Date: 7/23/26 9:42 pm From: <arbour...> <arbour...> Subject: Red Slough Bird Survey - July 23
It was mostly overcast, windy and warm on the bird survey today. 49 species were found. Best finds today were a Cave Swallow and a Least Tern. Here is my list for today:
Hopefully I’m not jumping the gun by sending this email, but I wanted to share this with people who care. My wife and I are in the process of buying a house on 160 acres south of Stillwater and plan to create a wildlife refuge there. We shouldZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart External Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEndHopefully I’m not jumping the gun by sending this email, but I wanted to share this with people who care.
My wife and I are in the process of buying a house on 160 acres south of Stillwater and plan to create a wildlife refuge there. We should close by the end of the month but are trying to get it done within the next week or two. The property is 1 mile long north to south and 1/4 mile wide east to west. It has a large permanent pond, a seasonal pond, and a wet-weather creek that runs the entire length of the western boundary. The land is heavily wooded with two large meadows in the center and some smaller meadows on the edges that are getting overrun with red cedars. It’s teeming with bird and wildlife activity. In fact, there’s a recently created eBird hotspot called "68th St. Ravine" that’s literally just the northern boundary road of the property. We had no idea the hotspot existed when we made an offer on the place, and only found out about it after I recognized the street names in a description on a rare-bird alert. During May and June, people logged 59 species. Last time we were there, we saw several Acadian Flycatchers and Kentucky Warblers. I think this land has potential to become something special.
Over the next couple of years, we plan to improve the habitat by removing invasive species, thinning out the red cedars, planting more native trees, grasses, and wildflowers, and restoring the ponds with aquatic vegetation. We also want to build insect hotels and bird nesting boxes as well as create walking trails throughout the property. We hope to attract as many species as possible and, once established, we’re thinking we might open it up at designated times for people to bird the trails.
At this point our plans include the following:
(1) Apply for grants through ODWC and Partners for Fish and Wildlife for help with removing invasives, planting natives, and improving the wetlands.
(2) Possibly apply for grants and/or seek help with removing some cedars and doing controlled burns.
(3) Get involved with Payne County Audubon Society for advice and/or to see if they want to possibly do occasional birding field trips or other activities on the property.
(4) Talk to OSU to see if students might be interested in using our land for conservation projects or studies.
Again, we haven’t even closed on the place yet, so it’s going to take a while to get this stuff going, but we’re excited about protecting the habitat. Because it’s just a private residence rather than a nonprofit or something along those lines, I’m not going to ask for donations or volunteers, but it’s possible that people may want to help with building nesting boxes, planting trees, etc. at some point in the future.
I’ve never undertaken anything like this before, so I will be learning as I go and am open to any advice anyone wants to offer. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I’ll do my best to actually see it through. I wanted to let the group know about our plans because we’re so excited about it but also because I’m all ears if anyone has suggestions for other resources or strategies.
Date: 7/13/26 4:29 pm From: Chad Brack <cebrack77...> Subject: Plans for Establishing a Bird and Wildlife Refuge
Hopefully I’m not jumping the gun by sending this email, but I wanted to share this with people who care. My wife and I are in the process of buying a house on 160 acres south of Stillwater and plan to create a wildlife refuge there. We shouldZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart External Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd
Hopefully I’m not jumping the gun by sending this email, but I wanted to share this with people who care.
My wife and I are in the process of buying a house on 160 acres south of Stillwater and plan to create a wildlife refuge there. We should close by the end of the month but are trying to get it done within the next week or two. The property is 1 mile long north to south and 1/4 mile wide east to west. It has a large permanent pond, a seasonal pond, and a wet-weather creek that runs the entire length of the western boundary. The land is heavily wooded with two large meadows in the center and some smaller meadows on the edges that are getting overrun with red cedars. It’s teeming with bird and wildlife activity. In fact, there’s a recently created eBird hotspot called "68th St. Ravine" that’s literally just the northern boundary road of the property. We had no idea the hotspot existed when we made an offer on the place, and only found out about it after I recognized the street names in a description on a rare-bird alert. During May and June, people logged 59 species. Last time we were there, we saw several Acadian Flycatchers and Kentucky Warblers. I think this land has potential to become something special.
