I encountered a “Time Out” (a Dkos admin. decision) in December and decided to take that day off and travel the two hours to Noxubee Wildlife Refuge. I hoped to see new species and found two lifers. It was cold with a light fog at 6 am when I drove up to the first lake (site 1).
A portion of the large tract making up the Wildlife Refuge
From the comfort of my truck, because I was within 6 feet of the water’s edge, I saw and filmed the following birds as soon as the fog lifted.
This first photo was taken before the sun “cooked” the fog off the water.
Cormorant on a Cypress Snag
American Coot with mate. A lifer for me.
Northern Shoveler (a Lifer for me)
Shoveler and mate
There were plenty of waterfowl feeding on the rich weeds and abundant fish.
Pied-billed Grebe
Ring-necked Duck
male Common Gallinule
Then I got to experience a sight I’d never encountered. A Northern Harrier flew several passes over the shallow lake. I was able to get this one photo but my video never focused. Smaller birds scampered into the reeds and grasses as the hunter hovered. The Harrier moved on before getting a prize.
The Kingfisher below landed close and gave a call telling me it was time to move on.
male Belted Kingfisher
20 second video
I drove 5 minutes to site 2 and occupied the viewing platform for my next series of shots. I saw this sign as I approached the parking area.
Most of the Wildlife Refuge is maintained specifically to create a habitat for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker and the supporting vegetation (Long leaf Pine) that the birds live in and feed from. Prescribed burns are lit annually through rotated areas.
One dead stump still smoldering.
The Phoebe in the title photo was filmed at Site 2.
30 second video
Here are some of the other birds I spotted.
Anhinga catching the morning rays
Brown Creeper hunting in the Spanish Moss on a Cypress tree
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Great Blue Heron
As I was packing up to leave, I spotted a juvenile Bald Eagle hunting the lake. It was too far to get good shots. This is what I did capture.
The Grebe submerged to evade capture and surprisingly the eagle grabbed a fish instead. Here it is flying away with it’s prize.
Not the best circumstances for photos but great for action.
I noticed this River Cooter had climbed out onto a log. I took this as my cue to head home.
A bright bit of orange deserved a look when I reached the end of the walkway.
tiny mushrooms among the fallen Cypress leaves.
I hope you all could visit Noxubee to see the vast ecosystem that is established there.
