Pena Blanca Lake Wildlife: Bobcat

Pena Blanca Lake sits about 7 miles north of the US/Mexico border in the Pajarito Mountains. It is stocked with trout and attracts a few people for fishing. Birding is quite good especially in the southernmost areas where the water is shallow and weeded. I like getting there early since it increases the chance of seeing animals. 

Last Monday was no exception. I saw a Coyote on the drive in and then two Bobcats as I was walking around the lake. 

Here are the Bobcat photos:

Bobcat 1:

Bobcat 2:

Pena Blanca Lake - Part VI

Lastly, the Kingbirds.

Here is a Western Kingbird photographed from Pena Blanca Lake:

Western Kingbird

Then, I'm not an expert on Thick Billed Kingbirds, but got a photo of what appears to be a Thick Billed:

Thick Billed Kingbird?

Pena Blanca Lake - Part V

As you might imagine, I've photographed Great Blue Herons all over the US and Canada. In fact, in the Northwest, they are very common and not hard to find dozens -- if not hundreds at times. (Yes!)

But they make for wonderful photographs. And on our trip to Pena Blanca Lake we found one begging for a photo:

Great Blue Heron

Pena Blanca Lake - Part IV

Three lovely Yellow Warblers showed off just in front of us. I had to decide which one to photograph. I'm pleased with the result:

Yellow Warbler

Pena Blanca Lake - Part III

There were several Green Herons, both juvenile and adult. Seems like we kept flushing them out. But did quietly get some nice photos including this one in a nearby tree:

Green Heron

More from Pena Blanca Lake

As I mentioned we didn't find the Green Kingfisher, but did find a nice Belted Kingfisher who allowed me some nice photos:

Belted Kingfisher

Pena Blanca Lake -- Outstanding Birding Spot

Christine and I headed down to Pena Blanca Lake early yesterday morning in search of the Green Kingfisher.

Pena Blanca Lake is about ten miles from the US/Mexico border near Nogales. It is a beautiful lake (even if man-made). And it was quite "birdie". At times  hard to decide what bird to photograph.

We didn't see the Green Kingfisher but did see and get nice photos of a Green Heron and a Belted Kingfisher plus the even rarer Yellow-green Vireo. Other good birds included:

Blue Grosbeak

Varied Bunting

Summer Tanager

Great Blue Heron

Green Heron

Wilson's Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Warbling Vireo

Bewicks Wren

Marsh Wren

I'll show off the Yellow-green Vireo today, with some of the others over the next couple of days:

Yellow-green Vireo

Pena Blanca Lake

The story continues:

Two days later, we made the same trip with some friends starting with a picnic at Pena Blanca Lake. This was more of a "hike" and sightseeing tour than birding/photo trip. Didn't get to the spot at Pena Blanca where the Rufous Capped Warbler has been hanging out. 

Although American Coots are everywhere, and I normally don't take photos of them anymore, I did get one this time of one begging for a photo:

American Coot