Over the next couple of years, we plan to improve the habitat by removing invasive species, thinning out the red cedars, planting more native trees, grasses, and wildflowers, and restoring the ponds with aquatic vegetation. We also want to build insect hotels and bird nesting boxes as well as create walking trails throughout the property. We hope to attract as many species as possible and, once established, we’re thinking we might open it up at designated times for people to bird the trails. At this point our plans include the following:
(1) Apply for grants through ODWC and Partners for Fish and Wildlife for help with removing invasives, planting natives, and improving the wetlands.
(2) Possibly apply for grants and/or seek help with removing some cedars and doing controlled burns.
(3) Get involved with Payne County Audubon Society for advice and/or to see if they want to possibly do occasional birding field trips or other activities on the property.
(4) Talk to OSU to see if students might be interested in using our land for conservation projects or studies.
Again, we haven’t even closed on the place yet, so it’s going to take a while to get this stuff going, but we’re excited about protecting the habitat. Because it’s just a private residence rather than a nonprofit or something along those lines, I’m not going to ask for donations or volunteers, but it’s possible that people may want to help with building nesting boxes, planting trees, etc. at some point in the future.
I’ve never undertaken anything like this before, so I will be learning as I go and am open to any advice anyone wants to offer. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I’ll do my best to actually see it through. I wanted to let the group know about our plans because we’re so excited about it but also because I’m all ears if anyone has suggestions for other resources or strategies.
Date: 7/13/26 11:21 am From: Marta <harrismarta8...> Subject: Re: Recent central Oklahoma birds - 9-10 July
Loved the red-headed woodpeckers! Good job on all the photos!
Suzy Harris
Bartlesville
On Mon, Jul 13, 2026 at 9:36 AM Shirley Maas <
<000000b508ae481a-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> Great. Pictures Really enjoy your photos Don Maas Choctaw, OK Mesa, AZ “If
> you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government then you are
> doomed to live under the rules of fools. Plato “You can ignore reality, but
> you cannot ignore
> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart
> External Email
>
> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd
> Great. Pictures Really enjoy your photos Don Maas Choctaw, OK Mesa, AZ
>
>
> “If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government then you
> are doomed to live under the rules of fools.
> Plato
> “You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of
> reality.”
>
> Don & Shirley Maas
> The Maas’s have migrated to the Valley of the Sun in Mesa, AZ from
> Choctaw, Ok for the winter.
>
> On Sunday, July 12, 2026, 11:07 AM, Bryan Reynolds <
> <nature_photo_man...> wrote:
>
> All, I did a couple days of photography at the Purcell City Lake and came
> away with some nice images. Due to the heat, I didn't know what to expect,
> but there was plenty to photograph. Like usual, I got the obligatory Great
> Blue Heron photos
> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart
> External Email
>
> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd
> All,
>
> I did a couple days of photography at the Purcell City Lake and came away
> with some nice images. Due to the heat, I didn't know what to expect, but
> there was plenty to photograph. Like usual, I got the obligatory Great
> Blue Heron photos and like usual, I tried to get some behavior shots such
> as prey capture and feeding. Another great subject I worked was a couple
> Green Herons that included a lot of preening photos and one take off shot.
