at the moment.</div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-60059335436207219372011-04-02T11:28:00.000-05:002011-04-02T11:28:27.706-05:00Tis' the Season for Chicken Love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">That's right ladies you heard me, chicken love. If you know anything about anything, you know there ain't nothin' like it! How can you resist the temptations of the male cock strutting, stomping and cackling it's way into your heart? Well if you think you can resist just read on and you might think differently afterwards!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA9uSYC8f7_YUvr1ZLHng_QQOzU6Q3IxdyZRZnwi25i9ayyhTaaJH8rO6xoTm93OuPN6aldZCLeN9Knoipy12Fw-n8HrJP6YqRhYQeXfqx5Dxx9eg2-lF1TMJ7F38UcCx4gjCpgjZjSA/s1600/_MG_3337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA9uSYC8f7_YUvr1ZLHng_QQOzU6Q3IxdyZRZnwi25i9ayyhTaaJH8rO6xoTm93OuPN6aldZCLeN9Knoipy12Fw-n8HrJP6YqRhYQeXfqx5Dxx9eg2-lF1TMJ7F38UcCx4gjCpgjZjSA/s320/_MG_3337.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eye combs swollen and air-sac vibrating. <br />
"There's a female somewhere, I just know it!"<br />
photo by: Susan Hammerly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Okay, so maybe I went a bit far, but seriously it is time for some chicken love. Lesser Prairie-Chickens are gathering in the southwest, the hills and prairies of Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. The sand-hills will be filled with the peculiar sound of cock Lesser Prairie-Chickens doing what they do best, puttin' on for the ladies! There will be feathers lost, air-sacs punctured, close calls with coyotes and the occasional raptor. If the boys are lucky there will also be the occasional successful copulation.<br />
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I am currently cruising the country roads of NW, Oklahoma in search of leks or mating grounds. Working with and for the University of Oklahoma, and the G.M. Sutton Avian Research. The goal of the surveys are to assess habitat, and determine the number of leks in the region. I'm sure the data will be used for plenty of other things, but I'm not completely sure what those other things are. So am I seeing birds you ask? Well of course, as a matter of fact two days ago held two leks and a total of fourteen birds. Even with less than favorable conditions the birds are out and are really kicking up the scratch..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnAbNpP_955wDv7pbWStiYPfu6HiWnQ2b6Gn_cmrzMJ6vTNmfiBIgu_-m4kdJxqyRl7i0o1mWKqKWX3V_-RCyAqET2mONSXikNYgqY-SeeOcUInOAeOtZt5xo7r4F5NX5JL5V75uuPLU/s1600/_MG_3380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnAbNpP_955wDv7pbWStiYPfu6HiWnQ2b6Gn_cmrzMJ6vTNmfiBIgu_-m4kdJxqyRl7i0o1mWKqKWX3V_-RCyAqET2mONSXikNYgqY-SeeOcUInOAeOtZt5xo7r4F5NX5JL5V75uuPLU/s1600/_MG_3380.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two males squaring off for a confrontation, it's time to get serious!<br />
photo by: Susan Hammerly<br />
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</tbody></table>So, as I sit in front of a nice little fire I've built for myself this evening, I figured I could show you some photos to wet your appetite; just in case you were thinking, "Hey, I still need that dang bird on my life list." I've included some shots taken by Susan Hammerly. She was just one of three wonderful ladies that visited the <a href="http://www.selmanranch.com/">Selman Ranch</a> this past Saturday for a chance to view grouse in what they called a "scenic setting". Of course they were right on target. So excuse me while I throw in a little festival promotion quickly. The Oklahoma Audubon Council with the help of numerous supporters are holding their third annual <a href="http://www.okaudubon.org/lektreks2011.pdf">Lek Treks & and More Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival</a> this year in Woodward, Oklahoma. There's too much going on to try and summarize it here, but we are going to have one heck of a time! Just click the link and take a look, and then send in your registration because there is still lots of space!<br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The three researchers/students were from the University of Northern Texas and all have traveled a great deal and shared many stories with me that got my blood pumping for new life birds again. I dropped them off Saturday morning, wind starting to blow and the heavy fog releasing a dense mist that made observation pretty cruddy. But, they kept the faith through the weather and came up with some great shots. After a morning of photographs and videos, some of which they have allowed me to share with you, I spent the better part of the afternoon showing them around the ranch. Our list pushed up to around forty species, highlights being the grouse of course, but we also managed to dig up a few lifers for everyone, well except for me that is!<br />
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Some highlights for the day, either a life bird for someone or just a fun observation!<br />
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Marsh Wren<br />
Vesper's Sparrow<br />
Song Sparrow<br />
Field Sparrow<br />
Harris's Sparrow<br />
Rock Wren<br />
Greater Roadrunner<br />
Snowy Plover<br />
Greater Yellowlegs<br />
Semi-palmated Sandpiper<br />
American Golden Plover<br />
Baird's Sandpiper<br />
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After an afternoon of birding and some short lessons on sparrow identification they went on their way. They left behind some goodies they had gathered up for me: cookies, sweets, muffins and a homemade Chocolate Chip Pear Cake which I had never heard of but quickly learned to appreciate, all in all and weather aside it was a great day to be afield in Oklahoma! </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-36193468726372567852011-01-23T22:07:00.000-06:002011-01-23T22:07:07.586-06:00Briefly, the past two months or so..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Admittedly I have been less than successful keeping things updated here at Afield in Oklahoma. Just the same I am keeping things going, and will definitely keep moving along trying to create some kind of place for people to stop and enjoy. I will also try and post a few more times than last year!<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">These past two months have seen the end of my part-time paid work for the National Audubon Society. Like a roller coaster that year of being employed, by the organization I have been a member of since I was a boy (on and off though), was a real dream come true. If things work out in the future, I’m pretty sure all parties involved would love to see it go back to the same state. But until then I’ll keep representing the state as the Important Bird Areas Coordinator for Oklahoma, albeit on a volunteer status. The downfalls of non-profit work!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So what have I been doing you ask? Well lets see, a little carpentry work, trying to find sources of funding for Oklahoma’s Audubon endeavor, trying to manage getting some habitat improvement work completed on the Selman Ranch Important Bird Area and in general trying to stay busy! Birding has been slow for me, and I drool as I read posts from birders all across Oklahoma reporting the rare and uncommon species that are showing up this winter. But you’d be mistaken if you thought I didn’t have anything rolled up in my sleeve. So here is a smattering of photos from the past couple months with some comments to fill in the blank spaces.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning sunrise, breaching the West Range of the Wichita Mountains</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Turkey on the Quannah Range of the Fort Sill Military Reservation. Taken during the 2010/11<br />
Wichita Mountains Christmas Bird Count.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Another amazing Oklahoma Sunset</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMjuOfudwgFJQ67fJo4yMXmgC0wGLU9D3CbVrXIIxteyBZ08h5GRUp2D8f_Dkt1Q-3Nnw0TGqGJskrSbURvwhgGozuf0LxiFANBk6LCXsZNO9l0MCnfHajRI6eMH7wmzxbXiAuKayW9U/s1600/P1050061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMjuOfudwgFJQ67fJo4yMXmgC0wGLU9D3CbVrXIIxteyBZ08h5GRUp2D8f_Dkt1Q-3Nnw0TGqGJskrSbURvwhgGozuf0LxiFANBk6LCXsZNO9l0MCnfHajRI6eMH7wmzxbXiAuKayW9U/s400/P1050061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> What we like to call a "Ditch Parrot" in Oklahoma! Okay so we all know that it's a Ring-necked Pheasant, I'll be honest the ditch parrot name was something I picked up last week from Dave Brown of <a href="http://arizonabirdhunts.com/">Dave Brown Outfitters</a>, a Quail Hunting Guide, who visits Oklahoma. Actually its more like what Canucks from Arizona call them, but hey I thought it was funny and decided to share.<br />
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So the pheasant took me back a few years. When I was teenager I hunted every season with my father, uncles and cousins in Pennsylvania. For some reason I never stuck with it, although every now and again I think about some of that White-tailed Deer bologna that he used to have made and I reconsider my position. The bounty of quail that were coming through the doors of the Selman Ranch didn't help either!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqLQDPRueArIbrlt1TjeOuux7_MHy_Dwi6t_W7btWu3enRY4cNZh8QGYqrGuU2uFLrw6-UqVabgFIvY4TKwacwQgZpOJxAuLszMAW0QLJciHpP6LeqKhza4uBwDXEZN_VOz8LPtvE6bk/s1600/P1170074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqLQDPRueArIbrlt1TjeOuux7_MHy_Dwi6t_W7btWu3enRY4cNZh8QGYqrGuU2uFLrw6-UqVabgFIvY4TKwacwQgZpOJxAuLszMAW0QLJciHpP6LeqKhza4uBwDXEZN_VOz8LPtvE6bk/s400/P1170074.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bald Eagle, one of many at Canton Reservoir this season</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Below are some documentation photos and information for a juvenile Glaucous Gull that I located and photographed thanks to a little help from Candyce Kline and Sue Selman. It was on Experiment Lake in Woodward, OK on the 14th of January 2011. It never approached any closer than around 100 yards, fortunately it was a crystal clear day so it wasn't too difficult to observe and photograph. I cropped the hell out of these photos but nothing else was adjusted.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, until next time!</div></div></div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-54171295368594245072010-10-10T11:25:00.003-05:002010-10-10T11:59:38.086-05:00Red-necked PhalaropeWell, on my way to the Selman Ranch for some fence work and conversations over mesquite smoked ribs and home made, well home made everything, I managed to swing by an alkaline pond that has provided numerous good birds over the years. It is extremely dry in Harper County at the moment and the pond I visited has never been as shallow as what it was on Friday evening. Usually there are at least a few birds around its shores and flitting about here and there. However, that was not the case this day. There was a single bird on the water though, and much to my excitement it was a Red-necked Phalarope.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54ZGCS6cy1wsJklM_l_KULP-FEuh3kdFRxn6cL0MYIloejv_O93RP4cWrvZcZCFmlsYcl7EMGx0D9Y9GnLDQXofwi_a7q512uZjb2lTpnw6mOkMJGBuZCKf8YIYr_yv55ZbgHAIIZxY0/s1600/PA080136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54ZGCS6cy1wsJklM_l_KULP-FEuh3kdFRxn6cL0MYIloejv_O93RP4cWrvZcZCFmlsYcl7EMGx0D9Y9GnLDQXofwi_a7q512uZjb2lTpnw6mOkMJGBuZCKf8YIYr_yv55ZbgHAIIZxY0/s320/PA080136.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It took wading out a hundred yards in two and a half feet of mud to get a few good photos but it was certainly worth it. The bird was extremely patient, it allowed me to approach as close as 15 feet away and never flew. I watched and recorded it feeding for around twenty minutes and then turned my attention to wading back to the car and figuring out how to keep the inside of the vehicle clean. I've included a few of the best photos, enjoy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAd_cGwG4YjIh7ePjr0BmLtzOA0vBghBeZA6S0_ROkcvstTQnYizTIjiy0FpnQyNdDr0EECHhFHmmGgcie8JcNqR02pFsLhFQMpqbI5x6S818Qw6BX6wk-edSGh-z06Bo1LJFqzqWsUlM/s1600/PA080132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAd_cGwG4YjIh7ePjr0BmLtzOA0vBghBeZA6S0_ROkcvstTQnYizTIjiy0FpnQyNdDr0EECHhFHmmGgcie8JcNqR02pFsLhFQMpqbI5x6S818Qw6BX6wk-edSGh-z06Bo1LJFqzqWsUlM/s400/PA080132.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZBXYkNZJQkjkGjla9xlKPgFXt9zjZEcFC0gpbMRwOAP1r81IyDN2JGGMvVR5dNyGMgMoltaVcdN8RawxBOKYkHBS-GX-Aq0_a77YbAlbAYP3-D3oiBmQVJYRQI0TT7iOvDXuoIJBNjU/s1600/PA080142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZBXYkNZJQkjkGjla9xlKPgFXt9zjZEcFC0gpbMRwOAP1r81IyDN2JGGMvVR5dNyGMgMoltaVcdN8RawxBOKYkHBS-GX-Aq0_a77YbAlbAYP3-D3oiBmQVJYRQI0TT7iOvDXuoIJBNjU/s320/PA080142.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The celebratory after photo, and yes those are bare feet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzGxGxo7yO0FXabAYu5c0E-ojGuN2ZbnCoHeabzXMC9123nRqion9B20Oh3k_X1gkVx5z31U1NGkxkOS71R' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-47680350109541909102010-09-28T12:23:00.000-05:002010-09-28T12:23:04.897-05:00There's Still More Work to be Done!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;">So hear is the meat of the situation! The second weekend of October, the Oklahoma Important Bird Areas Program with support from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, The Sutton Avian Research Center, TogetherGreen, SIA the Comanche Nation Ethno-ornithological Initiative, The Selman Ranch LLC, the Oklahoma Audubon Council, and the Tulsa Audubon Society.......surely I'm forgetting someone, will be holding a fence work weekend at the Selman Ranch IBA and other properties nearby. We will meet at the Selman Ranch starting on Friday the 8th of October in the evening. Work will begin on Saturday morning, the 9th and will wrap up on the 10th. Volunteers are welcome to show up through out the weekend, staying the entire weekend is highly recommended. I will post directions to the event in the near future and will accept questions via email, phone calls, facebook...ect...The weekend will not be limited to just work, there is always plenty of time for wildlife watching, good conversations, and a lot of fun. Food details are being worked out and there will be more information coming out about that in the future. If you can't attend but still would like to contribute, through a donation to the Tulsa Audubon Society you can help pay for food, beverages or help off- set other costs such as lodging compensation for the Selman Ranch ect. Just contact me or John Kennington ( johnkennington@gmail.com) for more information on that.</span></span></span><br />
<div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
So while you consider the event let me take you on a short trip to the prairie!<br />
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The thermometer has begun its decent into the fall and young, male prairie chickens are beginning to gather at the lekking grounds for a chance to work on next spring’s repertoire of ritual song and dance. The annual migration is well on its way as well, and every once in a while the sound of an overhead Upland Sandpiper charms your senses. As you continue to walk along the fence line, every few moments you are reminded by subtle beauty, the reason you have come to western, Oklahoma. Sure your taking some time out of your day to make a few miles of fence safe for a local population of threatened game birds, but you also realize that quiet moments like the one you are in now are truly what life is about.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5DynDnNMtypIdqRIZ3GdwtWQb2XZxwy6D3uI0Mfxen1jOGqKqy-dBOaJ0kuDpa6jv59bRKPNyY-wRvhzUPF77TDi3ImYDELcWieEGYHfqDf-oiO7D2Jq90r-XtVjC8m0fdY_MSCFOzU/s1600/P9060104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519821211732260242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5DynDnNMtypIdqRIZ3GdwtWQb2XZxwy6D3uI0Mfxen1jOGqKqy-dBOaJ0kuDpa6jv59bRKPNyY-wRvhzUPF77TDi3ImYDELcWieEGYHfqDf-oiO7D2Jq90r-XtVjC8m0fdY_MSCFOzU/s200/P9060104.JPG" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;" width="200" /></a>A week and a half ago I spent some time in the Texas panhandle working to remove and mark fences in prime prairie chicken country. Lipscomb Co, Texas to be more precise. By the end of day three my body was already starting to feel pretty worn over. Marking fences is pretty relaxing, removing fences on the other hand is dirty, hard work. Blood, sweat, and well, there are no tears but you get the picture. Even with gloves you sometimes get scratched; numerous times I found myself working away and completely oblivious to the fact that my whole fore-arm was covered in blood. Really a simple scratch but had someone seen me they would have freaked out, believing it to be a bit more serious<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFEuXtEgMSJytY46vSgQO75rliXLONnMxTDIkiIPbLfCqjKCViagYh0b_YIA5bbip-3hbV0UExExUH29C_6zo5P7iHNeIq8fRhpVu9z1Pk_Y8qv7ts16XShsCE7Sz0Ub-7v1_F7j0KCA/s1600/P9070126.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="195" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520209592218635682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFEuXtEgMSJytY46vSgQO75rliXLONnMxTDIkiIPbLfCqjKCViagYh0b_YIA5bbip-3hbV0UExExUH29C_6zo5P7iHNeIq8fRhpVu9z1Pk_Y8qv7ts16XShsCE7Sz0Ub-7v1_F7j0KCA/s320/P9070126.JPG" style="display: block; height: 244px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Prairie Chicken (one of two), Lipscomb County, Texas. September 7, 2010<br />
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Why did the chicken cross the road?<br />
