Black Mesa State Park, OK

This area that the park was named for was formed as a result of a volcano back a couple of years ago. The habitat is part desert and part riparian, much like what you find in Arizona and New Mexico.

I found the bird life to be very much a mix of eastern and western birds. Many Western Kingbirds. I heard a Says Phoebe. Saw a Bullock’s oriole at a feeder. Plenty of Common Grackles and Red-Winged Blackbirds. Saw a bluebird nest box…wonder Eastern, Western or Mountain bluebirds nesting at that box. Barn Swallows making moth scoops on the roadway in the park and Northern Rough Wing swallows cris-crossing the very low Carl Etling Lake. American Robins are doing well here and their red breast is a very dark red compared to the lighter red at other places. Lark Sparrows are plentiful. Even have the hated Eurasian Collared Dove. Have observed a pair of  Mourning Doves. The moths are hatching out and a rough estimate of a gazillion is probably short. Heard a bullfrog in the low flowing river last night.

The American Robin

Sign on the window of the park building…What to do if you see a Mountain Lion. I expect there are sightings, but probably far and few. I didn’t read the instructions.

Full humongus moon last night. Photos did not come out very good as there was too much cloud cover.

Moon from Friday night.

There are remains of a petrified forest here in the park. Very interesting.

Some pics of the environment.

Molten lava flow.

A very low Lake Carl Etling.

Top to bottom from the Overlook. Cottonwood campground back in the trees.