> Both days I got a Greater Roadrunner and I practiced some intentional
> motion blurs as it ran (let me know what you think). After that, I saw a
> juvenile Little Blue Heron in among a large group of Canada Geese and was
> able to get a few isolated photos of it. Then, a Western Kingbird was
> mobbing an American Crow and I got one shot of the kingbird as it whizzed
> over (motion blur). Then I got some of the crow panting in the heat. And
> finally, I was able to find a Red-headed Woodpecker nest hole and got both
> birds coming and going in and out of the hole. I also was happy to get
> them mating. I grouped all of the photos into one album, so there is a bit
> of redundancy, but hopefully, you'll enjoy them: Recent Central Oklahoma
> Birds - 9-10 July 2026 | Flickr
> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.flickr.com/photos/bryanereynolds/albums/72177720334636785/with/55388794306__;!!GNU8KkXDZlD12Q!9hXUoEXTiGUzdDxIT3ssEh5fTmK796kedLSoJwrWeyJB31yZJ6EpXw-mfNd8bhAqbSqQpUR8D6HVFY0FC9MZxxAPsi6h9ds$> >
> Feedback always welcome.
>
> Take care,
> Bryan
>
> Bryan E. Reynolds
> Photographer/Writer/Consultant/Speaker
> My nature and wildlife photography portfolio
> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.flickr.com/photos/bryanereynolds/albums/72157648698477036__;!!GNU8KkXDZlD12Q!9hXUoEXTiGUzdDxIT3ssEh5fTmK796kedLSoJwrWeyJB31yZJ6EpXw-mfNd8bhAqbSqQpUR8D6HVFY0FC9MZxxAPxU02QhM$> >
>
Date: 7/13/26 7:36 am From: Shirley Maas <000000b508ae481a-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Recent central Oklahoma birds - 9-10 July
Great. Pictures Really enjoy your photos Don MaasChoctaw, OKMesa, AZ
“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government then you are doomed to live under the rules of fools. Plato“You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of reality.”
Don & Shirley MaasThe Maas’s have migrated to the Valley of the Sun in Mesa, AZ from Choctaw, Ok for the winter.
On Sunday, July 12, 2026, 11:07 AM, Bryan Reynolds <nature_photo_man...> wrote:
All, I did a couple days of photography at the Purcell City Lake and came away with some nice images. Due to the heat, I didn't know what to expect, but there was plenty to photograph. Like usual, I got the obligatory Great Blue Heron photosZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart External Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd
#yiv9011370019 #yiv9011370019pfptBanner37apgc6 {display:block !important;visibility:visible !important;opacity:1 !important;background-color:#d04b4c !important;max-width:none !important;max-height:none !important;}#yiv9011370019 .yiv9011370019pfptPrimaryButton37apgc6:hover, #yiv9011370019 .yiv9011370019pfptPrimaryButton37apgc6:focus {background-color:#e9797a !important;}#yiv9011370019 .yiv9011370019pfptPrimaryButton37apgc6:active {background-color:#d89d9d !important;}#yiv9011370019 html:root, #yiv9011370019 html:root>body {display:block !important;visibility:visible !important;opacity:1 !important;}#yiv9011370019 P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}All,
I did a couple days of photography at the Purcell City Lake and came away with some nice images. Due to the heat, I didn't know what to expect, but there was plenty to photograph. Like usual, I got the obligatory Great Blue Heron photos and like usual, I tried to get some behavior shots such as prey capture and feeding. Another great subject I worked was a couple Green Herons that included a lot of preening photos and one take off shot. Both days I got a Greater Roadrunner and I practiced some intentional motion blurs as it ran (let me know what you think). After that, I saw a juvenile Little Blue Heron in among a large group of Canada Geese and was able to get a few isolated photos of it. Then, a Western Kingbird was mobbing an American Crow and I got one shot of the kingbird as it whizzed over (motion blur). Then I got some of the crow panting in the heat. And finally, I was able to find a Red-headed Woodpecker nest hole and got both birds coming and going in and out of the hole. I also was happy to get them mating. I grouped all of the photos into one album, so there is a bit of redundancy, but hopefully, you'll enjoy them: Recent Central Oklahoma Birds - 9-10 July 2026 | Flickr
Feedback always welcome.