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Because, it apparently got confused by the fence that was blocking its way. Not unlike a Guinea Hen this particular bird, pictured above, would not follow it's companions example and fly over the fence. Instead it ran up and down the fence line then turned around and high tailed it back over the county road and into an unfenced area. Yet, there are still those who continue to argue that fences don't pose some particular type of problem to prairie grouse! Or that the problems cease to exist in particular states, seriously! Did I go there...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I don’t like to refer to it as “fence removal”. I much rather prefer a description, something like: “breaking the prairie free of its steal and wood barriers.” Recapturing what was once the Great Plains, and making it so again. That sounds far more tantalizing to me! I like to imagine what it was like when you could stand on the knoll of a hill and gaze upon the seemingly endless ocean of prairie. Winds create ripples upon the surface of the grasses; Northern Harrier’s moving, not at all unlike an albatross across an open sea. The smells of sage, and ragweed draw you into the scene more deeply.<br />
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One of the best feelings I have ever had was that of turning around, after having removed about a half mile of old fence, and catching a glimpse of a fenceless prairie. For that brief moment, there in front of me, in my small field of vision was that ancient prairie from our not so long ago past. Like the harrier pitching and rolling over the sandhill, my mind was free and so was my body. I want to share that feeling with as many people as possible. I want to show you why I, and so many others have dedicated our lives to ensuring that these special places and the flora and fauna found within them persist. I want you to hear the sounds and smell the air, and then decide for yourself that these birds, wildlife, and the lands they depend upon for survival can and will be preserved for future generations.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal">I have come to our community numerous times with the same request; time and time again people step forward and willingly make the excursion to northwest, Oklahoma to work and share time. We have shared sunrises and sunsets that set the earth afire, all standing silently in awe as the the shy shared with us vibrant purples and reds. Some have seen mountain lion bounding over the prairie. Bluebirds have stood out starkly against a background from a whole different color palette, amazing onlookers with the brilliant hues that were deeper than the blue sky above where we stood.</div></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemAb1C3On68TFVW1zbXwn8XQNRWw3coIjjxnkdzend2pfdpvIq6JyiXiEzF_DiZ0ImYoUOHw9RDSWfXRphTelBHO0D6zlaMqhyFTxF9obw9l2yc9mnCz1QMmY9aMq00ameuZN4r9X5w0/s1600/P9080131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519821226912377954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemAb1C3On68TFVW1zbXwn8XQNRWw3coIjjxnkdzend2pfdpvIq6JyiXiEzF_DiZ0ImYoUOHw9RDSWfXRphTelBHO0D6zlaMqhyFTxF9obw9l2yc9mnCz1QMmY9aMq00ameuZN4r9X5w0/s200/P9080131.JPG" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;" width="200" /></a></div><br />
All of this beauty was shared during a volunteer event that was coordinated for the benefit of a local population of the Lesser Prairie Chicken. Through the many volunteers hours that have supported the Oklahoma Important Bird Areas program we have been able to make thousands of acres safe for travel for the prairie chicken. Your support has allowed us to show the different state, and federal agencies that this issue is important and how we are willing to put the time in to show how much we support any work for this threatened species. It's important to keep moving forward with this work, for a number of reasons. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8CUwqX1NRdm1VWmJO4L79iNGXkormnC8oT8b9p_8ui4PLZJvBaBW-5M0bs0TkLGsfo64Dv4uQJzPN4RevY86bG9Ng_yiAWPLiSuvToVsKyMmDDYCguuXQkgEfvxy4bmLzVSsMyVyvJI/s1600/P9080135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8CUwqX1NRdm1VWmJO4L79iNGXkormnC8oT8b9p_8ui4PLZJvBaBW-5M0bs0TkLGsfo64Dv4uQJzPN4RevY86bG9Ng_yiAWPLiSuvToVsKyMmDDYCguuXQkgEfvxy4bmLzVSsMyVyvJI/s320/P9080135.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The battle over land in western, Oklahoma continues to drive on. Slowly but surely the permanent plans for oil, gas, wind and transmission line development are being agreed upon and the lines in the sand are drawn permanently. Thousands of acres, many native prairie, are being lost to new energy development every year. In the case of wind farms and transmission lines their development carries on with only the suggestion of voluntary environmental reporting. Areas like the Selman Ranch Important Bird Area and public properties like Cimarron Bluff and Cimarron Hills Wildlife Management Areas become the sites that we need to turn our attention to. These places will serve as holdings for this and other species in the future, and it is all of our duties to make sure that the lands are in good order for them and the rest of the wildlife present. Managing lands for the Lesser Prairie Chicken is pretty simple. Summarized (hugely) it all boils down to invasive plant species control, a good fire regime, seeing to it that fences are removed and marked, and ensuring that we keep these large land holdings public and that if we can, see to it that they increase in size over time. Sure I know some of you hard science types are saying, "well it's a little more complicated than that". Honestly it is, but the actual heavy lifting that needs to happen, when your feet are firmly planted in the soil, is simple and can easily and quickly be taken care of, that is no lie! If you want to argue with me about it then stand your ground at the next volunteer event and I would be happy to have a conversation!<br />
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See you in the prairie!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519837211826127682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_96Iy8gVNBpmGH3cxz0MAGocZRDL3yzJgeagqBpF0YqYtZY0KuJlTP03dwvWwQcPipmRp0rN0mZCnVsdoffIEBtDANHSuT34bzxJNfYeidNycHSFB_oNo1-rs9BOQRbpIPHR2OwAhoQs/s400/P9090140.JPG" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sachem (<i>Atalopeded campestris</i>) </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0F8EUnr04Oet4EJs0irvoDvbcYn65kIMGpO0iYAS2qNMbofNesyQi08niPoqnxuEX5fwJ2zZ5sP8NOfVOoqeTUGDPK8zadOpoXDeN_DL11Xb45ssFpipWvIU0FG-aI8XU2WC0uM5gUK8/s1600/P9060100.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519821196838407602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0F8EUnr04Oet4EJs0irvoDvbcYn65kIMGpO0iYAS2qNMbofNesyQi08niPoqnxuEX5fwJ2zZ5sP8NOfVOoqeTUGDPK8zadOpoXDeN_DL11Xb45ssFpipWvIU0FG-aI8XU2WC0uM5gUK8/s400/P9060100.JPG" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very young rattle snake, only about seven inches long and as thick as my pinky finger. Never figured out what species it was.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-25489799121031002682010-06-22T22:09:00.014-05:002010-07-01T18:25:08.840-05:00Pollinate Me Baby!<div style="text-align: center;"></div><span><span><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbByvlxpI1jh4R3k0zqFyIxg3_DGvI901C8oOPint9O3fIsQLLngnwjlbpf-C7Rf74DUzDKDcC6-dVcWxn_hYAx1Nl_DKT3T1LYzCUVxm2o_O5145CIzp85OeClEVBJsD1B2tcApHH3s/s400/P7010010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489052465865356834" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't often watch cable television, but sometimes I find myself in a hotel for a night and will "plug in" for a bit. One <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">particular</span> evening at a hotel, a commercial came on the television for a hardware store. The point of the commercial, "don't waste your time turning your backyard into an oasis, come to so and so (it may have been Ace, but that doesn't really matter) and get the job done quickly so you can watch the game, or read some comics." Well this post is a tribute to that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">commercial</span> and my continuation of living a life in a world of beauty, sweat, hard work and some fun in there too!</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04pRscThISG5zuXFJ_0EESj4O_Lh00khjWAllI-OlQ-Wwa158SWD4Rbvc8l3V7t2xDPDFGFsLRwHvoww_ngS5_bGPcwwyUFcP4n3iWXYKYo5ZNrKHEOfVqrYJcpL9zJRoB8U4_DwcnCk/s400/P6090190.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488719055290966898" /></div><div> For the record, I will turn my backyard into an oasis! Here's an idea, next time why don't you tell me to stop using my brain or stop filling it with new ideas. Or better yet teach me one way and tell me it's completely okay to be so narrow in my thoughts that I shouldn't look for answers to life's questions anywhere else. As if the answer or answers can be found in only one corner of the world, yeah, not likely! I like my dreams and using my imagination, and I'd like to keep it that way! I will spend as much time getting the job done as is required and I will not be persuaded to sit in front of the television constantly (sure I enjoy movies and the John Stewart show...Colbert too for that matter) instead of relaxing and watching the birds pick bugs from the compost pile or the butterflies and bees <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pollinate</span> my wildflowers and plants. So this is my tribute to the on-going work in what will be my first masterpiece for a yard. Just saying....</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlb3zb-GqH2E7hV6X081Y6VoGvv9m_N829zE1rBRMtZ0dimBNNCZVZ7l8H7VYRxE9QI79IwSZquyXplSmhqkBtwbbABIo2dZ8Bc02hz3FfRGlzfLoJjpvZSL6JiIyrO5GnpOlbYjeyZWU/s400/P6220269.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488719069163231986" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 340px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5-BrJwMZ1H7qANkSEvU3gOUk3mb5qWLJ64n-nDtQ3NiBfTJty5Djbr_h5n91aj9UklsB-Ir0j3UDEk0Kh61xLR50UGif1mOBcKMO8NuG76prhAK5wzyHpZ-bSxwTSqIjMQTJ-Iq02WQ/s400/P6220256.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488715246841659314" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>No captions just the beauty that can be found in my yard, your yard, and your neighbors yard. Just stop and take a look; in my opinion some of the answers to the worlds problems can be found in our backyards....Oh yeah and when I'm finished with this post if you need me you know where I am!</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGQmyMYQKWerNQaxxt2WD8klxe97jM-aEIk_ntep8niIWmGGf1U4XX2wc1xQhxJdYsEnFK37GcfeXTQJCkUAZg6nlVwow0P7H01tHJ6jlTxKP1p-BvcNep-P-v_SeeaqGqmDFWrGjlFY/s400/P6150237.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488715234529622610" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 399px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5bvqU2AbyRubA-cK5ngt_7_wbjoSf6bNi4wb3dLfjzFzFrWtSpkj-905VcfggoZHIujLUEwYSgfPeSHKJc6tbxOiumuXUJnEgKDK4syhjn57zGC5K4ys3-mNxYqK5vEvrOPKXXo5PRA/s400/P6150214.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488715218060967682" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjdBstM-DyR2iftLMqP5mDwQFmbVlIDpM854h1h6lMsGxXt3nhFtyYpi4D8jVeGe_uqegtBEuwiyvPsVQpnr-FKGzP_vnIWup_OPexQ_7Y5GB1QwdxWRK3JQIwgr3ioZBD9OTATFBg-g/s400/P6150207.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488715210071094162" /><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 365px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgdjqc51TXcGa9CdhfS4SchBGJ8KRPyjtK8uSiUoz0Bl-jpPWOgF1V3CsjTx-7VkrBov6IRqfbxHJkzwPtBAdmSnDJpkwseGCgxUhiaCrrMTTWF6bJYfl7Y9n6U1l-W8Tt1ZA2_GEgqw/s400/P6150203.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488715204606957218" /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div> </div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-429091490808759022010-06-12T10:40:00.008-05:002010-06-22T04:21:52.598-05:00Take Two from McCurtain County<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZhPWGhZjOps0msZ1U1-AHhktq80ToJAprRQyREGFpySaajuLYh4HG6itk1yd1VngxJLnnCwIOhYQPhTzgi95oxVMUC5auElBgVHX3GuaEdgH0lQD86MXLBf54R95pZzgj0VbOt5t-80/s1600/Dainty+Sulphur.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 391px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483152697356764594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZhPWGhZjOps0msZ1U1-AHhktq80ToJAprRQyREGFpySaajuLYh4HG6itk1yd1VngxJLnnCwIOhYQPhTzgi95oxVMUC5auElBgVHX3GuaEdgH0lQD86MXLBf54R95pZzgj0VbOt5t-80/s400/Dainty+Sulphur.JPG" /></a><br /><div>The trip was more bust than bang, although it really depends on how you look at the world. To me locating a new population of Bachman's Sparrow is a pretty important little find. After Thursday there wasn't all that much more that happenened in the way of the red list species, unfortunately. Just the same I still managed to enjoy myself while searching more areas, with good company from <a href="http://www.trryan.com/http://">Tim Ryan</a> until Saturday morning. At one point on Sunday I located a wonderfully large Blackberry thicket and proceeded to plunder it for it's juicy goodness which I added to my lunch a little late; plain yogurt, honey and blackberries...mmmm. Carter Creek was tucked away pretty far up into the forest and it took a little while to get there, and was the boundary for one of my search areas. It served as a nice break/lunch spot during an extremely hot (98 degrees) and humid (80%+) day, admitidaly I took a little break in the water which served as a great recharger to get me through a very long and bust day in the field. It was more than just satisfying.<br />I also took a few minutes to take note of as many of the butterflies and odonates as I could. The stream had thousands of Water Willow (above <em>Justicia sp. </em>with a Dainty Sulphur doing its job) blooms throughout its pools and the beautiful little purple and white flowers were pretty popular for the pollinators. Below are a few of the species I was able to get photos of.</div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvc5lGP-69sGhSXvtzmQRl3-0noYRBR7CbGhFLcT92Ad-jv0YETN4UPJCIpZL8vHJz2tRlpQ0hFG6BKH4AgJRbTYR32KBoGagnGDyCUrQQbcGCiyMOowko2MmTN_Q9DKdio6D7fLZysU/s1600/P6060170.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 333px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483373787958788434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvc5lGP-69sGhSXvtzmQRl3-0noYRBR7CbGhFLcT92Ad-jv0YETN4UPJCIpZL8vHJz2tRlpQ0hFG6BKH4AgJRbTYR32KBoGagnGDyCUrQQbcGCiyMOowko2MmTN_Q9DKdio6D7fLZysU/s400/P6060170.JPG" /></a> Common Buckeye (<em>Junonia coenia</em>)<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483373134304862098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDf0dBLrATNXxUq8WW6K5XBn8CpMx8GbAzxhkPpsxUWlithbNXI33wQY4i1rBvOj7w5HV2hdW6fXvwvCLirf1VPRDeEsOq_Fjf_gfMzvZVz32DZmHW9u7lzLquJMPIKUaKdpcMursFGs/s400/Stream+Bluet.JPG" />A wonderful little Stream Bluet (<em>Enallagma exsulans</em>), first I've identified but seemingly common.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmmdbP_xq0aUfhXeSgeuTYeRDctwW9XeVqfheqQGdcDgkfukB8-FFUq6kQi9fTRhaWjZYVnCU8dnXyNoVRiHbhNf_a78vaTrUQG7D05YVdaFnQs6uxyw8sPW9L3yC71Aril73W9WrtTw/s1600/powdered+dancer.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 307px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483373128884320354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmmdbP_xq0aUfhXeSgeuTYeRDctwW9XeVqfheqQGdcDgkfukB8-FFUq6kQi9fTRhaWjZYVnCU8dnXyNoVRiHbhNf_a78vaTrUQG7D05YVdaFnQs6uxyw8sPW9L3yC71Aril73W9WrtTw/s400/powdered+dancer.JPG" /></a> A pair of Powdered Dancers (<em>Argia moesta</em>), caught in the throws of bugginess!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrI3C2dWA39C9kWbnWRVlrX84ruI6t6NC-1KI-OWklIucRGsYdh1A6OlBie5HhIUm22TRBv6oXK8tJfvE_AirUEvBMvAEKAUpmbRIcvfQRTbnKKJ_z1PI1LdqPk_4ABpuGuFpz4rD53Es/s1600/Reakirt's+Blue.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 304px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483152712082434178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrI3C2dWA39C9kWbnWRVlrX84ruI6t6NC-1KI-OWklIucRGsYdh1A6OlBie5HhIUm22TRBv6oXK8tJfvE_AirUEvBMvAEKAUpmbRIcvfQRTbnKKJ_z1PI1LdqPk_4ABpuGuFpz4rD53Es/s400/Reakirt's+Blue.JPG" /></a>Reakirt's Blue (<em>Echinargus isola</em>)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNjrkaPGAm8wtauW9OHAHnitnJW0L-pXw0O9ZQKuGUE9AurAMyxLMmQ6KXRaS_1Cesx8Mqofb7oIz1QrLCcFfYvZ4MSXU5HqiXsmogEedclz2ldDr_YMHE2RNXtf08vGVqKnRjILbRCQ/s1600/Clouded+Sulphur.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 360px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483152706043675490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNjrkaPGAm8wtauW9OHAHnitnJW0L-pXw0O9ZQKuGUE9AurAMyxLMmQ6KXRaS_1Cesx8Mqofb7oIz1QrLCcFfYvZ4MSXU5HqiXsmogEedclz2ldDr_YMHE2RNXtf08vGVqKnRjILbRCQ/s400/Clouded+Sulphur.JPG" /></a> Clouded Sulphur (<em>Colias philodice</em>) on Water Willow<br />I ended up leaving the area on Tuesday of last week after being handed a couple of hints. Hint number one: Sunday evening I spent inside the tent in the middle of a pretty severe thunderstorm and shower. What made it even more interesting was the amount of water flowing under my tent, at least two inches worth, enough so that it made the tent floor into a water-bed of sorts. Hint two: Monday afternoon I was traveling an especially littered and rough forest service road, later I would find that I had picked up a nail which was leaving enough air out of the tire that it was completely flat in about 2.5 hours and me without the spare. Two signs is enough for me, I spent the night in a cheap hotel had breakfast early in the morning which is a whole other story and the fuel for a song I wrote. It didn't take long to get the flat fixed, and shortly thereafter I got the hell out of McCurtain County!<br /><br />I added a few more photos below just for the sake of sharing, taken at different moments during my last foray into the frontier.