Wednesday, November 12, 2014

First Visit to Optima National Wildlife Refuge June 2014

Located in the middle of the Oklahoma panhandle away from the maddening rush of the 9 to 5, this  refuge with a variety of habitat types, ranging from uplands dominated by sage to creek bottoms in cottonwood trees can be found here. It is a wintering home for migrating waterfowl, primarily Canada geese and mallards, as well as a prime habitat for resident species such as white-tailed deer, coyotes, Rio Grande turkeys, quail and many others.  Please Enjoy...

 




This was my first opportunity to see a Scaled Quail. As birders would say" another life bird" sighting





Baby Quail chicks



Scissor tailed fly catchers 




Wine Cup ( I think)


Red Ants



Prickly Pear Cactus Flower with pollinator on board.