Saturday marked Day 6 of my camping and wildlife photography adventure at Black Mesa State Park in Oklahoma. With the arrival of Labor Day weekend, the park, which had been nearly empty just a couple of days ago, began filling up with campers on Friday evening. I had previously shared a photo showing how quiet and empty this park was (check it out here). Now, it’s nearly full! But I don’t mind at all—it’s wonderful to see so many people out enjoying nature.
Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer here in the United States, and many folks take this time to relish the last warm-weather activities before fall settles in. Camping is a popular way to celebrate, and it’s great to see everyone making the most of these final days of summer.
With the park bustling with activity, I decided to find a quieter spot for some wildlife photography. I walked to Lake Carl Etling, just a short distance from my campsite. The lake is quite low, so I was able to walk along most of the shoreline. I eventually found a little shaded spot in the far northeast corner, near the bluffs.
As I settled in, a couple of Beavers made their way close to where I was sitting, offering a perfect photo opportunity. I watched them float around near the lake’s edge, snapping a few photos as they went about their business.
A bit later, a bunch of grass carps came close, likely feeding on the floating vegetation. I like to think that the Beavers and Carp were welcoming me to their corner of the lake.
Several birds flew overhead, and I managed to photograph a Double-crested Cormorant and a Pigeon that was part of a larger flock. They were landing on the nearby rock bluffs.
I saw many other birds, but the harsh light made it difficult to get good photos, so I didn’t photograph much more.
After a while, I headed back to camp for lunch. With so many people around, I’m not sure what my plans are for tomorrow, but I’m sure I’ll figure something out. Life is good!
If you enjoyed this post, stay tuned for more updates on my Black Mesa adventure, and don’t forget to check out my earlier posts for more wildlife photography from this trip!
It seems on long weekends every one is out to the mountains and parks to make a get a way from the crowds, and they end up in crowds anyway. Nice pictures. Love the Beaver as they are part of my Coat of Arms for Brooks. Glad you found a private place to take pictures. Happy Labor Day Weekend.
Thank you and Happy Labor Day!