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMniIU6ZGP19wQarm79SZCGspblKCq5UE2KG_Xz4QBeVw4ChutM0GgDo9txE6co5F1vVOrlwBGV84qlnY4Vv5gDGunnV3niXCv43xBA2dp-0YmMgYcBnfjUmpeUYIcmNr7n4ShlXRmPE/s1600/Ipomopsis+rubra+(Standing+Cypress).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 358px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483548621000029282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMniIU6ZGP19wQarm79SZCGspblKCq5UE2KG_Xz4QBeVw4ChutM0GgDo9txE6co5F1vVOrlwBGV84qlnY4Vv5gDGunnV3niXCv43xBA2dp-0YmMgYcBnfjUmpeUYIcmNr7n4ShlXRmPE/s400/Ipomopsis+rubra+(Standing+Cypress).JPG" /></a> <em>Ipomopsis rubra - </em>Standing Cypress<br /></div></div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7Ro024wVwLZaTDs_BIhJBg1XZMYfPWHo_Wrq46GTMi_U_baeQMqVK9sPDwhpXWZ0oyIuX_pt18pwJ5j0JjuyIdqbHdjoyUjM5Om_0N17MgTp_JF64hqu7znUYJlgiF533mDq0SA_cwk/s1600/coreopsis+tinctoria+(plains+coreopsis).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 384px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483548604595603938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7Ro024wVwLZaTDs_BIhJBg1XZMYfPWHo_Wrq46GTMi_U_baeQMqVK9sPDwhpXWZ0oyIuX_pt18pwJ5j0JjuyIdqbHdjoyUjM5Om_0N17MgTp_JF64hqu7znUYJlgiF533mDq0SA_cwk/s400/coreopsis+tinctoria+(plains+coreopsis).JPG" /></a> <em>Coreopsis tinctoria</em> - Plains Coreopsis<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4UzTUV0h0L874yE63SiAfgRKfsYtt13ZBIlEclNqUsJ7l988s2xMuOw8dTSRmErPIhP-bb2I1G78ugm9jHFs3Pg-wduLrbLn3HXiHfv1tYS6lXAZRpeqgwijSLzGRDqoI16DcLtVXUQ/s1600/asclepias+tuberosa+(Butterfly+Weed).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483548592112859938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4UzTUV0h0L874yE63SiAfgRKfsYtt13ZBIlEclNqUsJ7l988s2xMuOw8dTSRmErPIhP-bb2I1G78ugm9jHFs3Pg-wduLrbLn3HXiHfv1tYS6lXAZRpeqgwijSLzGRDqoI16DcLtVXUQ/s400/asclepias+tuberosa+(Butterfly+Weed).JPG" /></a> <em>Asclepias tuberosa</em> - Butterfly Weed<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 367px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483373778826106402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KMV6hNXoiPdSb3VVLT8S_48XFYyT6O_xxdqf6VHLJhid0A6tKLtOtFnk6U_yMvogmj7DV6nLkIfSqcuQkt-lZvjHDGX4TrZPom6Qf-0WYkff2qzrnxZgwFFdNMp8Tq-H7TWJnk_vlPY/s400/moth.JPG" />Reversed Haploa (<em>Haploa reversa</em>)<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483152719268066834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGp-W9ZnS-y06JJT2PGdC9r-hjDHMeP59qBjmXUTUqbiBu4bYcKoS-CunTD_AwNiNh53g8PiIQw5TZLiUSZiPAZx37jU8wqyBWrAiAjXIN6z0roTxq8hbf8pBSjC1TvM5uV6HzQjy7Nyc/s400/Diana+Fritilary.JPG" />Diana Fritilary (<em>Speyeria diana</em>)</div></div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-60041590437379551872010-06-09T17:14:00.009-05:002010-06-10T13:07:51.231-05:00A quest for the Pine Woods Sparrow!<div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480917593497598130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwG4h3JB1MkNLTEMn9Lob_mxMDzeei7QABR6zvHlo8daweUjrAn4Co9-kT0_JD7vNiK4ZXzOz6TR_NTqMyrKgT3q6HhzQrliqGQCot7J5xeD5EfB7tY3NY-dvN-jNgw2wtX2WlAap6Wo/s400/176_Bachmans_finch.jpg" /> On a quest for the elusive Bachman's Sparrow and unknown populations of this <a href="http://web1.audubon.org/science/species/watchlist/profile.php?speciesCode=bacspa">Audubon Red list </a>species. I arrived late in the afternoon on Wednesday of last week, <a href="http://www.trryan.com/">Tim Ryan</a> had already arrived and was patiently waiting to hit the field, set-up camp and just get moving. It didn't take long before the tent was up, and we were off for a little bit of scouting. By the time that was over I think we were both pretty worn out, enough so I couldn't even begin to muster the energy to get my guitar out and pluck a few chords like I had promised; it would have to wait until the next evening. </div><div><br /><div><div><div>Up and out early in the morning, we spent all day Thursday checking recently thinned and disturbed stands of mature pine for any sign of the species. For most of the day we had no luck. Driving miles and miles of beautiful National Forest roads is not such a bad thing, even if you are not locating the species you were looking for. We had ample opportunity to take in all that the <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/ouachita/">Ouachita National Forest </a>had to offer and at given times, when we would find seemingly decent habitat, we would stomp around and give the area a good search. No Bachman's to be found, but let me assure there was plenty of flora and fauna about and I've provided a few of the photos that go along with the journey. My wife and I (but mostly my wife since I'm not home much) has been building a nice little garden of wildflowers and herbs around the house, and I have been paying attention to those a bit more when I'm out in the field; I'm always looking for some new beauty to add to the collection at home. Of course I relocate the same species along the highway and gather seed stock from there. Why? Because it is illegal to harvest anything from a National Forest without the proper permit, which I do not posses. In order to figure out exactly what it is, I have been taking photos and making sure to take good notes and label any samples that hop in the truck with me from the road side. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480910849198988562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfY2-0rB9TThlU_-t46MHr13Dzgo4nhHuuxYJ6QU9YYgy9nIiN2GxLfU27Wd1qPYozZcm5X191UIzeQu4Frkjo61ry_zi08yQc4GHkip6PAZUcr-aZPRM2RdSrEIoeUW7MFw-NvPxvQc/s400/P6020002.JPG" /> <div>Beauty to be found in Ouachita National Forest; above: Butterflyweed (<em>Asclepias tuberosa</em>)Below: correct me if I'm wrong; White Coneflower (<em>Echinacea purpurea</em>)</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480910839125719106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsEwhIUZdTSVbcSQUehiwqJarUv2a3__I9QC5js7K5QFsi08bHm0GjzgipGRpAAmMiDEXH8udN51ZWCNKUzySJPZ4FIcI40Pft-XaQfIjVaDmTzG6rv5Tky1XSS1bcXILRMbvb4ILoLY/s400/P6020015.JPG" /> <div>Late Thursday afternoon we hit the jackpot. After having struck out all day and getting turned around on the seemingly endless National Forest roads, we found ourselves in some particularly good habitat. I remember saying out loud, "now this looks like exactly where a Bachman's Sparrow would want to be." About ten minutes later, we heard it; I gave Tim a wide eyed look and he said "what do we do now?" Stumbling for my gear and moving as quickly as possible to get myself out of the truck, I responded, "we chase it!" And off we went down through the woods. Five minutes later I was on a sparrow, a few minutes after that we kicked another out of the grass accidentally (no, not literally!). All of the sudden, as if they detected our excitement, numerous birds started calling in close vicinity. I estimated no less than four calling individuals in the general area. A very exciting ending to an extremely hot and long day!</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>I decided to return to the same location Friday morning, but not after Tim got to finally hear me play a few tunes around the campfire on Thursday evening, after a celebratory Shiner! He also insisted on taking video of the whole experience which he later threw into a nice little edited highlight reel, which I have thrown in <a href="http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7hDIqiBzJg">here</a> just for the fun of it; just don't expect all that much! We returned Friday morning to the same area from the afternoon before. I wanted to check the entire location and get a better handle on the number of Bachman's present, no such luck though. There was a dense fog well into the late morning and the birds were not calling, moving or making themselves known. We ended up mapping the roads and checking around the peripheral areas for more potentially suitable spots. Finding ourselves at the lake at one moment, we took a few minutes to snap some photographs of the foggy situation. </div></div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481202078198522210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEARJqtrvfTtdZBRswK8GCPYT8MCXisjRSaZc5FQtbF8qqRgqZzI8hu6IJ_AVlQtcPt1fgdriGqUcxuJhas8v99Kl6cbjQrP-YowVWnlcH8xnbMtwIjk5jTtpaHDxpOimB3k1kOo_y5c/s400/P6030060.JPG" /> <div>Birds, birds what about the birds? Well, the resident warblers were out and making themselves very apparent (wish I could say the same for the Bachman's Sparrows), Black & White, Kentucky, Common Yellowthroat, Pine and Prairies as well. I was pretty surprised at the number of Prairie Warblers we actually heard and observed, far more than I had expected. Yellow-breasted Chats were out making their ruckus as well. We had an exciting moment with a pair of Scarlet Tanagers, it had been at least five years since I had last heard the chekkk-brrrr call of the male. It filled my mind with memories of NW Massachusetts in the spring; a nice way to bring back fond memories! We ran into two Broad-winged Hawks throughout the couple days Tim was with me, unfortunately no photos to go along with it. Hmm, let's see, of course we had a number of Brown-headed Nuthatches and lots and lots of the other smaller but much more common species like Carolina Chickadees, wrens, Tufted Titmice, ect, ect, ect. . . There is far more to talk about, having spent seven days out in it so I think that will warrant a part II.</div></div></div></div></div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-19151580564921383902010-05-30T14:45:00.008-05:002010-06-05T13:15:02.130-05:00The Selman Ranch, birding, bugging and herping...oh my!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_9tgLZmppuWnaYtyKwljxZfZurgjc5pZDdfW2fP9gCWTXtY-E1Paj3GvlwoY38fev5HbzK6hO3znjIjuD7CtK1yoP7LWQRrNyQN9xRviSzV4KWTT_0_ocbDplgrYTgskyx3HE2EqTLA/s1600/P5270134.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477875159231767682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_9tgLZmppuWnaYtyKwljxZfZurgjc5pZDdfW2fP9gCWTXtY-E1Paj3GvlwoY38fev5HbzK6hO3znjIjuD7CtK1yoP7LWQRrNyQN9xRviSzV4KWTT_0_ocbDplgrYTgskyx3HE2EqTLA/s400/P5270134.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>I am preparing to hit the South-east region of Oklahoma for yet another adventure with the Bachman's Sparrow. Before I set out, and after a short honey-do list I decided to put down a little something about my visit to NW Oklahoma over the weekend. I spent 3.5 days doing morning surveys, gathering fence work data (for future fence marking volunteer events) and then splitting my time trying to document the breeding species of birds on the Selman Ranch and working to beef up the county list of <em>Odonata</em> for Harper County, before a certain frontiersman from McCurtain County comes up and plunders the place!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477159442275702034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 336px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0O9_VXMNG-hMQXZA0vNbGzUbkW_b79vnnJg7cjprcO3plUdGxtaV1gSQzLm7MK0njVR0pW1oJH5dtg63D8pQF-7Y_L05R0sZwfBtkeBre3KQX8_Kk0AosHx1FTvq6qPJ1wjkIFxdHAjA/s400/P5270038.JPG" border="0" />Great-crested Flycatchers are common on the ranch, their cousin the Ash-throated Flycatcher not so much, I have only located them once in the past five years.<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The days are long and the summer heat has been turned on in the high plains of Oklahoma. The kind of days when you wake before the sun, put a good morning in, take a break and then wait for the cool evening to arrive before embarking on another adventure. Unless of course you like the punishment of an unforgiving no-mans land mid-day burn-athon. It depends on my attitude as to whether or not I approach something like that!<br /></div><br /><div>The birds were a little slow, most of the migrants have pushed through the area and now the locals are paired up and nesting. The Selman Ranch is home to numerous species that show up on the <a href="http://web1.audubon.org/science/species/watchlist/">National Audubon Society's Watch List</a>, which is exactly why it is considered an <a href="http://www.audubon.org/bird/iba/index.html">Important Bird Area</a>. It was designated as such on the state level, and being nominated on the international level because of the presence of the Lesser Prairie Chicken (of course, and shame on you if you haven't kept up enough to know that fact!), but what people may not know is that 14,000 acres ranch boasts a fairly large population of the Northern Bobwhite. The quail were out in full force, just about every stop you made in the ranch you could hear three to four in the local area calling back and forth. Red-headed Woodpeckers and Painted Buntings, both global species of conservation concern, are also present though not in great numbers; but, common enough that you're sure to find at least one or two a day. I didn't spend much time on the Buffalo Creek Salt Flat, but if you need another example of how significant this ranch is you can spend the morning or evening looking at the local breeding populations of Least Tern and Snowy Plover (former being federally endangered, the latter a state listed threatened species). If you want to know more about visiting the Selman Ranch just visit the website by following this <a href="http://www.selmanguestranch.com/">link</a>.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As I ramble around on the ranch while looking for birds I tend to gather fence marking data and also manage to get distracted now and then on the occasional dragon or damselfly, okay more than just now and then admittedly. There is just so much beauty to behold while in the field I pretty much allow myself to be swallowed up whole by the experience, full immersion and really I wouldn't have it any other way. Just get blown away by it all, flowers, birds, bugs, reptiles; you name it and my curiosity gets the best of me</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Sue Selman (seen laying about in the photo below, okay she was actually getting some wonderful macro photos of a very photogenic Texas Horned Lizard) and I spent one particularly fine morning in the marshes of Sleeping Bear Creek, hopeful to find some kind, any kind of marshbird. However we were unsuccessful in our hunt, but I think the both of us made up for it with taking photos of common bird species, damsels and dragons and the numerous spiders which seemed to be everywhere. We moved on through the ranch stopping at different locations for the occasional bird, snake or whatever else needed some type of investigation. I managed to locate three Texas Horned Lizards much to my excitement, including one little fella no larger than my big thumb.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uaJKCAV6jX6ilie8ZtLtRcfda1M1YcC9cCMvUEc0xXEusmlnmOR-TK80cliTAHRPmTwi1Muz28DSbp5o6QaKKyRGXBI9mzyN1aiiqrpnqogFH4otrAQKtyg_Tk9QQOv-7RTnlQ7R_TA/s1600/P5280091.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477159492651766162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uaJKCAV6jX6ilie8ZtLtRcfda1M1YcC9cCMvUEc0xXEusmlnmOR-TK80cliTAHRPmTwi1Muz28DSbp5o6QaKKyRGXBI9mzyN1aiiqrpnqogFH4otrAQKtyg_Tk9QQOv-7RTnlQ7R_TA/s400/P5280091.JPG" border="0" /></a> A very tiny, and most likely unhappy Texas Horned Lizard; I was gentle with it though!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477155254984906018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNDrZhA28FD055yGeY8axzcoASIuFCXxuBoJ3277-D9zTeTsx0UIj5zCn1Pe6w5yUh2Clt34b4jKacy-Q5AgFNiargnA12ApczbVWqQL18jQoFDIRnFMTcsjKLJLuIVUfWguQjRkpVCc/s400/P5280109.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477155244890896594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyzyby3wjLwMjeT3mWY6GZP7kBq-wzCreNoZJzqTALucT4InJoIZyhAHEpq6ZvIngBweUSVIXwifI05dqmxbdzak1jpH_2DMSmlDx2W-4FgOfPZ0MoJxvz4y81Sp6IxzhOpwnR1oymcE/s400/P5280088.JPG" border="0" />A particularly photogenic individual, i think I was about three inches from it at this point.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Faa-JLdOp0_hyL3ERoca22gqxYRRwqEPoftU2CYIk9O8Kbn39CkUmxZ_cEaRqIYeuP_65rqFXJIyryLaQgfEDeNqtWodLDbz1S2XiwMOID3vBM96oQYbnILSgQN5CIvL7mJ4Z8PL8zk/s1600/P5270111.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477159482705216274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Faa-JLdOp0_hyL3ERoca22gqxYRRwqEPoftU2CYIk9O8Kbn39CkUmxZ_cEaRqIYeuP_65rqFXJIyryLaQgfEDeNqtWodLDbz1S2XiwMOID3vBM96oQYbnILSgQN5CIvL7mJ4Z8PL8zk/s400/P5270111.JPG" border="0" /></a> Dung Beetle....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHFDjJFq4sxU60nJpqAakp4VtSUrrBmnOega4sK9Ir5CG23m9e80Ur0uBfIMa7Aa8RJ3DhyphenhyphenkkKNsE3TXhnTnTVrFiLuYj-86AGAvFVwdoD3FAWFFQ5nQn7sPbsKLJi8K9MKkxyvMuDuc/s1600/P5270044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477159471910700738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHFDjJFq4sxU60nJpqAakp4VtSUrrBmnOega4sK9Ir5CG23m9e80Ur0uBfIMa7Aa8RJ3DhyphenhyphenkkKNsE3TXhnTnTVrFiLuYj-86AGAvFVwdoD3FAWFFQ5nQn7sPbsKLJi8K9MKkxyvMuDuc/s400/P5270044.JPG" border="0" /></a> Mites on the abdomen of a Blue-ringed Dancer<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18w67XreORQIY3TB5goki62tCctvrCQPfJdG36Ku4ribmsixoRGe6THzOAaBdHAPEBjn08NAW18oFb-o4cVrTGZjhKYO2i1M6TZp4ozusP_PLBfX7hiPG1HO6_od8pIssLDUR8KQXa7k/s1600/P5270026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477155230350713074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18w67XreORQIY3TB5goki62tCctvrCQPfJdG36Ku4ribmsixoRGe6THzOAaBdHAPEBjn08NAW18oFb-o4cVrTGZjhKYO2i1M6TZp4ozusP_PLBfX7hiPG1HO6_od8pIssLDUR8KQXa7k/s400/P5270026.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKHnjwiUzK662Ztyaesu7jfwp96GdtatTv7dKWIuACBo6sza3oYeluQndPg6R2PuDqpJRfA-20NCNp3Hq64PsQnMVkd4bJR70tGp-xUHqPrOFLqqrf23SR8hm1W8iqAbvgq-MYcse5bE/s1600/P5270025.