Take care,Bryan
Bryan E. ReynoldsPhotographer/Writer/Consultant/Speaker
My nature and wildlife photography portfolio
Date: 7/12/26 11:07 am From: Bryan Reynolds <nature_photo_man...> Subject: Recent central Oklahoma birds - 9-10 July
All,
I did a couple days of photography at the Purcell City Lake and came away with some nice images. Due to the heat, I didn't know what to expect, but there was plenty to photograph. Like usual, I got the obligatory Great Blue Heron photos and like usual, I tried to get some behavior shots such as prey capture and feeding. Another great subject I worked was a couple Green Herons that included a lot of preening photos and one take off shot. Both days I got a Greater Roadrunner and I practiced some intentional motion blurs as it ran (let me know what you think). After that, I saw a juvenile Little Blue Heron in among a large group of Canada Geese and was able to get a few isolated photos of it. Then, a Western Kingbird was mobbing an American Crow and I got one shot of the kingbird as it whizzed over (motion blur). Then I got some of the crow panting in the heat. And finally, I was able to find a Red-headed Woodpecker nest hole and got both birds coming and going in and out of the hole. I also was happy to get them mating. I grouped all of the photos into one album, so there is a bit of redundancy, but hopefully, you'll enjoy them: Recent Central Oklahoma Birds - 9-10 July 2026 | Flickr<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.flickr.com/photos/bryanereynolds/albums/72177720334636785/with/55388794306__;!!GNU8KkXDZlD12Q!9hXUoEXTiGUzdDxIT3ssEh5fTmK796kedLSoJwrWeyJB31yZJ6EpXw-mfNd8bhAqbSqQpUR8D6HVFY0FC9MZxxAPsi6h9ds$ [flickr[.]com]>
Date: 7/9/26 5:04 pm From: <arbour...> <arbour...> Subject: Red Slough Bird Survey - July 9
It was clear and hot with a light wind on the bird survey today. 58 species were found. Not much out of the ordinary but I did find an early Fall migrant shorebird. Here is my list for today:
Black-bellied Whistling Duck - 4
Canada Goose - 4
Wood Duck - 14
Ring-necked Duck - 1 male
Pied-billed Grebe – 2 (one on a nest.)
Neotropic Cormorant - 8 (two sitting on nests.)
Anhinga - 31 (numerous nests with young.)
Great-blue Heron - 4
Great Egret - 40
Snowy Egret - 9
Little-blue Heron - 24
Cattle Egret - 360
Green Heron - 6
White Ibis - 9
Black Vulture - 5
Turkey Vulture – 50
Mississippi Kite - 4
Purple Gallinule - 74 (one sitting on floating nest.)
Common Gallinule - 78 (one sitting on floating nest.)
American Coot – 10
Greater Yellowlegs - 1
Mourning Dove - 6
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 6
Chimney Swift - 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1
Acadian Flycatcher - 2
Eastern Kingbird - 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - 4 (Pair with 2 fledglings.)
White-eyed Vireo- 13
Yellow-throated Vireo - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 2
American Crow - 5
Tree Swallow - 17
Cliff Swallow - 12
Barn Swallow - 2
Carolina Chickadee - 4
Tufted Titmouse - 3
Carolina Wren - 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 3
Eastern Bluebird - 1 (spotted juvenile)
Wood Thrush - 1 singing.
Northern Parula - 1
Yellow-throated Warbler - 1
Prothonotary Warbler - 7 (one with fledglings in tow.)
Date: 7/1/26 11:02 am From: Patricia Velte <pvelte...> Subject: July Migration Report
Dear OK Birders,
The lists for Arrivals and Departures are below.
