Author Archives: Richard

Raptors Rule The Rio Grande Valley

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Richard

Wherever you go in the Rio Grande Valley, you find hawks – yesterday morning we found a Zone-tailed Hawk in among some Turkey Vultures (it was too far away for photos) and also saw this Osprey waiting for breakfast. Pretty … Continue reading →

Posted in raptors, Rio Grande Valley, Southwest trip 5, Texas birding, Texas birds | 1 Comment

Penny Meets Some Pigs Out Back

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Richard

Posted in Vermont Birding | 2 Comments

Signs and Sounds of Spring

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Richard

As I sat outside last evening, dozens of Red-wing Blackbirds were in the tree above me, chattering and calling away, and I thought, "I’m certainly not in Vermont anymore." Here in deep South Texas where spring comes early (winter never … Continue reading →

Posted in Falcon State Park, nature, Plants & Flowers, Southwest trip 5 | Comments Off on Signs and Sounds of Spring

Father Bird

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Richard

Yesterday morning, Mary and I ( and our bird dog) were at Estero Grande Llano State Park to check out some of the wonderful array of birds there – it was Mary’s first visit. As is my custom, I did … Continue reading →

Posted in License Plates, Rio Grande Valley, Southwest trip 5, Texas birding | Comments Off on Father Bird

Pop-up Birds

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Richard

Often when birding, a bird pops around a tree trunk or up to the top of a shrub and you want to get it in your binoculars but at the same time, take a photo. Good photographers are fast and … Continue reading →

Posted in Rio Grande Valley, Southwest trip 5, Texas birding | 1 Comment

Getting Buff

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Richard

One of the things I’ve noticed in the Southwest is the amount of car washing that goes on — cars and trucks are washed continually. There are small setups everywhere – no do it yourself but rather guys who tackle … Continue reading →

Posted in Airstream, polishing, rig maintenance | Comments Off on Getting Buff

More Birding License Plates

Posted on February 7, 2015 by Richard

A few years ago, I started collecting photos of birding license plates after One of our Canadian friends mentioned that had started a collection. So their plate, shown here, was my first one. We are in prime vanity plate territory … Continue reading →

Posted in License Plates | 4 Comments

Chasing Mister Yellowthroat

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Richard

It started about eight-thirty one night over a week ago when a sharp knock on the Airstream door launched Penny into a barking frenzy. I got her leashed as I opened the door to two Canadian birder friends who were … Continue reading →

Posted in life bird, Life list, rare bird, Southwest trip 5, Texas birding, Texas birds | Comments Off on Chasing Mister Yellowthroat

Free Range Porkers

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Richard

When I bird with Penny in our woods at home I never have her on leash and her wildlife encounters are usually with red squirrels or chipmunks – she tends to ignore deer. We have encountered a few Black Bears, … Continue reading →

Posted in Desert birds, Southwest trip 5, Texas birding, Texas birds, Wildlife Watching | 3 Comments

Turtle Love & Some Birds

Posted on January 30, 2015 by Richard

With Valentine’s Day approaching, I thought that "will you be my Valentine?" would be a good caption for these two turtles I saw the other day. One of the specialties of the Rio Grande Valley is the Green Jay. Here, … Continue reading →

Posted in Vermont Birding | 2 Comments