TexasBirder

Last night we were so happy to receive an encore performance from the Cirque du Raccoon. To finish the show with an emphatic climax, it provided the always popular mic drop. Err, hummer feeder drop. #Mammal #CorpusChristiTX

Male Baltimore Oriole perched on an orange and taking some bites.

Male Baltimore Oriole perched on an orange and taking some bites.

When the Baltimore Orioles are migrating through our area, I try to put out some orange halves for them. I think they enjoy them. #Birds #CorpusChristiTx

Ruby-throated Hummingbird perching on a zip tie close to a sugar water feeder.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird perching on a zip tie close to a sugar water feeder.

After reading some online recommendations about providing additional perches for hummers by putting up zip ties, I decided to give it a try. I have 3 up and they are used constantly by those who want to keep close watch over “their” feeder. 😜 #Birds #CorpusChristiTx

This Ruby-throated Hummer visiting the bright yellow blooms of the Esperanza.

Leaving one of the sugar water feeders after a taste.

Ruby, throated, hummingbird in flight with a Coxcomb plant in the background.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird with its beak inside the bloom gathering some pollen.

Still having a decent number of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the yard on the feeders and visiting our variety of blooms. #Birds #CorpusChristiTX #Nature.

We were so privileged to get a private performance of Cirque Du Raccoon last night. So graceful. #CorpusChristiTx #Mammal #Ring #StickupCam

Male Baltimore Oriole showing off its colorful outfit before taking a bath in the shallows.

Post bath shot of this male Baltimore Oriole

A little morning Tai Chi by this male Baltimore Oriole.

Male Baltimore Oriole showing off its colorful outfit before taking a bath in the shallows.

Decided to buy a close focus trailcam recently to try out in the yard. With migration, it picked up male Baltimore Orioles in the water feature recently about a foot away from the lens. #Birds #CorpusChristiTx #Nature

Shrike perched on bracket where we usually hang plants and currently have hummingbird feeders. Most of the time it’s in the shade.

The Shrike flew up to the roof above the previous perch.

Shrike again on the edge of the roof.

A second Shrike popped in to the frame.

The Loggerhead Shrikes are in the area and one has been on out patio several times recently. Surprised to see a second one come along and give some grief. #Birds #CorpusChristiTx #Nature

They are wonderful to see and they have the characteristic Jay attitude. They will also mimic birds like the Red-shouldered Hawk (as do the Blue Jays) to try and scare away other birds.

The location of the house, with a green belt right behind, is the reason we chose it. We’ve had a nice variety of birds and other critters pass through. Nature TV.

This year we’ve had regular visits of Green Jays to our backyard peanuts. Hope they continue to stay in the area as I love their looks and vocal calls. #Birds #CorpusChristiTx #Nature

This masked bandit is also somebody who has a sweet tooth and enjoys a taste of the sugar water put out for the Hummers. I guess everyone needs that hydration.🤪 #Nature #CorpusChristiTX #Raccoon #RingCamera

Late in the day the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are trying to build that energy up with some sugar water before sleep time. Funny thing is, there are only 3 holes to feed at on this feeder so they’re not very good at the math. #Migration #Birds #CorpusChristiTX

Baltimore Orioles around the water cooler recently. #Migration #Birds #CorpusChristiTX

Front view of a Groove-billed Ani perched in a thorny shrub.

Side view of a Groove-billed Ani perched in a thorny shrub.

Front view of a Groove-billed Ani perched in a thorny shrub.

Side view of a Groove-billed Ani perched in a thorny shrub.

Over the last couple weeks, I’ve seen or heard a few Groove-billed Anis in the green area behind our yard. They’re a Fav as i really like their look and call. #Birds #Nature #CorpusChristiTx

Black, orange, yellow and white markings make this male Baltimore a striking fellow as it perches on a little snag above our water feature.

Black, orange, yellow and white markings make this male Baltimore a striking fellow as it perches on a little snag above our water feature.