Here are ARRIVALS
|
Rufous Hummingbird
|
July 22 - PAN, SW
|
|
American Avocet
|
July 14 - C, SC, NE, SE
|
|
Semipalmated Plover
|
July 12 - ALL
|
|
Piping Plover
|
July 19 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE
|
|
Snowy Plover
|
July 19 - C, SC, NE
|
|
Long-billed Curlew
|
July 4 - NW, SW, C, SC
|
|
Marbled Godwit
|
July 1 - PAN, NW, SW, C, SC, NE
|
|
Ruddy Turnstone
|
July 26 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE: West to Alfalfa, Major and Blaine cos. Only in NW; and west to Washita, Kiowa and Tillman cos. Only in SW
|
|
Red Knot
|
July 28 - NW, C, NE: Rare in Alfalfa Co. Only
|
|
Stilt Sandpiper
|
July 12 - ALL
|
|
Sanderling
|
July 28 - ALL
|
|
Baird's Sandpiper
|
July 7 - ALL
|
|
Least Sandpiper
|
July 1 - PAN
|
|
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
|
July 26 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE: West to Woods, Woodward, Dewey and Custer cos Only in NW; and west to Washita Kiowa and Tillman cos. Only in SW
|
|
Pectoral Sandpiper
|
July 9 - ALL
|
|
Semipalmated Sandpiper
|
July 6 - ALL
|
|
Western Sandpiper
|
July 6 - ALL
|
|
Short-billed Dowitcher
|
July 1 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
|
Long-billed Dowitcher
|
July 10 - ALL
|
|
Spotted Sandpiper
|
July 4 - NW, SW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
|
Solitary Sandpiper
|
July 1 - ALL
|
|
Willet
|
July 1 - ALL
|
|
Wilson's Phalarope
|
July 20 - SW, C, SC, NE, SE
|
|
Caspian Tern
|
July 11 - ALL
|
|
Forster's Tern
|
July 10 - PAN, NW, SW, NE
|
|
White-faced Ibis
|
July 26 - SW, C, SC, NE, SE East to Washington, Tulsa and Muskogee cos Only
|
|
Swainson's Hawk
|
July 14 - SE
|
|
Peregrine Falcon
|
July 28 - ALL
|
|
Willow Flycatcher
|
July 30 - ALL
|
|
Least Flycatcher
|
July 15 - ALL
|
|
Bank Swallow
|
July 22 - ALL
|
|
Sedge Wren
|
July 25 - NE, SE
|
|
Yellow Warbler
|
July 20 - SW and July 25 - SE
|
|
Yellow-headed Blackbird
|
July 4 - PAN, NW, SW, C, SC, NE
|
DEPARTURE
|
Glossy Ibis
|
July 28 - NW, SW, C, SE Rare in Alfalfa and Major cos Only in NW; Rare in Tillman Co Only in SW; and Rare in southern McCurtain Co Only in SE
|
The Date Guide divides Oklahoma into 7 geographic regions, and lists the normal dates of occurrence for each Oklahoma bird species within each region. Observers are urged to report unusual species, or birds out of date or out of normal range in Oklahoma, based on the information given in this publication.
Thanks for your help and support for our birds and othe wildlife. “The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will.” — Theodore Roosevelt. I had this quote on my emails for 20 years as a reminder for me and others.
How many people on this list serve are speaking out for wildlife and its habitat, or are you sitting in apathy and indifference as they disappear?
Jerry
________________________________
From: okbirds <OKBIRDS...> on behalf of Susanne Lutze <eztuls46...>
Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2026 1:40 PM
To: <OKBIRDS...> <OKBIRDS...>
Subject: Re: [OKBIRDS] Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation
You are correct to call attention to the process of almost erasing our common birds to an unseeing public. Nature, especially birds, help keep me balanced in a world of chaos, greed and distractions. I try to both start and end each day with
ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart
External Email
ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd
You are correct to call attention to the process of almost erasing our common birds to an unseeing public. Nature, especially birds, help keep me balanced in a world of chaos, greed and distractions. I try to both start and end each day with nature ….my birds, bunnies, insects, coyotes, reptiles are my truth. My soul when given this beginning and end to each day…feels in balance.
Watching young House Finches, young Bue Jays, teen Mockingbirds, yearly juvenile Brown Thrashers, and lots of Mourning Doves, Robins, Sparrows, hawks, and this rear’s family of five Crows….gives me smiles when so much going on in the world is sad.