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477155220486762274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 385px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKHnjwiUzK662Ztyaesu7jfwp96GdtatTv7dKWIuACBo6sza3oYeluQndPg6R2PuDqpJRfA-20NCNp3Hq64PsQnMVkd4bJR70tGp-xUHqPrOFLqqrf23SR8hm1W8iqAbvgq-MYcse5bE/s400/P5270025.JPG" border="0" /></a><em> Cnemidophorus sexlineatus viridis-</em> Six-lined Racerunner<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8ru_Cv17URtLjg01eUuDXBMZqVer2iIJaFxd6bJtD0B-8-p9lU6YTmSfjOCA75svDZhIOv2vH98HPYvm4tox7SHGe6G11ZNnhIECmkfslR4rihyphenhyphenuo9YSDW-v-VNL9BM2UulvCIekNxo/s1600/P5270006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477155194025569666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 330px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8ru_Cv17URtLjg01eUuDXBMZqVer2iIJaFxd6bJtD0B-8-p9lU6YTmSfjOCA75svDZhIOv2vH98HPYvm4tox7SHGe6G11ZNnhIECmkfslR4rihyphenhyphenuo9YSDW-v-VNL9BM2UulvCIekNxo/s400/P5270006.JPG" border="0" /></a> One last short bit, the <em>Odonata </em>were a good deal of fun. I managed to add three new species to the Harper County list. The opening photo of the post was of a pair of Desert Forktails (<em>Ischnura barberi</em>), one of the only species I located along the Buffalo Creek Salt Flats, the others consisted primarily of Familiar Bluets (<em>Enallagma civile</em>). Above is the documentation photo for a Plains Clubtail (<em>Gomphus externus</em>), I found this female along Buffalo Creek as well, a little further west and not along the salt flat. The final addition to the county record list was a <a href="http://www.odonatacentral.org/index.php/GalleryAction.getTaxaImages/taxon_id/46159">Sulphur-tipped Clubtail</a>, I chose not to add the photo but it's a good looking bug! Well, onto the next adventure. Next time around, more stories from SE Oklahoma and the Bachman's Sparrow Overdrive show!Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-86455021335399435822010-05-24T08:59:00.008-05:002010-05-30T11:57:58.695-05:00A Dash of the East<div><br /><div>I stopped chasing rare birds almost two years ago. Unless the adventure involves "work" I don't take the time to go look or chase a species that I haven't seen, although that does not mean I have an issue with anyone else doing it. Time doesn't allow me that treat any longer and honestly I would feel too guilty about using the resources to do so, call me crazy! But I am okay with it, I have plenty of time ahead of me and the wonderful journeys that will come with it. The Bachman's Sparrow, named so by John James Audubon a grandfather of mine ( I can claim as many grandfathers as I like!), has been a bird that I have not had the fortunate opportunity to observe. Just like the Greater Prairie Grouse (I support the effort for changing the nomenclature for the Prairie Chicken species of the Great Plains), I knew at some point in my life it would come to me, time on my side sure enough the opportunity presented itself.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474869895700669346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kn6dkGfVcqlf5XoND6QvDZcRKhbj-w9ZT53-rFrPpIGYgs86aPzJLHi6-KqyMPR-I3eRmUnzmluYc_VMjtnaZ-1tUV-yK8YYwAelLB3udu9rxx8q_Rk0gjfvTrRQ9yFw9k0-tOLXBtI/s400/P5210017.JPG" />This weekend I found myself in SE Oklahoma, amongst the mountains of the <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/ouachita/">Ouachita National Forest</a> and hills of the <a href="http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/pushmataha.htm">Pushmataha Wildlife Management Area</a>. My first stop was Pushmataha WMA, this site is being nominated as a Globally Important Bird Area for the state of Oklahoma. Now that I have actually seen the place and taken a few photos, I finally feel like I can finish the packet for it! It is being nominated because of the <a href="http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/038/articles/introduction">Bachman's Sparrow </a>(below, a somewhat grainy photo from Friday) population that is present at the site; this is a species that sits on the <a href="http://web1.audubon.org/science/species/watchlist/browseWatchlist.php">National Audubon Society's Watch-list</a>.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 390px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474869861792122930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhL9WYW-UmXJUutROySq3zAk-CB21hbK_jT8s5KYOSfs3W2KCPSi67WQiIjYWUixuVycDdpB5xiJxv55rEGGzcJ8ofezZxWBW-Ub8McooA8iHvXQwVb933ztGfZkisC3y6qC-1V9LGqF0/s400/BASP.jpg" />The first thing I learned about Bachman's Sparrows...if you don't hear the first call note, which is a clear single extended whistle, the warbling or trilling notes that follows can be easily confused for a Pine Warbler maybe even a Chipping Sparrow if you're not careful. It took my ears a little longer than normal to get it straight, but soon enough I was tuned in and chasing birds through the fields hoping to get a look, which I did.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474869872633097650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM44GkqwaNl1UXvS-S516hwCi-I7qLNXjM_DwOGFW233s4STVZ78u-VEdmIh2HrkDpBNoEM9AL8Q0JNtYqPXQgxjS3WbY_7FMG3ggrZLZuvTy4bKR9vNH3Tsslo3Y-Vzfh4MxiMZToeeY/s400/P5200001.JPG" />A bird of open Pine/Oak Savannas, the species now relies on modern habitat management practices, which replace the practices of Native Americans as well as unchallenged fires started by lightning strikes; there is evidence of such practices, if you will take notice, in the above photo where the charred bark from a recent controlled burn can be seen. I was impressed with the WMA, with a total acreage of over 19,000 it's pretty significant. Not only that but it was pretty obvious that the manager took his job seriously and did a fantastic job of keeping the roads, campsites and in general the area free of litter; which is no easy task. Speaking of litter, Kevin whoever you are I found your Styrofoam cup and am not pleased at all, you can do better! I can't even imagine how much work they have to do in order to keep that understory from overgrowing every few years and suitable for the sparrows, good work guys!<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div>At least eleven Bachman's Sparrows and a few Brown-headed Nuthatches later, and feeling pretty comfortable with the call and the species I moved further east and into the Ouachita National Forest. By the time I got to McCurtain County it was getting pretty late in the afternoon so I called it a day. Having waken at 4:30, driven a few hundred miles, hit the field for numerous hot hours and then hitting the road again I was pretty much wore down. I bunked down, woke the next morning and hit an area south of the Broken Bow Reservoir dam. It was a nice cool morning, fisherman were out in full force taking advantage of the cool water and the trout that could be found in its pools and eddies. A few hours of hiking produced no Bachman's Sparrows, although I never did find what could be considered appropriate habitat. However there were plenty of Pine Warblers, Chipping Sparrows, a few Louisiana Waterthrushes and of course the numerous Carolina Chickadees, Wrens, Tufted-Titmice and Norther Parula. Moving on and further north I spent the rest of the day surveying the National Forest roads for appropriate habitat, which I found, and Bachman's Sparrows which I did not find. Needing to get back home, I rolled on back west and landed at home Sunday morning. That's about it for now, got things to do, reports to right and paperwork to finish. Till' next time and while you're waiting how about some more photos from the adventure!</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 366px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474869885236782674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSGXz1ANoFnSvYPZXRhUwktrwMhwloI4aA8OL7pTOGcNhUjbwkxBciVfQdcbe7qn5RqUuZ_pR7tZM0B8OYd6yx_lz1M30dfl3ieJQqAccgX6G_FSwjX7B9eNMNXNANsz6Sk7ZplJrsvQ/s400/P5200010.JPG" /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>(male Orchard Oriole, Pushmataha Wildlife Management Area)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474905062645664610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7plzfrX98ok92dDNxGVwx0QAxcEwXXJwjHTkYBPK56IYfALg5znvPg0OuvewzASrwUzj4GTkAW5I0M6Kc9spKRo3HwZ0tjBXQbbVwfurcnCO5bl9Es4zh2crRC2RoiR-UEPLU7IFgj-0/s400/P5210026.JPG" /><br />(the Mountain Fork of the Little River, mist rising in the morning)<br /></div></div></div></div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPT68JNc4n8sMwCSy61CbAHhmChriW3iBSPPY8LsH1Dp71TVcyOluZD1BR2uAuL6hwnpNRc-r-93iKoROzgQ-MNsk8JVds5nc8Pi6Ia4iPJS187aXuHAUYdJ0illqLbhVU19FM0S-YBrY/s1600/P5210024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 184px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474905053154411394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPT68JNc4n8sMwCSy61CbAHhmChriW3iBSPPY8LsH1Dp71TVcyOluZD1BR2uAuL6hwnpNRc-r-93iKoROzgQ-MNsk8JVds5nc8Pi6Ia4iPJS187aXuHAUYdJ0illqLbhVU19FM0S-YBrY/s400/P5210024.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQ6iW7igFQiXAGVunNZrZNQZfpZkANPTUJcZ9eU87adyBiE7aSg0n_zRKXDDu6uAuL-o_ZKIKqFCgU47NxJq4vabDq8sks_565UbXhoIqtLQ7Dj2ezBPLSK8ZSxKNuGE-XiTvyNKwcKk/s1600/P5210021.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474905043647318690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQ6iW7igFQiXAGVunNZrZNQZfpZkANPTUJcZ9eU87adyBiE7aSg0n_zRKXDDu6uAuL-o_ZKIKqFCgU47NxJq4vabDq8sks_565UbXhoIqtLQ7Dj2ezBPLSK8ZSxKNuGE-XiTvyNKwcKk/s400/P5210021.JPG" /></a></div></div></div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-2877754993431986872010-05-16T13:08:00.011-05:002010-05-16T15:45:01.449-05:00Just Captions<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471947631521321618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxrAx970k_taidLLYNkoBDF1wl1Q94T0RD96253dupn9GWrDqifcWfj7ftirmRFiZ6xdYXyCCf4AlNhsVRJhE5oUwlctUcuoc-_c1Ho7oJMm4MG4JlNxMMHXydTklJjNpeviPd4l3MEk/s320/STFL1.JPG" border="0" /><em>Tyrannus forficatus, </em>Scissor-tailed Flycatcher <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471946720865210434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDqwFT_zCARseeh-s0H_QPkuGBhiB4LZCd3nA5lbGVcJsr1ei2c9G3-7R1scHvBADjPejM1He-ius4mXrylY9UFGNANjyph8-UcQ8v5pK6WXkWrJQTEA1Z1WkGGiIlUIFNXiYJTpGW4o/s320/nest.JPG" border="0" /><em>Tyrannus forficatus</em>, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher nest<br /><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471947625224716898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 277px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNV22cHFz08DYdTs2UiRRB4Mdo4bYvZ5CHEFjway4cJ3BkaRGz3sROMC0qIy1J6QRHobuoHmtuuPvglm4ro46Xhu9h-SSjlR0fYMVk16GYZY1JXoVP0JLUCIMN-tPhrGNXJQSMAKKnv1k/s320/Sleepy+Orange.JPG" border="0" /><em>Abaeis nicippe</em>, Sleepy Orange<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471947619709342898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 148px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YdY68za8TDiN6U4q4tNvin7UTynloPevr7M_RpD7gtSrwa3BHaoKW63WL_7uM3g_A2A4-e_-_YnFWtz9EWXxeLs5k-ykbCXq3odGInelxgjc3stH_h_S9YxPcIRgk348leukh1iARxk/s320/purple.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471946731229954962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibH706HPB4hcg85911nKlKVdVDpVh1d__Zs-IBkZ47Tpy80l6_smtzb4pZN3vWGCH60h5cC2hMNIKJCtaxnf81hx0Yt0RSxjE0Eh9YkQUDJRA9130cMo_fgWrIbO-4EUmdbW8xZnBRXJA/s320/paintbrush.JPG" border="0" /><em>Castilleja sp., </em>Indian Paintbrush<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471946727279296338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 118px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotpQqLdc8yvHM8_PtVURXAtINwzTt6NvOp2NweGyy-AZ3oVQhyphenhyphenPx_FxdaEv4DY3_9LtZ23k_Kp3ZO8LDGfTNwCeJ7oKihmtl4Rg8Vj6leqJi3TNRUYFF6gpgmPTD1Q8b0p0TorX4tABE/s320/OROR-+1.JPG" border="0" /><em>Icterus spurius, </em>Orchard Oriole (female)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471946709592944242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ihiQ2ai5lkFVgwnVRxzXIIVcVJ2SDY1ta78QjOd0j00jRFQiNgBkeb6gmpfUR-3GOTWiodKi8KTGiWpxrglu8GpM3w1Kt4ParXc-gBodVut8ndVoDH7jg_HP0DVvFTiJoIfKnDa3qEs/s320/Hairstreak.JPG" border="0" /> <em>Cupido comyntas</em>, Eastern Tailed Blue <div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471944027610722866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 314px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0j8M6_730eEQTOGgPPAYRT2LrsixRhh_HyX6C-ToXoUZFhU8ahRkkvVEXuBVAdbcmDZ3mfez73I_grsAcxdZoE-Bx4Ol6xhW1CIi6M7IWVjwXNUZiP871TcoRX4ELcm6A46dnTYlk1-8/s320/f2.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471944020957476786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 282px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hK2GY-Rs4MiyE6lU-rAlKGg2W74e07KJbRjp9airb5Ovz87pIj_JFLzxAytKu_lHkQkG8yFnE-wgeh6H66Np8D25yU7MHts9-d-__EyOvsKdGMq3cT8IJq03U2Gub4QlKoNPTjw5ht8/s320/F1.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471943995851853778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIifNIvO6jZ3yFP9DkNc_q2LLcPhWWdD356TGnQ87CbAA24Oxj3fueDZe3Wc3CzXEoR-0TbvqK5v6fitUYpTPhgfuGesu9-hJBYV8Qq85O6irihuo0aabvAWOeCRWaIyTUrJhZo4wcsE/s320/12-spotted+Skimmer.JPG" border="0" /> <div><em>Libellula pulchella</em>, Twelve-spotted Skimmer<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471960876572797874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkj3NEJ3uzTbPLO0-TYawVxtwakxOyv8G16rIOcbLeYftbKPypCIg8oocThdTMk9StkLgMOIVbnPXas1jXT9Phh-RykXLq5zJ06xMFtao2bUhHaUBUoQ5LUOQGUtie4AapsDs7m9aGK9U/s320/citrine.JPG" border="0" /></div><div></div><em>Ischnura hastata, </em>Citrine Forktail<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471969527730013250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSoyt8Box0G7GvvalTV0f86XU22hyJGj3nQrEUh-iOxODLP2EndtURrZVOWW4MSLWdWrrqbY8b6og0M65dkHmAeIIAAilIppcIPpH-y45XXRgwZ3j8VGZe74JfHZFXXoUPwnWsM3jHek/s320/Common+Spreadwing.JPG" border="0" /><em>Lestes disjunctus</em>, Common Spreadwing<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471969519238181186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 272px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqe-HdhPMMyHDyuTas-5UPzGSQqbUEvt6l4IaVAl6B75DmiOpSJJDmHEVgqIgbg3h-FRa4FiiMXUntnVt2vob5Nf-72WZNAmKusbMVhsVM18iSijvVq8cqWX0SHQ19aOosX2m7psqsiEg/s320/Grey+Hairstreak.JPG" border="0" /><em>Stryman melinus</em>, Gray Hairstreak</div></div></div></div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-82378223473210000502010-05-01T10:53:00.025-05:002010-05-02T09:13:33.483-05:00Texas County Highlights<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466343443691436050" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 281px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSJJYE0w276oM1_T_B3E5oUMeAakQXHfAZ_ceKYiY5eskVqa08ZixQVHRbpXgEZ1czkwpRxaSHZEAORsULU1rZDkX76EmyuF-8IqY4fLKeDPHJOsrkNhWaq8WsLG6fXb594e0tdUFTyE/s400/BOGU.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Back in the field and will be for the next three months. Currently I'm in Texas County, I've <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIor2g7Zdp-umm-sMC_s02IEKMpYNV8nxHMsoSxfK8lJ7oDlh3FNNDA1QOHCFOmJOIM1WfdGHvNDS6UeC-ysCm0Hv3hPoGf54oK_zwX1L4j1iBFd5PO1YW_w6MnUOhg_ezkrkKhaMUNaU/s1600/Variegated+Meadowhawk.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466377628007195746" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 146px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIor2g7Zdp-umm-sMC_s02IEKMpYNV8nxHMsoSxfK8lJ7oDlh3FNNDA1QOHCFOmJOIM1WfdGHvNDS6UeC-ysCm0Hv3hPoGf54oK_zwX1L4j1iBFd5PO1YW_w6MnUOhg_ezkrkKhaMUNaU/s200/Variegated+Meadowhawk.JPG" border="0" /></a>spent the last few days participating in prairie chicken surveys in the morning and then poking about taking a look at different sites and soaking up the western species and the lone migrant here and there. The high-plains provide a nice place to gather ones energy, rejuvenate and heal; so, I've been taking some time for that as well.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsno50KXol_GVnUGdxkom797vrWH_oBkiGcBpCLAkg1s9f1uAEsQzbOGhaTUVIBdfuqs6Q6NQ00POfgb05KjnXu1QDP669zdjDd-ttfVLE801v6zfahWaz9maoTrQby4CKY-bPDhxbXY/s1600/Magpie.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466438457490272930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsno50KXol_GVnUGdxkom797vrWH_oBkiGcBpCLAkg1s9f1uAEsQzbOGhaTUVIBdfuqs6Q6NQ00POfgb05KjnXu1QDP669zdjDd-ttfVLE801v6zfahWaz9maoTrQby4CKY-bPDhxbXY/s320/Magpie.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nHMZRS03YGVOCFNu1MFeDhMCbQo3BPa661FydXTYBk18qex1ZP7qE_UP2N1_tSlpV1BcTOFKc578AE2iAP5vznN64gZYDVG-uZ3KnBnJRyDdj5z_rf0_JrfFSL69c7e9FKVE9I6-gRs/s1600/P4280155.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466348357042839314" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nHMZRS03YGVOCFNu1MFeDhMCbQo3BPa661FydXTYBk18qex1ZP7qE_UP2N1_tSlpV1BcTOFKc578AE2iAP5vznN64gZYDVG-uZ3KnBnJRyDdj5z_rf0_JrfFSL69c7e9FKVE9I6-gRs/s400/P4280155.JPG" border="0" /></a>Maybe there should be a black and white theme to this post. Between the Black-billed Magpie (above) and the Lark Buntings(below left) flitting about it, it would seem appropriate. The Magpie would be my first in Oklahoma, and the nest (right) it was using would also be a first. I climbed well into the tree, but couldn't find footing to get close enough to tell whether or not there were any young or eggs.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uGKI8ZdcY6rpSRK5we0t__ggjBA7LE4rBqJpSPvvDqveNZ-bRbVY4-P61VXLjy2jf11U_Z_FAsSMD-lK2SduoTcppQM2x2P3ekQdW8WGpCQe-8qnoNk2TWKBODcMjN69dAaWAdW5Iec/s1600/LABU.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466520580884045266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uGKI8ZdcY6rpSRK5we0t__ggjBA7LE4rBqJpSPvvDqveNZ-bRbVY4-P61VXLjy2jf11U_Z_FAsSMD-lK2SduoTcppQM2x2P3ekQdW8WGpCQe-8qnoNk2TWKBODcMjN69dAaWAdW5Iec/s320/LABU.JPG" border="0" /></a>When things with birds are slow I tend to turn towards smaller objects of fascination. It is still a little cool so the pickings are slim, but I did find a few little beauties here and there. There were two species of dragonfly about, Variegated Meadowhawks (below and to the right of the breeding plumage Bonaparte's Gull) and Common Green Darners. Damselflies were also slim pickings but I did manage to find three species, after much digging about. Below are two examples of the first Texas County record of Eastern Forktail, adult male (below) and an immature female (below the adult male).