Black, orange, yellow and white markings make this male Baltimore a striking fellow as it perches on a little snag above our water feature.

Male Baltimore Oriole stopping by our backyard water feature as migration is in motion. #Birds #Nature #CorpusChristiTx

When I lived in another part of Texas, the PM roost was well known and in a relatively populated area. The birds would congregate on power lines around the area. As darkness closed in, they took to the air and appeared to create an avian tornado before diving into the trees. Magic act.

Ha.

Found this Purple Martin pre-roost area yesterday about a mile from my house . I don’t know how many thousands of PMs there were, but they started to get more anxious as it got closer to sunset. About 10 mins after this video, they had disappeared to the north. #Birds #Nature #CorpusChristiTx

One of my yard trailcams captured this male Hooded Oriole coming by for a late afternoon bath. #Birds #Nature #CorpusChristiTx

I’ve seen Bobcats in the green area behind us with one of my trailcams, but this is the first one that was captured in the early hours last night inside our fence. Looked cautious, but appears it only stayed briefly before slipping back out thru the fence. #Nature #Mammal #CorpusChristiTx

Those are 12 nest gourds where Purple Martins lay their eggs. The metal bars on top are just for perching and hanging out.

Our 2 Troyer Purple Martin gourd racks have provided 20 nests this year. 70+ eggs hatched and getting closer to the end of the nesting season. Many of the nestlings have fledged but many PMs are still hanging around. #Birds #Nature #CorpusChristiTx

This Bronzed Cowbird was strolling along the edge of the road.

View of the male Bronzed Cowbird from behind showing the contrasting puffed up black neck feathers and purple colored feathers.

Bronzed Cowbird male finding some seeds.

Side view of the male Bronzed Cowbird in the green growth near the road.

This red-eyed male Bronzed Cowbird was on the ground searching for some seeds. #Birds #Nature #CorpusChristiTx

Side view of this young White-tailed Hawk flying.

You can see some of the whitish head markings as I captured this underside view of the juvenile White-tailed Hawk.

Side view of this young White-tailed Hawk flying.

Underside view of this young White-tailed Hawk flying.

Juvenile White-tailed Hawk on a cloudy day near agriculture fields west of #CorpusChristiTx. #Birds #Nature

Water, water, water. It’s the main magnet in our yard. This male Hooded Oriole agrees with me. #Birds #Nature #CorpusChristiTx

White-tailed Hawk giving me the eye while perched near the road.

White-tailed Hawk giving me the eye while perched near the road.

Out driving some agricultural fields the other day and spotted a couple adult White-tailed hawks. Here’s one. #Birds #Nature #CorpusChristiTX.

I decided to go out on the south Packery Channel Jetty to search for some avian subjects. Not too many birds out but the sky and water were looking nice. #Nature #CorpusChristiTx

Top view of this Least Bittern among the reeds st Turnbull Birding Center.

Top view of this Least Bittern among the reeds st Turnbull Birding Center.

Top view of this Least Bittern among the reeds st Turnbull Birding Center.

I heard this Least Bittern before I saw it. It was close and I had to shoot pics of it straight down from the main deck at Turnbull Birding Center. #Birds #Nature #PortAransasTx

Momma Mottled Duck checking to make sure her young one is doing ok below her.

Stoic Momma Mottled Duck taking the direct sun to make sure her young one is doing ok below her.

After her duckling moved a bit to lay more in the shade, Momma Mottled Duck stands to take the direct sun and make sure her young one is doing ok below her.

Momma Mottled Duck providing shade for her duckling on a warm and sunny day at Turnbull Birding Center. #PortAransasTx #Birds #Nature

This large, hot pink Flamingo was standing in the shallows at the far end of the main pond at Turnbull Birding Center.

This large, hot pink Flamingo was standing in the shallows at the far end of the main pond at Turnbull Birding Center.

This rare American Flamingo continues to hang out in the main pond at Turnbull Birding Center in #PortAramsasTx. #Birds #Nature