This landing cattle egret is slightly symbolic of my arrival in a new state and seeing the birds and wildlife of Oklahoma right outside my back door every day.
Landing Western Cattle Egret – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f9, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The birds are amazing, and I see these cattle egrets feeding and foraging in the yard and fields up close and personal.
In addition to the egrets, when they are feeding, the Mississippi Kites fly in and swoop down towards the insects that the egrets stir up. Sometimes I see anywhere between one to six Mississippi Kites in action.
All I need are sunshine and blue skies with high thin clouds, instead of the gray ones of the past week or the bright sunny ones when the sun is too high to be photographing the kites.
I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed for those kind of conditions!
Blooming Fourpoint Evening Primrose – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f9, 1/1250, ISO 640, -0.3, EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
There are five acres here where I can wander, and fields all over the place are covered in blooming Fourpoint Evening Primroses. They sure look pretty against the white plumage of the Western Cattle Egrets.
And going back to the birds, so far these are the yard birds I have seen and/or heard:
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- Mississippi Kites
- Eastern Meadowlarks
- Northern Mockingbirds
- Northern Cardinal
- Lark Sparrows
- Scissor-tailed Flycatchers
- Western Cattle Egrets
- Black Vultures
- Turkey Vultures
- Eastern Kingbirds
- Mourning Doves
- Barn Swallows
- Cliff Swallows
- Eastern Bluebirds
- Red-tailed Hawks
- Snowy Egrets
- Canada Geese
- Great Blue Heron
- Brown-headed Cowbirds
- Red-winged Blackbirds
- Western Kingbirds
- House Sparrows
- Eastern Towhees
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Common Nighthawk
- American Crow
- Killdeer
- Carolina Chickadee
- Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
- Yellow-billed Cuckoo(Rain Crow, heard)
- Eastern Phoebe (heard)
- Carolina Wren
- Red-bellied Woodpecker (heard)
- Orchard Oriole
- Greater Roadrunner
- Great-crested Flycatcher
- Cooper’s Hawk
- Purple Martin
- Song Sparrow
- Bald Eagle
- sparrow sp (Can’t make them all out, yet)
In addition to the birds, I have seen deer from the back step. There is also a young Eastern Cottontail I see almost daily, and a lizard I am excited to photograph and identify.
Yes, I have landed, every morning is the start of a new adventure.
And life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Western Cattle Egret photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see more of my flower, shrub and tree photos.
I’m so glad you’re off to such a bird-filled start in your new home. What an incredible list of yard birds! Enjoy! And thanks for the beautiful images.
The Western Cattle Egret is clearly signaling your “touchdown” in Oklahoma. Great shot. Thanks Mia.
Such diversity to explore in your own backyard. Enjoy and congratulations on your move.
I am so very happy for you – and grateful for the wonders you share.
Very neat experiences. Such a lovely place to live. Good choice!
I am very happy for you. Your yard bird list is very impressive. I am surprised to see that kites are on your list. I am not really familiar with Oklahoma birds. I wish you continued joy in your new home.
From your words it seems like you’ve arrived in photographers’ paradise. Your list of species is impressive.
Can’t wait to see some more of your beautiful images.