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTr_DmMzVqMmVKg8bYNd9mUsPOOwtnpRf0lprmvrLVZ-fJYQFdddN3YfAQ_l0dxcH-Di9dQgluqF1qHBmATOcfaq8bZ6YB2xUtPkIkwxyaFaq1VKn6VJMfofaki5xOa0F6SobbcBtthLc/s1600/Eastern+Forktail-adult+male.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466345249304738914" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 280px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTr_DmMzVqMmVKg8bYNd9mUsPOOwtnpRf0lprmvrLVZ-fJYQFdddN3YfAQ_l0dxcH-Di9dQgluqF1qHBmATOcfaq8bZ6YB2xUtPkIkwxyaFaq1VKn6VJMfofaki5xOa0F6SobbcBtthLc/s400/Eastern+Forktail-adult+male.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgLiwE2_z-tl1JYroofWcZYKlB48gVwd9q_JLbQyOPfqSxRWdlDTj1P3w4HtYs_YGrwA3kR5uEyaiBmqHPWqUEQickohFV-mB4h_xNWgFMJXG7Uo_Wz9jwHAj-ko24iJ1SDZP0IXOrVM/s1600/Eastern+Forktail-+Immature+Female.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466426196432983346" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgLiwE2_z-tl1JYroofWcZYKlB48gVwd9q_JLbQyOPfqSxRWdlDTj1P3w4HtYs_YGrwA3kR5uEyaiBmqHPWqUEQickohFV-mB4h_xNWgFMJXG7Uo_Wz9jwHAj-ko24iJ1SDZP0IXOrVM/s320/Eastern+Forktail-+Immature+Female.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The multiple Eastern Forktails were located at the spillway of Optima "lake". The second Texas county record would come from Schultz Wildlife Management Area. There were plenty of Familiar Bluets and Eastern Forktails around, but the Fragile Forktail (adult male below) was by far my favorite catch (bugs that is) for the past few days. My first visit to the Schultz WMA was a lot of fun. There is a spring fed stream which provides plenty of cover for dragon/damsel flies, the passerines liked it too.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMp4bQmwiCMVUJR9B4Ytgxungg9hpzoJdb9ze8qxoJyoBHjVAXQyXmyMn95Dl00po_IFHUrLJL7JJzoaZf2yC3OUBl1Dq5U9cIY3dLkl3NhwNAlmiqxHLjJzTVDGIimYZdL7PBXEKuUIE/s1600/Fragile+Forktail-adult+male.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466345233961401666" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 206px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMp4bQmwiCMVUJR9B4Ytgxungg9hpzoJdb9ze8qxoJyoBHjVAXQyXmyMn95Dl00po_IFHUrLJL7JJzoaZf2yC3OUBl1Dq5U9cIY3dLkl3NhwNAlmiqxHLjJzTVDGIimYZdL7PBXEKuUIE/s400/Fragile+Forktail-adult+male.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Yellow-rumped Warblers were out in full force with the Audubon's race outnumbering the Myrtle's and intergrades by about 2:1. Ladder-backed Woodpeckers were pretty numerous, as well as Ash-throated Flycatchers, Wilson's Warblers and Lincoln's Sparrow. The best bird of the trip, well they are all good if you ask me, would definitely be an Olive-sided Flycatcher (last three photos).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJ7YUDCoxb9fKtQoYNqYNXL2XZogiAVXySblPA3admstvZR_Qg2g2od92JS-T7_o7FU9DfENJCdBPWUxocBf2MA1Czo8N8hD_vTrJrFHxPCSPRRQRQb258rR2D6YeCZSMikFJwisAdmU/s1600/Eastern+Forktail-+Immature+Female.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcaj_93nxkcASNgwv4wqcQqRJLjlRFFBy-JRN-bc9ZrZ3snSjulwhkAkp22sojCpS-o3PxWiZ6j2yZaBuXYpAExbWPmbiFwIgJCX8kxtVIB3lD-0av5vVn0d-PksRrGiZg8sIPkwjkkQ/s1600/WWWP3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466437869694773858" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 190px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcaj_93nxkcASNgwv4wqcQqRJLjlRFFBy-JRN-bc9ZrZ3snSjulwhkAkp22sojCpS-o3PxWiZ6j2yZaBuXYpAExbWPmbiFwIgJCX8kxtVIB3lD-0av5vVn0d-PksRrGiZg8sIPkwjkkQ/s200/WWWP3.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466437552147049666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 192px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPouvt-WMN5d9suqxZAWIKXrl8iUuUNN3URC73soqzjw7qBUkzslIaFnYEd30D_Oh84mEfillN77BgMSfhlZLK7NmH7vHbF163s75JKpCYvbJbHDSm_gQ7Sfg7bsjBXnSDwR5eOVxcJk/s200/WWWP2.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgO9qx1tdNTsItBqHYYP2mDwPm8dflTDTLZr8O4csMuxiFGP4h1AYFJTdygZOipxx5VQ37wxKuypyRFwpc_u8m1WT0IEh0b9xlOHYPuCBJN7UwQCMAAl5HO-qGZjHOjX15-P43rmcDhw/s1600/WWWP1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466437399989369938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 196px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgO9qx1tdNTsItBqHYYP2mDwPm8dflTDTLZr8O4csMuxiFGP4h1AYFJTdygZOipxx5VQ37wxKuypyRFwpc_u8m1WT0IEh0b9xlOHYPuCBJN7UwQCMAAl5HO-qGZjHOjX15-P43rmcDhw/s200/WWWP1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Have a look at the photos and feel free to leave a comment...don't forget you can click on them to enlarge the view.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxIz6t1NiOkbmgOTmm8-14GFw4rCsjdN_fOOt58uCj7KMwX3x22jTwcNG613GJDw6N5GhJbQ1T-Sp7LBcB-FA1mxrRM55V3ALkfD69IlhqEbq9ZpE88vd_5ALSzwu6LP1eEqFVQG5Pfo/s1600/LASP+nest.JPG"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-81967700382272169192010-04-24T11:37:00.021-05:002010-05-14T17:33:17.781-05:00Afield in Puerto Rico!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463745759140900002" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOZslZXhwzcQ4Nw9vYwHxaJME-FKKCbBTic2QAyEF_7Zl2gRmMl3R8cpKuZpi3Pygc7z3t4MhT0qegY9Qr1QXhmKS_b8sTPbEGVn95Fs-APDsX7R78UXMm78PWA0F46_cxgB1lKBrOQI/s320/snale,flora.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div>Puerto Rico, oh yes it was fun, too short, but fun! My darling and beautiful sister got married, and I got to see the family for the first time in a couple of years. Without going into much detail about the more personal, family side of the trip, why not catch up on a story that has been sitting for too long. (One side note, Juan we never got a chance to get together, which only means that there needs to be a next time that lasts a lot longer than 3.5 days...ouch!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWk0_LH0xzi5rdrjpP_JPkxKkM9WTzzTZn6bzsAXHE_Xq4ABXMGkBHcn3-RFeGDquJq2kE-QMHvvyInFJLthlIiAGPJZEFu4FWiuGc3WuujQtaB1YSXujnZI_NpHD7QJLyt8Ju8CNbmI/s1600/BAQT-nset.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463745781300040434" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWk0_LH0xzi5rdrjpP_JPkxKkM9WTzzTZn6bzsAXHE_Xq4ABXMGkBHcn3-RFeGDquJq2kE-QMHvvyInFJLthlIiAGPJZEFu4FWiuGc3WuujQtaB1YSXujnZI_NpHD7QJLyt8Ju8CNbmI/s320/BAQT-nset.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, I was the guy walking around at 3am looking for frogs amongst the motel's neatly kept gardens. Yes, I was the fella back out in the morning with binos and camera in hand taking pictures of Banaquit and nests (above), Red-legged Thrushes, and the seemingly very common Zenaida Dove with the floater White-winged Doves coming in here and there. I was also the guy on the Bacardi tour getting excited about my life Magnificent Frigatebird, the tour not so much, but the time with my mom and her husband was nice and so were the tiny little mojitos served at the end of the trip as I picked up a lifer grackle!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463745793894804562" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi6mUeZiOv-9SjiclIEyT_osnqAB2FvQv-xE3onfxstAH06NzIVRpDxMq_LR9Yne9mS9s8hH1w9Ly3kXHqhAYRcpR1R5WjRUVGEpfLzV-U_3lkEuKbaC7xnI-2n6xmgqeclEofhiAGuE/s320/femalefrigate.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Later while visiting the San Cristobal Fort, another female flew about 15 feet overhead; had I not been trained by professionals, I might have mistaken it for a Pterodactyl. Great fun! In any case, the Brown Boobies, also viewed from the Fort, I did not get to see as closely; nonetheless my 10x45 Nikon Monarchs got me close enough to distinguish exactly what they were. A few of them were hanging about on a small buoy about 200 meters out, and that would be the closest I would get to them.<br /></div><div>The truly wonderful adventure did not start until Friday morning, when with Aunt and Uncle, we toured the El Yunque National Forest. I will have to admit I wished we had rented a car, which would have allowed us the time to really get some hiking done. But that said our tour guide, Tony, was pretty knowledgeable about the local flora, particularly medicinal plants of the rainforest which appealed to a much older ethno-botanical side of my curiosity. Maybe next visit. It appears that there are some very interesting tour leaders in Puerto Rico who will show what you can eat, what you may not want to eat, and well, let's just say the place was popular back in the late 60's with the hippies! I did manage to break from the tour just once and when I did, that is when I found the most endemic species, actually the only endemic species of the trip.</div><div></div><br /><div>Now is the appropriate time to make some excuses, my camera was not gathering enough light under the canopy which made for an awful time of getting pictures of little birdies. But I am going to share them anyway, or at least the best of the bunch!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi359Z2TU7NMWN1T6WeOVzDj0excrnYyP3PzxU8WndqTuNeQwLMM9WSNTU-Xqph329AwXXPlVUQNBuoDRxcQZjIrMbRf_VBhZCb-oa_kE5q_zBaGgWqGod21eKmeY6Z1987dFVLHKJqwgA/s1600/GAOR.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463750525527153570" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi359Z2TU7NMWN1T6WeOVzDj0excrnYyP3PzxU8WndqTuNeQwLMM9WSNTU-Xqph329AwXXPlVUQNBuoDRxcQZjIrMbRf_VBhZCb-oa_kE5q_zBaGgWqGod21eKmeY6Z1987dFVLHKJqwgA/s320/GAOR.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>This Greater Antillean Oriole, Puerto Rican race, was my first exciting moment in the forest. It perched about 25 feet in front of me and stayed there for about five minutes eating a fruit of an unknown identity. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCK7YDdQm2aGae8fEe916ch7J-HjAiKn2os28Kn-mg1hkf0cklMxLLOwM3U_c1I7oI8Xg07dJS9oDe-FtGXvOrm43WPyL-JbJowG-VdwTuDLq_Sub1oV_XMdL2zFvHdEaRzNQ5Ju4jbM/s1600/PRWO.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463750534501488114" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCK7YDdQm2aGae8fEe916ch7J-HjAiKn2os28Kn-mg1hkf0cklMxLLOwM3U_c1I7oI8Xg07dJS9oDe-FtGXvOrm43WPyL-JbJowG-VdwTuDLq_Sub1oV_XMdL2zFvHdEaRzNQ5Ju4jbM/s320/PRWO.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Just a few minutes later I heard a woodpecker-type call; I had no clue as to what it was at first but finally found it near the top of the canopy. A Peurto-Rican Woodpecker (above), was my first endemic species of the trip. Just shortly after that and a little more difficult to find but equally as exciting, another endemic species, the Puert Rican Tanager (below).</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxgiXs7y3i75ieGTe8-eb8w4m7m8iMAUa4u2FDhUHdYH6WtRupo4ckq2MWhoOSosbWrORNli2f8C0GdYJYxYaQwazUWk7-rORAQWGZTrl0RFkuiWEQK8G62maJHaTuDRd_E1TWuumIz4/s1600/PRTA.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463750518044041314" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxgiXs7y3i75ieGTe8-eb8w4m7m8iMAUa4u2FDhUHdYH6WtRupo4ckq2MWhoOSosbWrORNli2f8C0GdYJYxYaQwazUWk7-rORAQWGZTrl0RFkuiWEQK8G62maJHaTuDRd_E1TWuumIz4/s320/PRTA.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>There were a number of other birds for the trip including the Puerto Rican Bullfinch, Western Spindalis (below), Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, Plain Pigeon, Greater Antillean Grackle and a few others. My family was top priority so the rest will have to wait until the next visit, hear me Juan? </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9ZCHeyIm6_hacxO4aP4tvcvbew8zjHfSRJnTzHHg1zPo83XFY-XcwPz-Odd6MhWiaN00Sp5CFd2ODQG-ICtKFjkU5Qnw-68GgXWTA3kAKw9OcvcdG4R7_vEn7UJDcS2Mq3o9U07h33E/s1600/PSTA.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463750540404612402" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9ZCHeyIm6_hacxO4aP4tvcvbew8zjHfSRJnTzHHg1zPo83XFY-XcwPz-Odd6MhWiaN00Sp5CFd2ODQG-ICtKFjkU5Qnw-68GgXWTA3kAKw9OcvcdG4R7_vEn7UJDcS2Mq3o9U07h33E/s320/PSTA.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Before I sign off one last little bit. No, I did not see the Puerto-Rican Parrot but I think someone needs to do a little more work down there with them, and it should definitely be me! Seriously though as our tour guide walked us through a portion of the forest he brought us to one of the man-made enclosures, parrot box(below) if you will, designed specifically for the parrots and specifically to keep the Pearly-eyed Thrasher from entering the cavity. I think the box was actually set-up so travelers could see it, but I got the point. Anyway, as he stood there telling us how they were designed to keep the Thrashers out and from predating the nest, I watched in silent laughter as a Pearly-eyed Thrasher flew over his head, rested in the entrance and proceeded to drop down into the cavity as if it had done that a thousand times, which I'm sure it had. The tour guide never caught on, but Aunt, Unlce and I got a good laugh about the whole ordeal.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiow4G2RwLWjSNdyW38weuxXoS7yeXaZ7LuDFgZkeYiof25xa2vBi_60IQcYlAgOHHsEeRcFcD7xQCdhN5prAqbeu4jUXQ9S1jw78-X3WHXbfsXmvWIBWrVctxatA6rwTzDwvH5TNvmc/s1600/PETH1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463750507930525298" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiow4G2RwLWjSNdyW38weuxXoS7yeXaZ7LuDFgZkeYiof25xa2vBi_60IQcYlAgOHHsEeRcFcD7xQCdhN5prAqbeu4jUXQ9S1jw78-X3WHXbfsXmvWIBWrVctxatA6rwTzDwvH5TNvmc/s320/PETH1.JPG" border="0" /></a> The "culprit"<br /></div><br />The plundered cavity (hmmm, no comments please)!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471173034790813874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wR7Kg12hnxPCTgYqqOu_ArLz3JJEGvOj5IZI8IY2CFwxsLF0A_LVor_woh7ItQ4KlK4PKTTok3AoIMEHhdktRiSOsYc3a7RMGkmAm-CD4OcsmgZyl1z3QfSXj7ZN9y0ER2H3n7pRsQU/s320/Parrot+Box.JPG" border="0" /> Well, enjoy the remaining photos I will let them speak for themselves. I now have a new love in my life, Puerto Rico, I just hope I get the opportunity to visit her again and next time with my wife and kids!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471176079122210706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFH_VbjJfX90LrnK_JHjkM4fJ8wB6vWATGL1W-OZtkE3hC1EyaQk562y5gMsgpKh7L5qJUqghXcq7y0OjOC7AupUV8P4OlB5XfNLaB2PpCHEK5-b_MIF4SWY8Kd_0rOixdC5TgH9u9jo/s320/Fort+photo.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471176091312704978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 245px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibUUDxyKc0aXPoDM6-5tS_gBrRbytSThlIkPCChGOijN-e72JZAprppq3ujsai2l6vGdxxHGZNvExjxwWXWBCqcRPHFsSYHAFxbdTWuYLj-NqZlPxpivBWzpwUwWAxvkFRR2V6KKWAnM/s320/flora2.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471176092806150002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlIFJjf_y5D_mTHYZCBiAwVbaVOixtojfjN37D74Y4tx9fAsJ6WJk4XHvh66_jvj7gFmSEBSA0JQHBG1KRy3TMJlSctpxsjSFXnlR0ZQvSJVo9hYipdEcrtfmUCtBJKOXJgJh71-WYLg/s320/flora4.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471176102634978658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 188px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBLcfbMoMxPG16sE6cKyvvQY2xzmtxHBvF-BXPGEPP9AEMnnqcnWIiWH6Yne4ljIs_2NNo-fykkzs3N2r6cTMoGuHtWuKWZSAzJYpui6CnWud9gPrqZhgNHO5E7DRkIMdXyulkgiW-h0/s320/tower.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEWrh-9u6ImywWhoMShAIkl1dAE877_HKeU7giY18pNulbjZjy_KsGmuA4k7QZA1IMhvbQWMpA8Xkdbmc0gurAKMIdUZPGoKIcIbQmdRPB7Pudw7jc_9V57KS4BPLE8WDHtPFVkcJ6Nw/s1600/anole+sp..JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463745769030203538" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 298px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEWrh-9u6ImywWhoMShAIkl1dAE877_HKeU7giY18pNulbjZjy_KsGmuA4k7QZA1IMhvbQWMpA8Xkdbmc0gurAKMIdUZPGoKIcIbQmdRPB7Pudw7jc_9V57KS4BPLE8WDHtPFVkcJ6Nw/s320/anole+sp..JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTlZilM82w1A0Cbjr-KJkhrem5QUw3EuwKvb9tGDkocXhUjAjwwXpGQyEUaUV89TdVrsWiQyi7ItEq1VkuEPsoOQyjDVUjy5LeAgo41Gl216wt2h8OdtAZyZGti81hGOzDNIEzPUAwmo/s1600/anole+sp2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463745773685952914" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 244px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTlZilM82w1A0Cbjr-KJkhrem5QUw3EuwKvb9tGDkocXhUjAjwwXpGQyEUaUV89TdVrsWiQyi7ItEq1VkuEPsoOQyjDVUjy5LeAgo41Gl216wt2h8OdtAZyZGti81hGOzDNIEzPUAwmo/s320/anole+sp2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471178687902276546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXQuz_NnhjhaADEJj7mbTs2WF6O3LR8cIL7NzNQT-J-V4Be5qsOuWlzf3xb8q9Ut7VZ0bx4KkPAhLEv-q8DXNlRsZEU2d6NOOegp5xKBLM6XVBYsM5CVDhhTz-18NOWUWM-FU78sAOmE/s320/zenaida+dove.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471178674684977138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 222px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoZcwFStqTIHUx0KmFoGWFpiwWEa3DOt4WEuMC74jrwaVv44DxXvx9tMOvc3-0XibSpvFipIfvU-Be0IerkUJf9XbxE9M-ov-gIZxcqU5cFJ1SCKnkb-8YfJv9ONTA9ncfz43URYiJ48/s320/tower2.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471180971767345106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4osTkWTErhtJoJuBOijc9Ooj3aIDXQ7kC9bBMogOGB4yorCJKh6lF7zlaTrS9obLPYlCPgLNZMUMW3oma1S1K8FgxDJ5WmpHnCjagyZ1_OwRLRKqVYKEzilS8az6Dk4DCXauw-Fokg0/s320/rainforest.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-80564650491644569952010-03-08T13:36:00.013-06:002010-03-11T11:51:01.337-06:00Wild and Wonderful WeekendThe weekend started Friday evening with many of the volunteers getting to the Selman Ranch after dark. Some of those who arrived a little earlier were fortunate to get a chance to eat dinner at Stables which is next to Alabaster Caverns. After a good dinner and nice conversation, we headed back to the ranch and bunked down, thanks to Sue Selman's gracious hospitality!