Cold Winter Days in Arkansas (Eagles)

Another cold day here at "Matilda's Cave". This was taken on another cold day last year in Arkansas. It was a chance shot, as we were traveling down some backroads searching the surrounding area this and another eagle were spotted on the road right of way near chicken houses. I am going back to this area today looking for Bald Eagles.

Fascination with Nature

Today I remained inside the confines of my cave avoiding the cold wind, however my soul continues to desire that body and soul escape, loaf, or just ramble through the woods and streams of some secluded mountain trails. A secluded favorite place where only me and my pups wander, a place where inspiring thoughts are found in the quietness of natural and real things. 

The promise of rain always excites me, something different than the norm. The rain washes the earth and confines intolerable souls to their dark corners. Only the hardy and happy humans brave the rain. We hear trash talk like " I am going to stand in the rain" or "what a day for a walk in the rain" when in truth you could not throw their weak phony asses off the porch.

One of my favorite sounds is that of thunder rumbling through the mountain valley and then the sound of rain drops on the leaves or streams. God gave us such simple things to enjoy but yet we are always in search of bigger and better. A lawn chair, camera, thermos of coffee and snacks sitting in seclusion far from worries and advice of assholes is the true "Good Life".

Me and Jane went to a location to view a new eagle nest last week. As we walked through the woods between the nest tree location and  shore of a lake we could see dark clouds and hear thunder far across the lake;this only added to the experience of the day. As we returned to the vehicle rain started slowly and then huge rain drops started. We drove to a point that overlooks the lake in a effort to spot a chance sighting of the eagle flying to a roost to avoid the storm. No eagle was observed but the snacks were good in the rain and the conversation was better.The rain was falling so hard we could not have seen the eagle if it had been on the hood of our ride.

Nature Happenings: Fall is Here

Nature Happenings: Fall is Here: This morning finally felt like fall arrived. Soon we will smell the aroma of hardwood burning in the fireplace and hear the geese flying sou...

Fall is Here

This morning finally felt like fall arrived. Soon we will smell the aroma of hardwood burning in the fireplace and hear the geese flying south, that is when I like to wander through the wild. The butterflies and hummers are many here at my cave. I enjoy the Texas wild flowers I planted years ago. They re-produce each year with little work for me and they bring critters for me to watch and photograph. I so much enjoy the wilds of nature and the solitude it offers. Nothing can compare to a cool morning, cup of coffee and nature at your front door.

Today we went to Rick Evans W M A near Saratoga Arkansas to see what it had to offer in the way of wildlife and flowers. It was generous to us as nature usually is. I photographed Red Tail Hawks and butterflies, wildflowers and enjoyed the company. 

Blue Sky and Red Tail Hawks

Today was a great fall day with cool temperatures here at my cave. We decided to go check out the "Rick Evans WMA" in Arkansas. We arrived around noon and spotted a bunch of Red Tail Hawks over the area. I got some photos of them and then we found the butterflies (Monarch) and other species. The weather was so nice you wanted to remain all day.

Butterflies and Autumn

The last days of summer are here and winter not far behind. I can say I am happy with this, I am ready for some winter nature photography with unusual weather. I am enjoying the winter migration of all that move south.Outside my cave widow has been a busy scene the past few days with all the South bound traffic.
The butterflies,bees and hummers are filling up for the journey south.Each day I have new species of all. The Mississippi Kites have already moved south from here.They always move within a few days ether side of "Labor Day". 

 

The Butterflies Return to my Wildflower Garden

The past two days the "Flying Gardens" returned to my "Texas Wildflower Gardens" in my yard. Several years ago I ordered the East Texas blend and now I just wait for them to re-produce with little care, the Hummers and Butterflies love them. From my cave window I can see three gardens while I write and edit my photographs, at this moment I also see three Mississippi Kites flying overhead with a thunderhead in the background.

I enjoy the wildflowers as much as the critters, today I got a bonus, I photographed a Hummingbird moth and a grasshopper on the blooms. There is always a challenge and a surprise awaiting in nature.

From My Cave Window Today

Rain is falling here at the cave, Mother is washing her gifts once again. I am enjoying watching the drops fall and the birds at the feeder just outside my window.The blue-jays are feeding in the heavy rain and resembles some other black bird. The hummers are back and we have their feeders hanging. From my patio we watch the birds feeding and the Mississippi Kites flying overhead.

Life is made for peace and quite and enjoying the wild nature that surrounds us.Here in my cave I am surrounded by bird books for identification and they are beginning to show wear and tare. Soon the weather will support the butterfly's when the temperatures remain warm the entire day.I wish I could enjoy these scenes with no clutter from humans in the background.    

