Birds Around the Lake

May 25, 2023 / Rebecca / 10 Comments

The area around Reelfoot Lake was once again busy with a variety of birds, some of which were passing through during spring migration.

One of my favorites to look for each year is the Prothonotary Warbler with its bright yellow plumage. I spotted this one in a wooded area, busily preening its feathers.

Flitting about in the top of the Cypress trees were the Yellow-rumped warblers flashing their beautiful yellow patches …

and the larger gray and white Eastern Kingbird on the lookout for flying insects.

Down closer to the water we spotted a shy thrush sitting on a cypress knee …

and a male and female Red-winged blackbird, catching insects and guarding nests among the swampy vegetation.

“In a world where thrushes sing and willow trees are golden in the spring, boredom should have been included among the seven deadly sins.” ~Elizabeth Goudge

Perching along the levee

May 12, 2020 / Rebecca / 15 Comments

In May, the sounds of a variety of birds hidden in the tall, dense grass along the Mississippi levee fill the air. Seemingly out of nowhere, a bird will flutter through the air and alight on top of a tall weed stalk. It is interesting to slowly ride along the levee road, occasionally stopping to watch in silence, to see what different types of birds can be spotted.

male Bobolink

male Indigo bunting

male Dickcissel

immature male Orchard Oriole

Eastern Kingbird

male and female Red-winged blackbirds

“In order to see birds it is necessary to become part of the silence.” ~Robert Lynd

Bird watching

July 18, 2017 / Rebecca / 9 Comments

Back in early May, I spotted two birds in the Reelfoot Lake area that I had never photographed before. The first was an Eastern Kingbird. Quite a dapper looking fellow, he was sitting in a Cypress tree out in the lake. I watched for some time as he flew off to snatch insects out of the air and then returned to the comfort of his perch in the tree.

The other was a Baltimore Oriole sitting in a tree at the State Park. He and his female companion were busy with the task of nest-building. Between all the flurry of activity, he seemed to be dutifully guarding the site. Baltimore Orioles migrate through our area in the springtime, but generally move northward for the summer.