<br /><br /><br />Saturday morning arrived early. In Larry Hancock's case, he spent the dark hours of the morning taking stupendous photos of the moon (below). Due to the lack of manmade light in the area, the clear skies and darkness provided some great views of the stars as well. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446353729080275186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 336px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNLtcKrA3NfFiLoMYrzNENcE1C3eAHWsX_VejhKmqeNrZXprTbiQ9n79a9b9csutT7vnu7g7iJFM4pqMACWc05353rfSz7gySukJWQLyXSLGYpKPzJYL_lz_uhXQI6Z82NulZKLhse9Q/s400/Selman+Moon-Larry+Hancock.jpg" border="0" />A few of us took a trip before breakfast to look for some Lesser Prairie Chickens. We were not disappointed. At one point we watched, a little stunned, as a Ring-necked Pheasant seemingly chased a Lesser Prairie Chicken across the lek about 20 yards or more. The sounds of the prairie chickens in the morning with all their activity combined with the dense fog that was hanging in the bottoms made for a surreal morning. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446364692455735138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_TRG8BtN2ApgYp7BhEsujkMup9lF6oRpbkwiRVZBqfOlJ2jjr3_o5hPZm-iw6d-tKLf-Gr8N9nkyqIGQvabvHisQMWccM0x9MHJ7jdxFrgVtUyZs2SVXS8JqteCAzGXdrj1WdHOSBhM/s400/P3050052.JPG" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NzxlVcgncLV6ajdifeBlsd-PMtF4mN8SvyQUZ89a7cBTOMC0RobdQamhCsOkWVgQ_U1T4Te0I0gvtysGCm3ccJt49WoMChPRgCWXAwBKnUtBEVIE2eHHBIz2bOuQ90kYEY4mVvwwK94/s1600-h/P3050052.JPG"></a>After heading back and stuffing ourselves with a great breakfast provided by Sue, we got organized and headed a few miles north to ODWC's Cimarron Bluff WMA. After gathering for a nice little photo, we broke into three teams and went about getting down to business. Over the entire weekend.... all day Saturday and a few hours Sunday morning.... we were able to mark 7.6 miles of fence and remove about 1.5 miles of fence. We positively impacted about 2000 acres of prime Lesser Prairie Chicken habitat. Equally important, we provided hard evidence that the birding/conservation community is willing to put their backs into it for a good cause proving that we can pull the weight just like the other outdoor enthusiasts, hunters and fishers. Don't tell me we don't contribute. I assure you there was plenty of money involved in the effort as well!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1VLpEyYKMFo201yMo-jabXp-KYW1dBt3D0B_sQJio6gKGYpYWfhf6HLC52-OL510A9NaPniwjuVtnXuZcJfSIVKv8ERX6iqohWz7fTd4tctDks-p-09YdmD3HWu-TQ_ZyDuPQFIkFyo/s1600-h/P3050055.JPG"></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446368156368556850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKdKKIRuClQH5PT9lcxwXzzdZt6ryxLumZWmHPVRQKt_5ovFfJmvpUU8sUT6kWC9s9H6irtFUvgST-5JWiiAe-rECW2nRTGY5YaVstvNrV9qUbCNwHa2sVy9-1l__Xgm3YxNQIKKixFc/s400/P3050055.JPG" border="0" /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><strong>Participants Left to Right:</strong> Berlin Heck, Denise Rose, John and Candyce Kline, Brandy , Jay Pruett, Michael Harvey, Jimmy Woodard, Ethan Miller, Larry Weimer, Jim Miller, Larry Hancock; <strong>Kneeling:</strong> John Polo, Eric Beck, Fumiko Sakoda; <strong>Shadow/Photographer:</strong> Tim Ryan; <strong>Not Pictured:</strong> Sue Selman, and Mark Sherman<br /></span><br />This whole weekend was a lot more than just a volunteer event. There was time for birding, sharing stories, banjo picking (Debby, I promise I won't hesitate on getting the guitar going next time!) and overall just good natured fun. People from all over the state, a grandfather and son team from Kansas, people of varying backgrounds all combined to make a truly wonderful event. The stories from Saturday evening over the dinner table with brownies and some red wine capped off a truly inspiring day. Admittedly, sometimes I become overwhelmed with the need to keep pushing forward on this issue, Lesser Prairie Chickens that is; but days like Saturday fill my spirit with strength and give me the power to forge on ahead. Thanks to everyone who attended and showed me that I'm not the only one out there who's willing to put it on the line.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div>The wildlife of the event provided everyone with loads of excitement. Mountain Bluebirds were out in full force....their electric blue with soft hues of the prairie combined for a memorable scene. I know there were a few who added this species to their life list this weekend. Congratulations! There were loads of Robins, Cedar Waxwings, Pine Siskens, Goldfinches, and numerous other species both on the Cimarron Bluff WMA and at Sue's ranch house. I think the Yellow-headed Blackbird thrilled all of us, and on Sunday I got some good views of a Ladder-backed Woodpecker. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446349383115539234" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dQOyyk5x4MlvPec29LhGRH0h8khHnccd-I5lAn7zmZHxCYIaLTYc_wy4XQEUKsPOkQD7AcIZ6pAu-XHmM1QuOdQPISsZjBYZSdM7q96Vhmr7Ib-4yeguGWxwXvjAj4t8D1P2Y3q0r0E/s400/Jay's+Coachwhip.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Birds were not the only wildlife for the weekend. Jay Pruett managed to get some wonderful photos of a Coachwhip (above, by Jay Pruett) on Saturday at lunch time. Apparently it was taking advantage of the sunny day, stretching out to soak in the full sun. Perhaps the single greatest highlight of the weekend was the Mountain Lion that four or five volunteers got to observe. Everyone came to the same consensus on the observation, but what helped to set it in stone for me came just a little bit later. The cat was observed bounding through the prairie about 150 yards out and along a fence line that we were getting ready to mark. When we reached the area, we were pleasantly suprised with numerous tracks and a pile of scat. I have since dug around for different pictures online to try and verify its identity and feel sure that is what it was. One of our volunteers got a few photos of the evidence, and I am still waiting to get a copies of it and will share if and when they come my way. Adding to the evidence, from a completely different group but around the same time, Tim Ryan walked upon a few tracks that he identified as Mountain Lion. These tracks were approximately 300 yards away along the same fence line, and he was part of a group that had no idea of the others' observations. He actually told me about it before I got a chance to tell him what the other group had seen. Coincidence, I think not!<br /><br />So with that, I'll close with some photos from the weekend provided through my lens and some of the volunteers' lenses that were present. Just in case you missed it, scroll to the top of this page and eat your heart out. Saturday afternoon was capped off with one of the most stunning sunsets (photo by Sue Selman) that I have ever witnessed. I think everyone in attendance agrees that Saturday night on the Buffalo Creek Salt Flats was an inspiring event!<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLikJRT45vkgUBB4Z_AHmDo5wpjUVES2By2Fybj5GcY8sdnSH8nwKyK5SlejNLiuOaGze2mLVu-hl0GQfwHRca9lfO9wxDSXexGmJ0lXRyvkC_8wBcVeA0Tqh-mtYYNYzbrkTnqnvWFE/s1600-h/GHOW-Larry+Hancock.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446350641516207266" style="WIDTH: 342px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLikJRT45vkgUBB4Z_AHmDo5wpjUVES2By2Fybj5GcY8sdnSH8nwKyK5SlejNLiuOaGze2mLVu-hl0GQfwHRca9lfO9wxDSXexGmJ0lXRyvkC_8wBcVeA0Tqh-mtYYNYzbrkTnqnvWFE/s400/GHOW-Larry+Hancock.jpg" border="0" /></a> Great Horned Owl, Larry Hancock<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoLW2jK3usQteL50hWg_fXWXAgqUhNVbNeGSwwMyYEBvgPpzJqqsrTC-JCjRUersguANVnSL_Xkgf0cTCqPikzkv8fBkzpIWJ_Fw0RP_5gfmTr4_LOSLrMnanpME_KG_oRznttka3lIY/s1600-h/LEPC-LarryHancock.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446350627385415362" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 328px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoLW2jK3usQteL50hWg_fXWXAgqUhNVbNeGSwwMyYEBvgPpzJqqsrTC-JCjRUersguANVnSL_Xkgf0cTCqPikzkv8fBkzpIWJ_Fw0RP_5gfmTr4_LOSLrMnanpME_KG_oRznttka3lIY/s400/LEPC-LarryHancock.jpg" border="0" /></a>Lesser Prairie Chickens, Larry Hancock<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkq3wRZTdUOMmFK8-nuWLuL-WRKsYi26-eeQJEKINqg1gunEXuNJWx-lRehb3PfZYtPLPckypg0tIiDHOopSogDPirBOuRgfXgUzlhRqIxgSXBFDaMZg7eyAg3wHr03zBtej1hcJfg9ck/s1600-h/YHBL-larry+Hancock.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446350635741638546" style="WIDTH: 349px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkq3wRZTdUOMmFK8-nuWLuL-WRKsYi26-eeQJEKINqg1gunEXuNJWx-lRehb3PfZYtPLPckypg0tIiDHOopSogDPirBOuRgfXgUzlhRqIxgSXBFDaMZg7eyAg3wHr03zBtej1hcJfg9ck/s400/YHBL-larry+Hancock.jpg" border="0" /></a> Yellow-headed Blackbird, Larry Hancock<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447433343023076194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAln3WPNTES06rQtwYwnAUFzUC7xI43pDmpqteEms5Ju6fmkmBmKWV0TvFyODAJQrkFUoC0T50RcpOgDkZD3x4j6ppHRwgmiWc8YJSdtI4VWZ2cqdjCS_RF703Wr-3mCvkkBDFLSAZ_Q/s400/DSC02252.JPG" border="0" />A fence line stretching for miles, what do you notice first....the fence or the the fence posts? Photo by Jay Pruett<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447433336296744802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMreD6XmS5UgH-LAYQv1Vh3J4qB0rFCzMi7FJzW5Q_kEZ5T6lPigGsUHAVR9lOjuRqDrODcHkj8Z4bFKJCrN5Kk6itXRe_QhsTpb8ADPAbPN6Ub6Cgr19Aer3hAUdDf4GoVW6KDiXqEE/s400/DSC02291.JPG" border="0" />Another shot of the stunningly beautiful sunset, taken by Jay Pruett.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraiXvJusWvoT_SsMcnAIb9YxU9J7nE1yyhF4yXN4I1xr07mmgBQ6MIcB5ISbreUnK6MP7hiIiUNifWLhnhpy0L207eI7cLEZ8ya8heQBsmM-garo34gyPE6mSwoUCcm3aX1CTKvbg_jE/s1600-h/Fence+Weekend.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446350991532780466" style="WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraiXvJusWvoT_SsMcnAIb9YxU9J7nE1yyhF4yXN4I1xr07mmgBQ6MIcB5ISbreUnK6MP7hiIiUNifWLhnhpy0L207eI7cLEZ8ya8heQBsmM-garo34gyPE6mSwoUCcm3aX1CTKvbg_jE/s400/Fence+Weekend.jpg" border="0" /></a> Making sure those buckets stayed full!<br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-88608819167087034292010-03-02T22:11:00.001-06:002010-03-02T22:21:22.374-06:00Event Details for this Weekends Fence Marking ActivitiesHello Fence Marking/Removal Participants, Thank you for expressing interest in this weekends events that will be taking place at the Cimarron Bluffs Wildlife Management Area in eastern Harper County, Oklahoma. The events will begin with a gathering at the Selman Ranch Important Bird Area Saturday morning at 9am, at that point we will depart for the WMA. Attendees can show up as early as Friday evening, there is a bunk house at the ranch that Sue is allowing us to use. We have also received permission to use UCO's Selman Living Lab trailer, 5 miles away, for overflow if we need to. Both bunkhouses are heated, have warm water and generally comfortable living conditions. Please let me know if you will be arriving Friday evening so that I can start filling out the space in an organized fashion.<br /><br />Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner will be provided Saturday. Breakfast will be at the Selman Ranch at 7:30 am sharp Saturday and Sunday, however only breakfast will be provided on Sunday. Saturday morning we will break up into a number of teams depending on how many attendees show up. Hopefully we will have two teams each for fence removal and marking. I would recommend those who are not afraid of getting dirty and breaking a good sweat to leave the fence marking for others that may not be as comfortable with that kind of work. For fence marking you will need to bring a reusable cloth bag or light bucket that can be filled and re-filled with sharp edged vinyl fence marking tabs. You shouldn't need gloves for the fence marking, however if you want bring along a light pair of gardening gloves to avoid any scratches from the vinyl material please do so. For those of you who are more daring and will be helping with fence removal bring along some heavy work gloves, I will supply safety goggles. I would recommend work/hiking boots and nice comfortable socks for everyone.<br /><br />The weather seems to be going our way and it appears that we may see 60 degrees this weekend, however the mornings will still be chilly. I plan to dress in layers. Walking through the prairie warms you pretty quickly, but you can also start to sweat which isn't necessarily a good thing. So being able to take a layer or two off will help to make sure you don't sweat too much and then proceed to cool off too quickly when you stop. A good warm hat might also be appropriate for the mornings.<br /><br />Attached (contact me if you did not recieve my email) you will find the Volunteer Waiver form required for anyone doing volunteer work on ODWC property. If you don't feel comfortable giving your whole SSN I would recommend only providing the last four, <strong>please brind a signed copy with you!</strong> This is what ODWC uses for their filing system.<br /><br />The Selman Ranch is located about 22 miles north of Woodward in NW, Oklahoma. Follow highway 34 north out of Woodward when approaching from the south. If you plan to come across highway 64 from the east or west turn south when you reach highway 34 and travel about five miles. The ranch is located on the west side of the road and is marked with a short white/faded sign that also has an IBA sign attached to it. Please let me know if you need more directions, which I can supply as needed. It is actually not too difficult to find.<br /><br />I look forward to seeing all of you at the event. We have received a lot of attention from many organizations about this event, and we are sure to impress. I look forward to seeing all of you either Friday evening or Saturday morning. Don't worry there will be plenty of time to bird, and I suspect the prairie chickens will be out and getting ready for the spring season.....so maybe some of you can pick a lifer up on this trip as well! See you then!Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-57821007526457043182010-02-17T16:36:00.017-06:002010-02-21T14:55:10.254-06:00A Whole Prospective on Ornithology<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHKnuS76Ux9M9A8vYHY9FunmfmiAxDM-w51akvt-aOtDLr7SXm27s70WmYrq56GymADi0cga5uJC_eKLkwWxtBd-h7QFIHkVT501KTClQFBTdqCDtAObbotGuIiZ0uheq6JAHVNx4WB0/s1600-h/Eagle9686.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439359841213976690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHKnuS76Ux9M9A8vYHY9FunmfmiAxDM-w51akvt-aOtDLr7SXm27s70WmYrq56GymADi0cga5uJC_eKLkwWxtBd-h7QFIHkVT501KTClQFBTdqCDtAObbotGuIiZ0uheq6JAHVNx4WB0/s400/Eagle9686.jpg" border="0" /></a> Every now and then, you find yourself in a physical place where everything feels balanced and whole. Upon entering the doors of SIA, the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/comancheeagle.org">Comanche Nation Ethno-Ornithological Initiative</a>, I felt that balance right away. I had no idea what to expect, but felt certain I was going to be shown something inspiring and enriching. I was not disappointed. (Above, a male Adult Golden Eagle at the Wichita Mountains, one of SIA's many raptors)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1zkvCR5r1iGSJNWu0LjAASYQhYgxnf2Ib-O0E4rYIF3Yc17yaQNUCd_bndpv4qHTrZpLbeiwx78geQoxila5SfUHWBNadQuaEGcnARHfkuHr3V5o80jZXa4p_udPXuudL8Xfh8igMew/s1600-h/IMG_1680.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439613932948211586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1zkvCR5r1iGSJNWu0LjAASYQhYgxnf2Ib-O0E4rYIF3Yc17yaQNUCd_bndpv4qHTrZpLbeiwx78geQoxila5SfUHWBNadQuaEGcnARHfkuHr3V5o80jZXa4p_udPXuudL8Xfh8igMew/s400/IMG_1680.jpg" border="0" /></a>The director, Bill Voelker (left with Temma, the <strong>Augur Buzzard, <em>Buteo rufofuscus augur</em></strong>), and I had been trying to make a personal introduction with one another for a little over two years. Apparently we just had to wait for the right time, allowing the world to decided to bring us together, and let me tell you it was quite the meeting!<br /><br /><div><div><div>I spent a great deal of time telling Troy and Bill, co-founders of SIA, just exactly what the Oklahoma Important Bird Areas Program was up to in the state. Of particular importance was my work with the Lesser Prairie Chicken in the Northwestern portions of Oklahoma. I was aware of the prairie chickens importance to the Native American communities in the region, however I wanted to know more, which they obliged. But that is a discussion for another time. After talking, they showed me around the place. I feel my visit will be best represented through my photos, and photos that they have provided for this post.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAql4hA5vhjZh2lNavA92uHNR_aE1vdE1zqwp1LlzGkG3rx9IGr5Um7hhr-2mBhW0jT3q9sRAMVhyphenhyphen-ZYQg_P_XRHIB0ahiUqZDptKHCtyiQt3rrLXa1bmSU6yvsFezqEnOy8gAXNxnsU/s1600-h/Blue-necked+Tanager.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439350776443139714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 348px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAql4hA5vhjZh2lNavA92uHNR_aE1vdE1zqwp1LlzGkG3rx9IGr5Um7hhr-2mBhW0jT3q9sRAMVhyphenhyphen-ZYQg_P_XRHIB0ahiUqZDptKHCtyiQt3rrLXa1bmSU6yvsFezqEnOy8gAXNxnsU/s400/Blue-necked+Tanager.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VXHsNf7Ysyn_tQTPAK9ahMHkThqQ39HK3ZDML-2kSuSKmo6nZn4nrq8_QbQLP_8laB1HN7qMqj5JJUjQRlMxwqnDRWWLESwBPb5c0FyJrp1n0SsN8dIWuNPbeo6jXScdHPygWXyzp6Q/s1600-h/Luzon+Bleeding+Heart+Dove.JPG"></a></div><div>Enjoying a lunch inside their aviary that I could not refuse, Salmon and salad, I had a great opportunity to view a couple of species of birds that I've never had the pleasure of seeing.<br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><strong>Blue-necked Tanagers, <em>Tangara cyanicollis<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNrFxTJ7gZwLot1ooWc7sNdEFXK25kunHDvnSBJRXyzobvjI1adw19PvrAbSl94ia_vzkDm8IulzYohlzbdDJLk7L5hgCW2-wrPsepRmQcym8HaNzOq0Dp0_b9LYWFjiqKBtM5hv8qoQ/s1600-h/Luzon+Bleeding+Heart+Dove.