Category Archives: SW Trip 2018

Hunkering Down

After a few days at Fontainbleau State Park and a nice reunion in New Orleans with Vermont friends, we headed northward and endured a long trip on busy but dry roads back home. The van ran well and aside from a last day long trek, we kept the legs reasonable with motel stays along the way. Since then, it’s been a lot of catch-up work and a series of Nor’easter snowstorms, including 12-14 inches last night. The Sprinter isn’t going anywhere soon.

The Florida van had -30 temperatures before we left and several feet of snow since we returned.

I am including a couple of bird photos — two from Louisiana and one from Vermont.

This Loggerhead Shrike (or its cousin) was on the same power line last year.

It will be a while before we see Eastern Bluebirds here.

However, some American Robins are hanging in there in wintry Central Vermont.

Now we are packing for a two-week birding trip to Ecuador with a group from the North Branch Nature Center. I expect to be offline until early April but will share a few shots from this exciting adventure.

Adios, Texas

We said goodbye to Texas today in a typical fashion – 70 mph on I-10 with too-many trailer trucks, a very gusty crosswind, and 80 degree temperatures. We are in Louisiana for a few days (Hi American Robins, Blue Jays, American Crows) before turning northward toward home. Here are some shots, all taken with at least 15-20 knots of wind buffeting the camera, of some Texas birds we’ve seen in the last few days.

Lesser Goldfinch riding out the wind

It is neat to see Altimira Orioles in natural settings instead of at a feeder

We saw a dozen Monk Parakeets at the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse trail

Whether “kiting” or perched, White-tailed kites are special.

These White-faced Ibis make one think of their prehistoric ancestors.

We never tire of seeing the regal Great Blue Heron.

 

Long-legged Feeders

Some birds, like these Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and Great-blue Heron, stand still and suddenly strike their prey.

Great Egrets and Snowy Egret.

Great Blue Heron

The Reddish Egret is known for its “dancing” to scare up fish. This guy was resting when we saw him.

This Tri-color Heron was stirring up fish with its feet and using the wing shadows to spot fish.

More Snapshots

Too many bird pictures, too little time – the story of birding in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

This House Wren looked in a nesting mood.

A school (?) of Black-necked Stilts with their Snowy Egret teacher.

Neotropic Cormorants discussing the latest tweet?

Mottled Ducks – male has bright yellow beak.

Orange-crown Warbler eating fruit.

Camera-shy Clapper Rail.

Big Bend National Park

We just are finishing a road trip up to Big Bend National Park to get some sun and warmth and so we did – 37 degrees at night and mid-80’s during the day. We stopped at Casa Blanca SP and Seminole Canyon SP coming and going. Lots of straight driving at 75 but a good venture.

This is a view of the "Window" at the Chisos Basin

The Rio Grande

I’ll cover our international expedition next post.

Just Plain Birds

I’ve been showing off flashy birds that are eye candy but we have been seeing lots of less showboat but just as interesting subjects. Here are some:

The Orange-crowned warbler is everywhere.

White Ibis (we see white-faced as well)

A gaggle of Snowy Egrets

Long-billed Curlew working the outfield of a ball park

Black Phoebe in poor light

American Wigeon and below, his main squeeze

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk

Olive Sparrow

Sick of grey weather, we are moseying westward for some adventures and hopefully some sun.

Buntings

There are a couple of rare buntings in the area and in the last couple of days, we saw them both. The first was at Quinta Matzalan, a sprawling Spanish-revival estate surrounded by sprawling tropical gardens and lots of birds. The juvenile male Blue Bunting has been drawing birders from all over and after a chilly wait, I saw it at a feeder along with a dozen others.

I thought I’d seen a Blue Bunting in Maryland a few years ago and was surprised to find that this was a life bird – #466 – the Maryland bird was a Blue Grosbeak.

The second bunting was a Painted Bunting which has been hanging out at the National Butterfly Center. Sally and I got great looks at it as it foraged along the pathways, oblivious to the clicking telephoto lenses.