New Grounds Rick Evans W L M A Arkansas

Eagle and Nest at Rick Evans conservation in Arkansas. Many wildflowers and song birds.

The storms have been plenty and the eagles have weathered the hail storms. In these photos they are attempting to dry their wings on a snag near their nest

Today I went searching for new wildlife to photograph and had little luck. We have storms moving in and the next two weeks look like monsoons will be the order of the days. I am ready to travel north to the hills of Arkansas to visit and photograph. The next visit I am going to explore some new locations for different subjects.

Today was cloudy and storms threatened all day and the wildlife was hold up some other places than where I looked. I did find that the nutria has another bunch of little ones (this is normal for them). In the river bottoms were an abundance of red wing blackbirds. In the swamp where we have photographed lately there is little water and the ducks have moved on, however, we did see two American geese in the growth.   

I plan to brave the monsoons and go north and watch the eagle to see if the eaglets have hatched, they should be by now. 

Wild Boar and Bald Eagles

Went to the woods today to be with my friends. This Boar was a BIG dude. We were eye to eye and I was to slow  and shot his butt. 

Riding the Storm in the new nest

The Ogden eagle weathering a storm in the new nest

First Gator of 2016 and Hawk Nest

The sunshine arrived after many days of rain and I went to the boonies looking for old and new friends to watch and photograph. The hawk was on the nest and the gators were out. The warm temperature brought the gators out to sun. Spotted one American goose alone in one of the backwater sloughs.

The Eagles are moving farther south each day. Today I located and photographed a Bald on a lake I have been photographing on for the last few months, it is loaded with ducks of all kind and today their set the eagle on the bank in some back water from the flood rains. One never knows what critter will be produced for you to photograph. It takes patience and going back over and over.

Eagles and the flood

Today I give in and went to the bottoms to check on the eagles, hawks, and the floodwater. I found something else checking out the backwater also.

Rain Rain and more Rain

Rain has been falling for several days and more to come. The low places are flooded and some roads are being closed. However, I like dark sky and rain, it makes me dream of places and things I want to visit. I remember when people would get together and cook on days like this, now they all hibernate and are afraid to get wet. Nature is fun to watch in this kind of weather especially in the Arkansas mountains with a cozy cabin to return to and have some joe. I am going to the swamp to look for more wood ducks, eagles and check on the hawk nest "come hell or high water".

Wood Ducks and the Storm

 A bad storm was moving in when we found these ducks in the swamp, Wood Ducks have such beautiful colors. This swamp has lots of grass growth for cover.

Nutria Famlies

These nutria are located in a wetland slough along Sparks Lane in Bowie County. There are many in this wetland. They are native to South America and the Caribbean . They were introduced into Louisiana in the 1930 for their fur by the fur trade.They escaped during hurricanes and floods and breed enormously in the wild.  The ones in this photo are on "Feeding Platforms"  made of aquatic vegetation located all over the slough.In the late evenings they make sounds similar to pigs grunting. The long course guard hair are used in the manufacture of felt for hats and the soft belly hair for coats and lining.

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Arkansas Bald Eagle Sunning

On this spring like day in winter the Ogden Bald Eagle is enjoying the sunshine atop a dead snag. They have rebuilt their nest that tumbled this last fall. It is located a few feet southeast of the old one. It is close to the highway and I hope this does not cause to much attention.

Bald Eagle pair return to fallen nest site

This bald eagle pair raised two sets of eaglets at this location and a few months ago their nest and the snag it was on fell. I checked often on them and not seen them until this week perched on a snag near where the nest fell.

Ogden, Arkansas eagle returns

This is the location that the nest fell when the snag snapped in Ogden, Arkansas. We watched two sets of eaglets fledged from this nest you see on the ground with the snag on top of the nest.  Today was the first time we observed the adults since the nest fell. I hope they re-build near this location. 

Nature Happenings: American BeaverThis American Beaver was filmed a...

Nature Happenings: American Beaver

This American Beaver was filmed a...: American Beaver This American Beaver was filmed and observed in Bowie County, Texas near a slough. It was feeding on some sticks along...

American Beaver

This American Beaver was filmed and observed in Bowie County, Texas near a slough. It was feeding on some sticks along the bank. I was looking for eagles when I happened upon this critter. You should never say "I am going to photograph_______ because it never happens that way. One should enter nature with an open mind and eye. Nature is full of surprises!