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439353775193044242" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 374px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNrFxTJ7gZwLot1ooWc7sNdEFXK25kunHDvnSBJRXyzobvjI1adw19PvrAbSl94ia_vzkDm8IulzYohlzbdDJLk7L5hgCW2-wrPsepRmQcym8HaNzOq0Dp0_b9LYWFjiqKBtM5hv8qoQ/s400/Luzon+Bleeding+Heart+Dove.JPG" border="0" /></a></em></strong></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><strong>Luzon Bleeding Heart Dove, <em>Gallicolumba luzonica</em></strong></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div>It is hard to describe much of what I saw and felt on my first visit to SIA. Personally it was spiritually uplifting, professionally.....well it's all the same! The organization has spent the last thirty years developing an idea that many would be fearful of approaching, and apparently some were. They are working to re-invigorate the spiritual connection between birds, especially eagles, and the Native American community as well as other communities. This is something I have spent time thinking about and realised myself, particularly with the LEPC. If I am unable to make a connection between people and what the prairie chicken should represent to them, I might as well throw my hat in. Fortunately I believe the Oklahoma Audubon Council and the IBA program, with the help and new ideas from SIA and other partners, we are making those connections; and for that reason I am filled with optimism. So with that little notion I am going to leave you with a bunch more photos from my visit to SIA as well as a few that have been provided by the co-directors Bill and Troy. Don't forget to take a look at the youtube video to the side, a great visual and musical representation of SIA's work.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1xuk6hmI9jCgkpqpDOEblrFB82_wRnWNr31y1GkgwnQUBtcoZCPPuQpWlfL_e8kPn3snOzCYWx5CGBNIYJVhGjTeCmLfjIhDH2uiVSHu5_rOrLUF_klGoWG28yA3axdesoKvuf12hHo/s1600-h/IMG_1510.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440781603287958514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1xuk6hmI9jCgkpqpDOEblrFB82_wRnWNr31y1GkgwnQUBtcoZCPPuQpWlfL_e8kPn3snOzCYWx5CGBNIYJVhGjTeCmLfjIhDH2uiVSHu5_rOrLUF_klGoWG28yA3axdesoKvuf12hHo/s400/IMG_1510.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1xuk6hmI9jCgkpqpDOEblrFB82_wRnWNr31y1GkgwnQUBtcoZCPPuQpWlfL_e8kPn3snOzCYWx5CGBNIYJVhGjTeCmLfjIhDH2uiVSHu5_rOrLUF_klGoWG28yA3axdesoKvuf12hHo/s1600-h/IMG_1510.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1xuk6hmI9jCgkpqpDOEblrFB82_wRnWNr31y1GkgwnQUBtcoZCPPuQpWlfL_e8kPn3snOzCYWx5CGBNIYJVhGjTeCmLfjIhDH2uiVSHu5_rOrLUF_klGoWG28yA3axdesoKvuf12hHo/s1600-h/IMG_1510.JPG"></a></div><div><br /><strong>Martial Eagle, <em>Polemaetus bellicosus, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzUkcn3fJLGu5zS8_MNKeh3WLJcqYWZWC0ztw_N0Jv7Z6We-o3PV18XAVuhRlmCfACa0zOrnY2VKNHYH-j4WTR4hY2dEzwTwYMVSOTfqivdvUwgD4P7a4aBAYgybukzt0jyjVypeax8M/s1600-h/Bonelli's+Eagle2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440783268401787074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzUkcn3fJLGu5zS8_MNKeh3WLJcqYWZWC0ztw_N0Jv7Z6We-o3PV18XAVuhRlmCfACa0zOrnY2VKNHYH-j4WTR4hY2dEzwTwYMVSOTfqivdvUwgD4P7a4aBAYgybukzt0jyjVypeax8M/s400/Bonelli's+Eagle2.jpg" border="0" /></a></em></strong></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><p><strong>Bonelli's Eagle, <em>Aquila fasciata</em></strong></p><p><strong><em></em></strong></p><p><strong><em></em></strong></p><p></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440793132184783570" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILAp3a9nc6eZVabT0_3yZuQxEE04hCYFtd50GuBVneuzzpGS2gPfPINcjbCojsKTwMNq4jRi-_DUtBZCAZMZ_PSklmCSKUwo7ZpjgFlxm6q9Km4HQXXT45esM5m-qkmAz68LHmVidxXI/s400/P2130019.JPG" border="0" /></strong><br /><p><strong>Shiva the Ornate Hawk Eagle and Troy, co-founder of SIA</strong></p>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-10304474096267636152010-02-13T22:08:00.003-06:002010-02-13T23:05:39.833-06:00From My Heart the Prairie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iB4ctYThHoeSs4Lm9x5O-SOQd07-D01x8pYhuzkKYDVjsDwYZOz3x3T-XEJzyL-t3FeEoHNaHFjUCBQUHQUSXsVuvEEYz6efdRZ4bE3ZLfJBJk6gS9jrbnGESx1nzr84o-s_6Dqj1TA/s1600-h/LEPC3b_filtered%5B1%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437957697908349314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iB4ctYThHoeSs4Lm9x5O-SOQd07-D01x8pYhuzkKYDVjsDwYZOz3x3T-XEJzyL-t3FeEoHNaHFjUCBQUHQUSXsVuvEEYz6efdRZ4bE3ZLfJBJk6gS9jrbnGESx1nzr84o-s_6Dqj1TA/s400/LEPC3b_filtered%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse;font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:19;" ><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:19;"><span style="font-size:85%;">It is my pleasure to offer an opportunity to directly impact a local population of a Global Species of Conservation Concern. The Lesser Prairie Chicken (photo by Steve Metz) is an endemic species of North American grouse, and although the species is facing a number of issues, we can create a safer prairie for them to travel in. While we work in other arenas to address the larger issues of habitat loss due to the threat of unregulated energy development, we can positively impact this local population by marking and removing fences that cause such a high mortality rate in the species, particularly in Oklahoma. By impacting this local population through the formerly mentioned actions, we can help to increase overall yearly reproduction. I have mapped and identified 15 miles of fence along the southern portion of the Cimaron Bluffs Wildlife Management Area, a location that was purchased by the ODWC specifically for the Lesser Prairie Chicken. This conservation action, fence marking/removal, is expensive and time consuming. With the support of volunteers and our many partners, we can greatly impact a location in just a few hours; whereas it may take a team of two field technicians as many as 6-7 days to complete, along with thousands of man hour dollars. </span><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OmzGZ-2cqpmvBfPnml3qPLfRI9np5g8Z38XCnGsGh3bvEWlpmhddxYXOKgASC3h89L9etNG64xIAy6Vi4bUstxa7T95ByOiaeTzPt7t4wdReKJHgj-cX3KMXmtJ2qAWfe13qu3APNtQ/s1600-h/Selman+Ranch-scenery-2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437959529138671618" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OmzGZ-2cqpmvBfPnml3qPLfRI9np5g8Z38XCnGsGh3bvEWlpmhddxYXOKgASC3h89L9etNG64xIAy6Vi4bUstxa7T95ByOiaeTzPt7t4wdReKJHgj-cX3KMXmtJ2qAWfe13qu3APNtQ/s400/Selman+Ranch-scenery-2.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Not only is this a way for the birding community to impact this population of threatened birds, it can also stand to show the state legislatures and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation that we are willing to support the birds we all love so much and show we care about what is happening in the western portion of this great state. It is time to realise that this species needs our help; the scientists, Oklahoma Gas and Electric and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation have been doing thier jobs to the best of their ability. They are purchasing lands, they are developing maps and tools for developers and they are talking with landowners. This issue can not be solved by sitting back and hoping that their efforts will solve all of the Lesser Prairie Chickens' problems. We need to show them that we care, that we can help, that we can take the time out of our busy lives, drive east, west, north or south and spend a weekend devoting ourselves to this issue. It doesn't have to end with the fifteen miles; that is merely my meager goal for this event. If you show me that we can go further, I will provide the necessary materials to make it happen on those days.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437955140196159586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGuWQNxvPoTLVK28C2ZX7DM5-r75N5IMus2oc1S_bFASsTKG5-zuUTlD_YmJHNg0-kUfNtccfQstzkvoQlYfaPgHd2NGkC-af_YN46XAUrPYmRS71-fQpHE6navnGRt12fmRYrEufckU/s400/P1070014.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Please accept this invitation! I can promise you a few things if you join me the weekend of <strong>March 6th and 7th. </strong>I can promise you some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Oklahoma. I can promise you a time of shared goodwill; knowing that we are all there to give with our open hearts. I can promise you birds, not sure which ones but I can promise they will be there. We spend our time counting, listing and sharing with each other the beauty of these wondrous creatures that fill us with pride, joy, and over all well being; we willingly take from the birds in that way. It is now time to give . We cannot wait any longer, this bird represents an endangered ecos<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2NP9zggkqbTuxMwmOSKL8t06W2fTSGLc2oPt55YeV9v9A_KOtIQdlIb3dzh7MWvUqfQa6YPnFfM4JZb_V-u7YODO-eypBohM7X8RCTQaK7GDAgZDrYdnZ1auSBVH9bMqK_6dO9W-OM4/s1600-h/Vesper+Sparrow-Selman+Ranch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437960633205957298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 307px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2NP9zggkqbTuxMwmOSKL8t06W2fTSGLc2oPt55YeV9v9A_KOtIQdlIb3dzh7MWvUqfQa6YPnFfM4JZb_V-u7YODO-eypBohM7X8RCTQaK7GDAgZDrYdnZ1auSBVH9bMqK_6dO9W-OM4/s400/Vesper+Sparrow-Selman+Ranch.jpg" border="0" /></a>ystem and as we sit and watch the battles back and forth, we show that we are willing to say good bye. I am not willing, my heart burns with passion for this species. They represent a historical connection for this land's Native American roots, this species represents America in all of its individuality.The Lesser Prairie Chicken does not exist outside of the continental United States. It represents what is left of the great prairie ocean, and when standing on a hilltop in the early spring with the smell of sandsage in the air you can hear the echos of the past through these birds.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Not so many years ago, I was placed in the leadership role of Coordinator for the Oklahoma Important Bird Areas program. You have seen my passion, sometimes the bite that it carries, but I am here standing and I need you to stand beside me. This issue will not disappear, but we can stand together and make an impact. </span></div></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;">Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in details for this event. oklahomaIBA@gmail.com or ebeck@audubon.org<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;color:#888888;">Eric Beck<br />State Coordinator<br />Oklahoma Important Bird Areas Program</span></span></div></div></div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-19932829294692994042010-02-04T19:54:00.017-06:002010-02-09T10:56:39.211-06:00Coming Full Circle* This blog was first published without editing. My wife and editor wants everyone to know that the copious amount of grammatical errors were not her fault, and that she has since edited.<br /><br />We were without power for almost seven days. I haven't been out in the field in a couple of weeks, and I honestly haven't been doing very much birding lately; so this post is a smattering of a few things: a damage report, a little about some reading I've been doing, and finally something to think about that I noticed in Lawton, all nicely wrapped up right here!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435175396796396882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-jS4a0S6R7VXMWiaU63XnXcN7L4Bh-1uwStiGMdI5GZipC-gFmD616yKpTqus0q3itMZaLY8NMENz3yZ08mJlh0Axh9QZAaL1bfk75Pcx0DoxCP-MxuGpus0UGNKKLC47IR9H6hGxGs/s400/Front+Yard+Damage.JPG" border="0" />I've been spending my time cleaning up the front yards of both mine and my neighbors' houses, which are littered with, well tree litter. Just don't ask about the backyard; I'm trying to ignore it! As always I'm keeping things rolling with the Important Bird Areas program, and I should have an update finished for the project in the very near future. I will post a link here later so anyone who is interested can check it out. In between those times I've been keeping my nose buried in Wade Davis's "One River," just trying to keep the brain moving, but in a relaxing way. There's a great video on <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/wade_davis_on_endangered_cultures.html">"Ted Talks"</a> in which Dr. Davis discusses endangered cultures, if you want to get an idea of this brilliant man's efforts.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div>This is the second time I've picked up "One River;" it's been well over ten years since the last time so it's pretty much like reading it for the first time. To sumarize, he discusses the ethnobotanical adventures of Richard Schultes, his mentor, and then treads off on his own adventures through the depths of the Amazon. I highly recommend the book; it is truly fascinating. </div><div></div><div>There was a chapter early on that was especially interesting and got me thinking about something I saw in downtown Lawton. The chapter's title was called "Peyote Road," it was basically a story about Richard Schultes's first forray into ethnobotony and it took place right here in western Oklahoma. It obviously involved peyote and his experiences with some members of the Kiowa tribe back in the late 1920's. If you want to know more about it, read the book, because that's not where I'm going with this. </div><div></div><div>There was a short passage about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Sheridan">General Sheridan</a> and how he basically pushed for the genocide of the Native Americans. He is quoted as making statements like, "the only good Indians I ever saw were dead," and is known for pushing for the eradication of the Bison in order to hit the Native Americans where they could be impacted the greatest....their food and leather supplies. I immediately realised this must have been the man that the street in downtown Lawton was named for; I was later able to confirm this notion, much to my dissaproval. I mean, are you kidding? Disregarding his pre-Oklahoma Civil War affairs, naming a main street in our city after a man who actually carried these opinions about other human beings makes me a little uncomfortable; I have to remind myself that those were different times.</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObHMZoDkBp1eV_0pkxxt0pnWdNHm7Td6v-asdP3KyRYYZFMjD1LjdioILyX3rMYKyugWBJCGYa7OGgWR3UcvweYFQtjKjOQ3IC5UIvBAiP23kwtJ7X6is_7nsSLXjambkm3wRePN8mUg/s1600-h/Sheridan-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435215086303641122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObHMZoDkBp1eV_0pkxxt0pnWdNHm7Td6v-asdP3KyRYYZFMjD1LjdioILyX3rMYKyugWBJCGYa7OGgWR3UcvweYFQtjKjOQ3IC5UIvBAiP23kwtJ7X6is_7nsSLXjambkm3wRePN8mUg/s400/Sheridan-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> What's really fascinating to me, and also the reason I named this post "Coming Full Circle," is sitting at the corner of Cache and Sheridan. It is a statue of a Native American man! Talk about making Sheridan roll over in his grave! I don't know who the artist is, or who made the descision to put this in the corner of their parking lot, but horray for you! It looks as though there is still a little work to be done, judging by the straps that are stabililizing it, but that's not important.<br /><div></div><div>To me it's a symbol of change, hopefully for the city but also for me personally. To me it's about finally realising that we are all Native Americans in a way. No matter how little or how much native blood runs through your veins, most likely it's there nonetheless. It's about realising that I have blood of people from all the corners of the world coursing through my veins, some I know about, many I don't. It's about realising that through my everyday experiences, if I can remeber that one idea, then I see the world in a full circle; it's a complete and whole world. I'm not just a man of the US, I'm a man of the world, and everyday I should live to make this world better for everyone. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435217427130186290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsfmLANRR0Af93C9LluYOUBwgZJWxo4j-aV0MC3Qr7Ps_4GER5Jg1TFPhWP85Qv0a-OZDW1BCRCXqlxt91wkMGNr6L_ktl-Ao6TXrw-lwJMAzq7SUSdjbssH60anf_LGdL-Dy1aeEulI/s400/Sheridan-2.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>It's just something to think about. Stay tuned; I have a great new story to share about a new partner for the Oklahoma IBA program and a new chapter for me.</div></div></div></div></div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-35972723762227645962010-01-24T20:55:00.001-06:002010-01-25T16:47:23.142-06:00What They Didn't Show Us at the Oklahoma Wind Energy ConferenceKeeping to my statement that I had planned to continue working on topics concerning the Lesser Prairie Chicken, I decided to tackle something I have been thinking about since the Oklahoma Wind Energy Conference in December. During the conference there were a number of presenters, but the few that I am thinking about showed the crowd slides of a few different maps. We had an example of the <a href="http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/lepcdevelopmentplanning.htm">Oklahoma Lesser Prairie-Chicken Spatial Planning Tool </a>, which if you don't use the link I provided you can find buried deep in the vaults of <a href="http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/">ODWC's</a> web page. I've provided a little example of this tool that was developed through a pretty significant partnership between a number of NGO's and State and Federal level entities; it was developed so that planners/developers like Southwest Power Pool could use it to avoid the areas with the most significant habitat and accordingly significant local populations. Let me remind you though, unlike Wyoming, Oklahoma is relying on a volunteer-based approach to doing the right thing. The developers and planners can simply ignore this map if they like. No regulations here; just do whatever you please! Well........