Black Mesa Bird Photography on a Windy Day

Black Mesa bird photography gave me several new birds during my Oklahoma camping trip. The strong wind made my ninth day tough, but I still came home with a Swainson’s Hawk photo.

I also included three encounters from earlier in the trip that I had not shared.

Black Mesa Bird Photography Brings New Discoveries

I photographed a Cassin’s Kingbird near the south entrance to Black Mesa State Park. It perched on a barbed wire fence, which seemed to be its favored perch.

Cassin’s Kingbird perched on a barbed wire fence at Black Mesa State Park in Oklahoma — A Cassin’s Kingbird uses a barbed wire fence near the south entrance to Black Mesa State Park.

Cassin’s Kingbirds live across much of the western United States, including parts of Oklahoma. They use open woodlands and grasslands with tall trees and room to hunt insects.

My friend and fellow photographer Mia helped me identify some of the new birds.

I found a Cassin’s Sparrow on another barbed wire fence earlier in the trip. These sparrows use dry grasslands with scattered shrubs, cacti, yucca, and small trees.

Cassin’s Sparrow perched on a barbed wire fence at Black Mesa State Park in Oklahoma — A Cassin’s Sparrow rests on a barbed wire fence during my Black Mesa camping trip.

The windy ninth day brought a Swainson’s Hawk along one of the area roads. These hawks pass through Oklahoma during their spring and fall migrations. They breed in North America and spend the winter in South America.

Swainson’s Hawk photographed near Black Mesa State Park in western Oklahoma — I spotted this Swainson’s Hawk while driving roads near Black Mesa State Park on a windy day.

I also photographed two Blue-winged Teal earlier in the trip. One bird bit the other after it moved into its territory. The encounter ended fast, but I managed to photograph it.

One Blue-winged Teal biting another during a territorial dispute at Black Mesa — One Blue-winged Teal bites another after the second bird moves into its territory.

Photographing Birds in the Black Mesa Wind

The relentless wind made bird photography harder on my ninth day. I kept watching the roads and spotted the Swainson’s Hawk while driving through the area.

The kingbird and sparrow photos came from earlier outings. Both birds chose barbed wire fences instead of natural perches. Those fence lines gave me a clear look at each bird.

I had photographed the Blue-winged Teal earlier in the trip as well. Their brief dispute added a behavior photo to the portraits from Black Mesa.

Four Bird Encounters From One Camping Trip

Black Mesa introduced me to birds I had not photographed before. Mia’s identification help let me put the right names to those discoveries.

This trip kept producing new encounters, even during difficult weather. I had another memorable outing during A Turkey-filled Morning at Black Mesa State Park.