Date: 2/5/26 9:26 am From: Bryan Reynolds <nature_photo_man...> Subject: Recent central Oklahoma birds - after the snowstorm
All,
After the recent storms, I spent three days photographing the birds around my feeders (secondary crosstimbers habitat in Cleveland County). They went through roughly 60 pounds of black-oil sunflower seeds and two suet cakes in one week. I just sat quietly with my camera on a tripod and fired away at all who came. I wanted 'natural' looking photos, so I did not photograph any on a feeder or on the ground where I had broadcast seed, but instead I worked the periphery of the area as the birds funneled in. At times, I could not believe the numbers with roughly 30 male cardinals under and around the feeders and I'm estimating around 20 fox sparrows and the same amount of juncos bobbing around, even under my feet. All the ports in the feeders were constantly in use with three species of finches (gold, house and purple). I managed to get 13 species photographed, but there were several more I didn't get. One strange thing I saw was a male cardinal with a bald head. Apparently, this is due to mites or lice? Any thoughts on this? I named him Skeletor from the He-man cartoon.
After the three days photographing in the yard, I had to get groceries and, on the way, I decided to drive around the Purcell City Lake to see what was out. I got some coverage of a couple song and white-throated sparrows as well as a northern mocking bird foraging on sumac berries.