Thanks for your insights.
"Carry a heart that never hates, a smile that never fades, and a touch that never hurts."
On Tue, Jun 30, 2026 at 2:16 PM <jwdavis...><mailto:<jwdavis...> <jwdavis...><mailto:<jwdavis...>> wrote:
Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation “You don’t know what you have until it is gone” is something that all are aware of. That is a characteristic of humans to fail to appreciate what they have while they have it. Humans become insensitive to stimuli
ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart
External Email
ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd
Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation
“You don’t know what you have until it is gone” is something that all are aware of. That is a characteristic of humans to fail to appreciate what they have while they have it. Humans become insensitive to stimuli and environmental factors with repeat exposure. Birders are not immune to this factor and take for granted the birds they see around them. Yes, you may have been excited about having a bird in your yard the first time but as time wears on, this becomes a common place, and the excitement diminishes just as buying a new object from the store. The hedonic adaptation is a psychological process where people tend to return to a relatively stable baseline level after having positive or negative life events. When something good happens like seeing a new bird or adding a bird to your life lists, you have a boost of happiness, but the feeling fades as your brain adjusts to the experience. This natural and often unconscious process helps keep life stable but can cause you to ignore or become complacent to the treasures and the birds that you have around you. I have been on birding trips with some birders referring to a species seen so often that they call them “trash birds”. There are no trash birds regardless of how often they are seen. You need to regain a gratitude and appreciation for what you have. Find joy in seeing your American Robins, Northern Cardinals, Blue jays, Eastern Bluebirds, and others that you see so often that you ignore their presence and the beauty they hold. By understanding the hedonic adaptation process that is at work in your crinkled cranium you can focus on strategies that promote sustainable well-being, cultivate gratitude, meaningful engagement, and mindful awareness, rather than relying solely on new external circumstances and birds to provide a lasting happiness.
You need to remember that we have lost 3 billion birds since 1970 and four percent (4%) fewer birds are crossing the Gulf each year. In just one decade, we have 40% fewer birds crossing the Gulf. Even what we call our common birds is in steep decline. You need to find a mental way of renewed and sustainable joy and appreciation for our birds and see and experience each one while we still have them.
You are correct to call attention to the process of almost erasing our
common birds to an unseeing public. Nature, especially birds, help keep me
balanced in a world of chaos, greed and distractions. I try to both start
and end each day with nature ….my birds, bunnies, insects, coyotes,
reptiles are my truth. My soul when given this beginning and end to each
day…feels in balance.
Watching young House Finches, young Bue Jays, teen Mockingbirds, yearly
juvenile Brown Thrashers, and lots of Mourning Doves, Robins, Sparrows,
hawks, and this rear’s family of five Crows….gives me smiles when so much
going on in the world is sad.
Thanks for your insights.
"Carry a heart that never hates, a smile that never fades, and a touch that
never hurts."
On Tue, Jun 30, 2026 at 2:16 PM <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...>
wrote:
> Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation “You don’t know what you have until it is
> gone” is something that all are aware of. That is a characteristic of
> humans to fail to appreciate what they have while they have it. Humans
> become insensitive to stimuli
> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart
> External Email
>
> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd
> Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation
> “You don’t know what you have until it is gone” is something that all are
> aware of. That is a characteristic of humans to fail to appreciate what
> they have while they have it. Humans become insensitive to stimuli and
> environmental factors with repeat exposure. Birders are not immune to this
> factor and take for granted the birds they see around them. Yes, you may
> have been excited about having a bird in your yard the first time but as
> time wears on, this becomes a common place, and the excitement diminishes
> just as buying a new object from the store. The hedonic adaptation is a
> psychological process where people tend to return to a relatively stable
> baseline level after having positive or negative life events. When
> something good happens like seeing a new bird or adding a bird to your life
> lists, you have a boost of happiness, but the feeling fades as your brain
> adjusts to the experience. This natural and often unconscious process helps
> keep life stable but can cause you to ignore or become complacent to the
> treasures and the birds that you have around you. I have been on birding
> trips with some birders referring to a species seen so often that they call
> them “trash birds”. There are no trash birds regardless of how often they
> are seen. You need to regain a gratitude and appreciation for what you
> have. Find joy in seeing your American Robins, Northern Cardinals, Blue
> jays, Eastern Bluebirds, and others that you see so often that you ignore
> their presence and the beauty they hold. By understanding the hedonic
> adaptation process that is at work in your crinkled cranium you can focus
> on strategies that promote sustainable well-being, cultivate gratitude,
> meaningful engagement, and mindful awareness, rather than relying solely on
> new external circumstances and birds to provide a lasting happiness.
