A Garden Of Eden: Part I

Before this writing, nearly a week had passed since Tom Wymelenberg advised me of a Northern Flicker nest cavity at the Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area resulting in my re-visit to the magnificent wildlife venue on the morning of 21 May.

The scene above was photographed at Babcock-Webb wildlife management area in May 2014.

Tom W had given very good directions to the nest, but I failed to see activity at dawn and at the later noon time observation. If I were looking in the right area, I would speculate that my relatively brief observation time of an hour at this spot was poor, that there was a tragic event of predation, or the birds simply fledged the nest which is my hope.

The Pine Warbler above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

The Brown-headed Nuthatch above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

The Brown-headed Nuthatch above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

While I have not made many trips to Babcock-Webb WMA, this latest visit was immensely enjoyable with greater time spent here in a day than compared to any other venue that I recall.

The banded Red-cockaded Woodpecker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

The banded Red-cockaded Woodpecker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

The banded Red-cockaded Woodpecker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

Tom had advised of Common Nighthawk on the ground. Not knowing where he was referring to, I as well had a very close encounter with the species which nests here.

The banded Red-cockaded Woodpecker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

The banded Red-cockaded Woodpecker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

The Eastern Meadowlark above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

It was rewarding to see that the Red-cockaded Woodpeckers were active and banded. It is possible that the birds are merely establishing relationships at this point.

The Eastern Meadowlark above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

While the Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area can certainly be considered as near nirvana which I have known for some time, it wasn't until this week that I found what I would describe as a wildlife garden of eden.

The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

The Northern Flicker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

This place will hopefully be able to be revisited before it floods while certainly reported about further next week.

The Common Ground Dove above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

Please also see: A Garden Of Eden Part II
Please also see: A Garden Of Eden Part III