While I was at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge yesterday, I had a great time photographing an adult Northern Mockingbird on a snag near the road.

Northern Mockingbird on a snag at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge – Canon R7, beanbag, f9, 1/1250, ISO 640, +1.3 EV, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light

What can’t be seen in these Northern Mockingbird images is a Loggerhead Shrike in the distance that had been dive-bombing the mockingbird.

I do wish the shrike had been close enough to get high quality photos of it. I’m fond of Loggerhead Shrikes but I don’t see them as often here as I did in Utah.

Autumn Northern Mockingbird in Oklahoma, Sequoyah National Wildlife RefugeAutumn Northern Mockingbird in Oklahoma – Canon R7, beanbag, f9, 1/1600, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light

At home I see and hear Northern Mockingbirds daily. At the refuge in the bottomland hardwood forests? Not all that often.

This one wasn’t singing, it appeared to be looking for food.

Northern Mockingbird perched on a weed stem at Sequoyah NWR, OklahomaNorthern Mockingbird perched on a weed stem at Sequoyah NWR – Canon R7, beanbag, f9, 1/800, ISO 400, +1.3 EV, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light

The refuge has more water now than I have seen since late May or early June. Large flocks of Double-crested Cormorants flew towards and above the Arkansas River. At the Willow Slough parking area, Ruby-crowned Kinglets seemed to be dripping from the vines.

I saw my first of season Chipping, White-crowned, and Harris’s Sparrows and murmurations of blackbirds over the plowed fields. Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks cried out while in flight.

Coyotes and White-tailed Deer were on the move.

Summer was extremely hot and dry at the refuge. It really felt awesome to be there yesterday after the change in weather. Peaceful, vibrant, and alive.

Life is good.

Mia

View more of my Northern Mockingbird photos in my galleries plus facts and information about this species.