> You need to remember that we have lost 3 billion birds since 1970 and four
> percent (4%) fewer birds are crossing the Gulf each year. In just one
> decade, we have 40% fewer birds crossing the Gulf. Even what we call our
> common birds is in steep decline. You need to find a mental way of renewed
> and sustainable joy and appreciation for our birds and see and experience
> each one while we still have them.
>
> Jerry Wayne Davis
> June 30, 2026
> Hot Springs, AR
>
Date: 6/26/26 3:55 pm From: Bryan Reynolds <nature_photo_man...> Subject: Recent (and not so recent) Oklahoma birds
All,
I've been remiss in updating the group with my Oklahoma bird photography, but after a great trip to Black Mesa, I thought it was time. First, I wanted to share the images I got for the first half of 2026. I've done several outings, both in my local area (Cleveland County) and a few trips to the Broken Bow/Idabel area. Most of the local coverage is of common birds, but I always try to get behavior (feeding, preening, flying, landing, etc.) and not just the standard static shots. In this batch, highlights include a singing Bell's Vireo, White Ibis, Cattle Egret in flight with nesting material, Neotropic Cormorant (both in flight and some head shots), Painted Bunting, my best shots to date of Eastern Meadowlarks, and more. Here's the album: Recent Oklahoma Birds, Feb-Jun 2026 | Flickr<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.flickr.com/photos/bryanereynolds/albums/72177720334386135/__;!!GNU8KkXDZlD12Q!_f-WE0LV6QMu1QAfxj2Mo0laZil5sE1ivBukRZQibD5OQkQRrHlQSkSF922nYWJPP-AtlkVbwWrnC4NSTJK0sR0cvJ8_Y7o$ [flickr[.]com]>
Last week, I did a trip to Black Mesa. I did have some target wildflowers, but I also wanted to get in some general photography and ended up getting some nice birds. On the way to Black Mesa, I stopped at Canton Lake. Here's my list:
Wild Turkey (one was vigorously shaking off dust after dust bath)
Eastern Kingbird (Canton Lake)
Ferruginous Hawk nest with two chicks (I lucked out with this. I had no idea about this nest and noticed it as I was driving just west of Guymon. Luckily, there was a farmer very near to the nest and he was out working on a combine. So, I stopped and asked permission to drive closer to the nest for photos and he said no problem. I didn't realize the two birds I saw from the road were chicks and I didn't want to linger, so I fired off some photos and then drove away.)
Horned Lark, lifer
Western Meadowlark (a few nice ones perched up on yucca stalks and singing)
Lark Sparrow
Burrowing Owl (Photo-lifer. I saw several and got one near a burrow and another on a yucca stalk)
Cassin's Sparrow, lifer
Red-shafted Northern Flicker, lifer (This one was in the crotch of a tree that apparently had a little pool of water and it was dipping in and drinking)
Orchard Oriole, photo-lifer
Western Kingbird
Scaled Quail, lifer (I think I lucked out here. I was parked and working the Western Kingbird when I noticed movement in the tall grasses. It was two Scaled Quail scurrying through and I shot a lot of frames while trying to get them in focus in the deep grass. Luckly, I had a few clear shots and remarkably, they briefly paused in the shade of my vehicle where I then had some clean shots.)