<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430762859038417330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QoU3QGO_DxFbaYTSR4w0AGar1rflNPlCGIn9msZ4TCep-xR-GcIU5Nxam6Omq8fK6_JwGXyS76d14wFsWJpyVpHtWKBzvqdxss_e-tlozjgbEHzRVn93NXcomiiYhOlWEpQZsSePbtc/s400/LEPC+Model-good.jpg" border="0" /> So what am I getting at? Well, we were also able to view a number of other maps. These were from Southwest Power Pool and a couple of other planning/developing agencies. What bothered me was the fact that I've seen these maps a number of times, but what I haven't seen is anyone actually combining them. You know, the spatial planning tool for LPCH's and the wind farm/transmission line maps all on one page together. I thought about it a bit, and you know, why would they? They don't want the 1,000 people sitting at the conference to see just how carved up this population was going to become. Well I've taken some time to use the google earth habitat tool from above and a slide from one of Southwest Power Pool's presentations, and I've done just that. <div><div> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430812440806786018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 244px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71oef0AAWVrBpLkMoodCPVuPpfMP-1SFOOvNcfFBfmcx4gxDq5RzQbk4LsXFRoghMJg8ZbIZIOfGbVyhI6jtbsZF8Jfm669TwnzGOU3kPKb3FlfobI5hGGTim3auqDeJtOKWbIyDmhpA/s400/LEPC+Model_Development.jpg2.jpg1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>So here it is for everyone to see. It is obvious what the little red boxes represent, wind farms (planned and constructed); the red and blue lines represent high voltage transmission lines (planned and constructed). Now, you tell me how a declining population of North American endemic grouse is going to survive the likes of this kind of development? Let's not forget the Lesser Prairie Chicken isn't far from the USFWS's threatened and endangered list. Sure it's only on the "warranted but precluded" list but let's think about what that means, because I don't think people really get it. To me it means yes, this species needs to be listed but there are a few other higher priority species at the moment and we just don't have enough money to spread around everywhere.....that is unless we elect another Teddy R. I think hell will freeze over before that happens, but oh wait, didn't the Saints just make it to the big dance? . . . maybe it could happen! </div><br /><div>I'll say it again and I'll keep saying it. Responsible planning, responsible development, responsible construction, responsible maintenance, over and over again until the people that are in control of this situation start making the right decisions........</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430772772789789282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfptZaxpZq4CWzipFH3rUuHhi-rHUWk22pgI9NUmoAZjwUBRCFBfPC6C02DAo3_ukzYsq-1nygc2AAadh7QdVw1oKpG66MLNZtFiKnVUdLCJhpwfxTlQUEJWWPgRw5gZYkJg270zRKQY/s400/Responsible.jpg2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Responsible planning, responsible development, responsible construction, responsible maintenance,responsible planning, responsible development, responsible construction, responsible maintenance, responsible planning, responsible development, responsible construction, responsible maintenance. You're going to be sick of me before this ends. I may be a yankee, but my home and heart are in Oklahoma and I expect you to do the right thing! Am I getting your attention yet?</div><br /><strong>Citations:<br /></strong><br /><br /><div>Horton, R., L.Bell, C.M. O'Meilia, M.McLachlan, C. Hise, D. Wolfe, D. Elmore and JD Strong. 2009. A Spatially-Based Planning Tool Designed to Reduce Negative Effects of Development on the Lesser Prairie Chicken (<em>Tympanuchus pallidicintus</em>) in Oklahoma: A Multi-Entity Collaboration to Promote Voluntary Habitat Conservation and Prioritized Management Actions. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 79pp. <a href="http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/lepcdevelomentplanning.htm">http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/lepcdevelomentplanning.htm</a> (accessed: 01/24-25/2009)</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> The second map was something I created using a power point presentation prepared by Southwest Power Pool. I did not steal this image, I simply created it using their slide for an example. There was an important disclaimer at the bottom of the slide which stated: "Please note in the legend (not included in my version) that some wind farms are under construction and have not been committed to yet". I think the same can be said for the transmission lines you also see, although I couldn't find that disclaimer on the slide. </div></div></div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-56816556525851196162010-01-17T11:35:00.000-06:002010-01-21T14:47:13.158-06:00Response to the OK Gazzette's Lesser Prairie Chicken StoryLast Wednesday, the Oklahoma Gazette ran a story by Carol Cole-Frowe on the <a href="http://www.okgazette.com/p/12776/a/5363/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=LwBEAGUAZgBhAHUAbAB0AC4AYQBzAHAAeAAslashAHAAPQAxADIANwAyADkA">Lesser Prairie Chicken </a>and the issues concerning the species in Oklahoma. There really wasn't anything wrong with the story, all accept for the "cash for clunkers" comment, it should have been "cash for <strong>cluckers</strong>", get it Cluckers...chickens? I thought I would make a few comments, as well as discuss some general thoughts on this particular issue. To Ms. Cole-Frowe's credit, this is a story that needs more press; the article provided just that. I came up with a few questions of my own.<br /><em></em><br /><br /><em>1) Why did it take so long to get this article published, considering the <a href="http://www.okwindrevolution.com/">Wind Energy Conference</a> took place during the first few days of December?</em><br /><br /><br />Wouldn't it be better to keep issues of particular importance and urgency flaming hot? I'm not pointing this out to berate author Carol Cole-Frowe; this is a general trend I see across the spectrum. The issue seems to be just dragging along. OG&E and ODWC, and a number of other agencies, are doing their best. But will it be enough? We need more public involvement; we need more people in the state that feel compassion for this species to send letters, talk to their representatives and in general create more turbulence. I can tell you that the powers that be do hear us when we express our interest. Look at the past actions of OG&E and how they have gone from making plans to buy public lands for wind development, to donating money for buying public lands for prairie chicken conservation. It works but we cannot expect these few agencies to carry all of the weight. I don't think the public is being loud enough on this topic.<br /><br /><br />2.) <em>Where are the other large wind developers/planners, why is it that OG&E seems to be the only company willing to do the right thing, taking extra steps to make the best decisions they can? </em><br /><br /><br />I hope someone comments on this question and lets me know that this is not the case. I hope I am wrong. I haven't seen any of the other large players who are using NW Oklahoma as their gold mine stepping forward....One example, where is Florida Power and Light? I was not impressed with <a href="http://togethergreen2009.blogspot.com/2009/12/some-thoughts-on-oklahomas-second.html">their presentation</a> during the wind conference and I have yet to hear of any grand steps from them toward the fight for preserving the native prairies in the NW. Please someone tell me I'm wrong about this! I want to be wrong!<br /><br /><br />3)<em> Will listing this species as threatened or endangered solve the problem? </em><br /><br /><br /><br />This is the big question. The last I checked the USFWS's success rate for endangered species was not all that great, something like a 90% failure rate.....I'll have to dig around for a good number and citation to go with it.... I can think of only a handful of bird species that have been delisted recently, to include the Bald Eagle and Brown Pelican. Is it likely that this species could benefit from a listing?<br /><br /><br />Actually it depends on who you are asking. I asked JD. Strong, our Secretary of the Environment, this exact question, if listing the species as threatened or endangered in Oklahoma could help the issue. His answer? No! The issue is touchy because if the bird is listed there could be a negative response from landowners that actually have the birds present on their land. There is an issue about the government stepping in and tyring to tell landowners how to operate; nobody wants that.<br /><br /><br />So if we can't address the issue by listing them, what are we to do? ODWC has been purchasing land in key LPCH habitat and that will certainly help. But what we need to consider is whether these lands will actually allow this species population to expand or whether we are just creating outpost for the species which will only turn into a genetic sink. The population is critically low, wind development stands to carve up the NW region like Billy Bob at an all you can eat steak restaurant. The answer is both in acquiring new public lands, and in developing strategies with landowners who are willing to work for the good of wildlife. We need landowner incentives, a pool of money that can be given to landowners who are willing to keep transmission lines and wind turbines off their property for the betterment of all wildlife, especially prairie chickens.<br /><br /><p></p><br /><p>I think I'll keep running with this topic for a few posts. There are many things that need to be said publicly that aren't. A lot of the conversations are happening at round table sessions, which is good, but the problem needs more public attention. I plan to do just that.<br /><br /><br /></p>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-61852202481408388762010-01-08T19:50:00.000-06:002010-01-09T12:37:28.147-06:00Great Gulls from the NorthWhat a day Wednesday turned out to be. Ignoring the north winds which brought the thermometer down to a cool...cold...bitter cold 18 degrees, not counting the windchill, I spent the afternoon scanning over a couple thousand gulls hopeful to find a few rare birds. Patience and tenacity paid off. Below you will find photos of a number of species of gull seen during the day, I have also included a shot or two of another gull from Canton taken yesterday. So, enjoy the photos and please feel free to make comments or as ask questions about the identification of them.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424769522104594898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 344px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKgj1gmfH74th3JKF1VsO8QaKFjwYn4bWvzN-RUE2H3xF_ZL_eZ-BmQiJBwVovexUV0nzqs0i7j1duQRC_-WzxjbOJAU9uO5lmtjvIgAjNszEVg2kLi5xfYNwAAANKzt3nHJpWzY6dLY/s400/ICGU-5.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424769530786820946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 352px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvD9mjQeNhNxRDXfCkAK1ooB4Zyxrlsae2cbanH6AdF0QrF5bSX46RrsA0X-1a9lVbCAGPhRW8jDi451jDiXzV33C6iEhHvztih4VpG4bIazHBbceVeZHOv_Gd3aEJcAVgeVUrhxkg3SE/s400/ICGU-4.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><p>Thayer's Gull (<em>Larus thayeri, </em>above photos are of the same individual) - This bird was located on the far eastern side of the dam on Canton Lake. I was able to view it from as close as 25 yards which provided me with pretty good photos for id confirmation. Seen on 6 January 2010, at around 2:30pm until 5:30 pm. I think the photos are just fine for id purposes so I won't go into any kind of lengthy description. </p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424773200938441826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 310px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQM6LPTrMdlaqqZdq0fkQJahU-9vhJCt0QPVm0dbkvdFQ13g_gjurLpOez9gnUBCbHTYss5l1rADyCu72FzAzNwgAOdbKZzJc-D5NgDj25kk_jnkPrg-M_8c-R-LQiKZ-OE2ntXtwWh0/s400/LBGU-1.JPG" border="0" />Lesser Black-backed Gull (<em>Larus fuscus</em>)- This was one of two individuals present on Wednesday, the second was a first year individual which I was unable to photograph. This adult or another exactly like it was also present yesterday (8-January-2010). </p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424775555300938514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 317px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2QPvj75tO6IwSaWPmDt6g3hc0_fZGvx_NdA8S-FnnwNaZq8Pnz7fOdyWzv79tX5UbCwxku2_RmHgI7tCtUoO03K1LDdUVBrMSFFl6-hPH2xbtoSP0e4hbWsYHJxlFr_pPuqVAILb4Ic/s400/GLGU-2.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p><br /></p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424775550581397394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 291px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LPGRWypo-sYASn6GavO2aviICba8HS4vPhX1_DVQFUWlZvJbnDdiTWy0WyZj7sYahE30Lc8Wi20zmOlCgUurIwQoygi2t8IMisHzd0Ht7-YUx17xe2XVZhhDN8fLIUNhhjReZMncDDM/s400/GLGU-1.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p> Well, there is still some discussion about these last two photographs. My original identification was that this was an adult Glaucous Gull (<em>Larus hyperboreus</em>). My experiences with them have amounted to a few observations over the past five winters here in Oklahoma. I have only just recently begun seriously digging into gulls, and each year I catch the fever it seems. Unfortunately I couldn't get close to this bird, he wasn't as tame as the Thayer's Gull was. But we can see a few important identification points from the meager photos I did manage to get. I was also able to view for approximately 25 minutes through my scope from only about 125 yards away. What initially drew me to this bird was the lack of streaking on the head and the yellow bill with red gonys spot. Because it was sitting in the water at first, and facing me directly I needed to be patient and waited for the bird to turn. It became instantly apparent that this was not a Herring Gull. There was a complete lack of grey or black tongues on the outer primaries, they were completely stark white. I am very sure of this fact and viewed the bird both at rest and on the wing and never wavered in my opinion on this point.</p><p>It was very close to the same size of the Herring Gulls that surrounded it, however my impression was that it was a little smaller in size, not by much though. Perhaps just a difference between sexes a colleague later discussed with me. Other important points which brought me to my Glaucous decision was the pale eyes the bird had, another of which I am completely sure of. Also the pink legs, which you can see if you click on the photo with bird seemingly hovering over the ice. </p><p>So in the spirit of discussion..hopefully please feel free to make a few comments if you like. There were some opinions that this may have in fact been an adult Iceland Gull (<em>L</em>. <em>glaucoides</em>), so that is something to consider. </p><p>I'm still working on yesterdays photos, but will add them later in the day.</p><p> </p>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143717553126279511.post-24386145103350805962010-01-07T18:22:00.000-06:002010-01-10T12:12:02.772-06:00Selman Ranch Northern Shrike<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWif9L4BVW6kU3l3SO3rHFO6QhfNXsSKXGbhuOs9FMMSXkk4qakwJJsy8ND8jG_A-MPQ-8zdEFE7wH7JylHvV6SkhDVlcHWo-HpmBh7JMhm8ZhFuwp0do1oDaNAKtcjpLkpckOXw75hkY/s1600-h/IMG_8274.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424161931246301314" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 322px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWif9L4BVW6kU3l3SO3rHFO6QhfNXsSKXGbhuOs9FMMSXkk4qakwJJsy8ND8jG_A-MPQ-8zdEFE7wH7JylHvV6SkhDVlcHWo-HpmBh7JMhm8ZhFuwp0do1oDaNAKtcjpLkpckOXw75hkY/s400/IMG_8274.JPG" border="0" /></a> I spent the early morning surveying fences on Cimarron Bluffs WMA. After exhausting myself and finally getting too chilled to continue I opted for a little "road" birding throughout the Selman Ranch. Birds were slim but I did locate a shrike. Unfortunately I couldn't get a great look at it before it flew off, but for what I did see of it I thought the chances of it being a Northern Shrike were pretty good.<br /><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KnzfzHjt6VQ3rCZSGjO_0FuFQrt1GE8-OrU80zxBGuic2lGEywC38_MmQUuu6r-rNJbvdM1rqKLNLahKvg793a8HBogiPs37Ehoxnr_mU4X54ev4lA-o99tCTRAg0PUuiJyLiYkL7zY/s1600-h/Northern+Shrike-4.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425175089209017666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 337px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KnzfzHjt6VQ3rCZSGjO_0FuFQrt1GE8-OrU80zxBGuic2lGEywC38_MmQUuu6r-rNJbvdM1rqKLNLahKvg793a8HBogiPs37Ehoxnr_mU4X54ev4lA-o99tCTRAg0PUuiJyLiYkL7zY/s400/Northern+Shrike-4.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I quickly made a dash for Sue's house to get a change of socks and shirt, and in the mean time Sue handed me her Canon with its 300mm lense, showed me how it worked and I hit the field for another hour late in the afternoon. I returned to the same general area I had seen the bird, spent about 20 minutes looking for it, and then wouldn't you know it posed for me! Enjoy! </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div> </div></div>Eric Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297843276296802649noreply@blogger.com0