TexasBirder

When we lived in San Antonio years ago, we had a cold winter with 2-3 days of lows in teens. Also had some hummers hanging around the same time which worried me. I just had to insure liquid sugar water. 🤪Those Flying Jewels came thru w no problems using their torpor at night & daytime food source.

Only in the mid 30s in #CorpusChristiTx but colder temps always remind me how strong and resilient hummingbirds are. This Rufous Hummingbird has been visiting for a week and colder temps are coming. Hope it continues. #Birds #RingCam

This Burrowing Owl was near a culvert by a county road in Chapman Ranch, west of Corpus Christi.

Can you see me behind this plant? Burrowing Owl in the Ag fields west of #CorpusChristiTx. #Birds

Haha. Good one!

Suter Park with some birds in the foreground and the University in the background. Dark skies above the scene.

Large flock of birds taking flight. Most of these are Black Skimmers.

Large flock of birds taking flight. Most of these are Black Skimmers.

Suter Park with some birds in the foreground and the University in the background. Dark skies above the scene. Large flock of birds flying overhead. Those are mostly Black Skimmers in flight.

Before and After - The other day I visited Suter Park in #CorpusChristiTx, even tho the water level was fairly low. First landscape shows Texas A&M University-CC in the background. Mostly Black Skimmers in the flight pics. #Birds

We welcome all visitors to our backyard water drip and bath, even this young Cooper’s Hawk who will probably go back to hunting birds after it’s hydrated. 🤪. #CorpusChristiTx #Birds

Never know what will show up. It’s like opening Christmas presents sometimes when I scan thru the vids and find something unexpected. 🤪

Backyard bath time for this colorful Great Kiskadee. Red-winged Blackbird makes a brief cameo at the water. #CorpusChristiTx #Birds

Someone’s got the moves.

This young Caracara was perched on the top of a small tree in an agricultural area west of town.

This young Caracara was perched on the top of a small tree in an agricultural area west of town. The movement of its body shows it’s getting ready to fly off.

This young Caracara was perched on the top of a small tree in an agricultural area west of town before lifting off to fly.

This young Caracara is beginning its flight.

Crested Caracara preparing for takeoff. #CorpusChristiTx #Birds

Just a couple Whooping Cranes out for a stroll on some sand flats in #PortAransasTx. #Birds

Relaxing to watch. I was happy that it worked its way in the litter towards me. Stood still and took a few moments to enjoy nature.

Got out yesterday searching for some new Year Birds. Found this continuing rare Wood Thrush in a #PortA Texas patch that was digging thru the leaf litter. #Birds #Video

The beak of the Groove-billed Ani is always fun to see.

The beak of the Groove-billed Ani is always fun to see.

When a second Ani flew in and landed right next to the other, a bit of preening began.

This pic of the 2 Anis almost looks posed as this sit on a tree branch with smaller limbs in front. Has an ethereal vibe to it.

The other day at a nearby patch I caught some movement that was a Groove-billed Ani. This time I didn’t hear its striking call. Turned out there were 2 deep in the tree cover. #CorpusChristiTx #Birds

Nice!

I confess I bought a Canon R5 a couple years ago. With the great focus capabilities and the amount of resolution I can often strongly crop and still have plenty of pixels, even with subjects at a good distance. I have a 100-500mm paired with it.

Love them.

With the cooler temps and wind, there were fewer beach goers out, but the panoramas were striking.

With the cooler temps and wind, there were fewer beach goers out, but the panoramas were striking.

With the cooler temps and wind, there were fewer beach goers out, but the panoramas were striking. Packery Channel north jetty.

With the cooler temps and wind, there were fewer beach goers out, but the panoramas were striking.

The water and sky a few mornings ago looked like a painting. This was near a he Packery Channel Jetties in #CorpusChristiTx.

Belted Kingfisher flying by a colorful background.

A car and tree edge provide a nice soft background for the Kingfisher missile.

Kingfisher continuing to speed by.

Kingfisher wing spread as he continues his flight around the pond.

Male Belted Kingfisher Bullet screaming past me on the opposite side of the pond in #BishopTx the other day. #Birds

Gotta love all Owls.

Wouldn’t want it mad at me.

Here are two Crested Caracara perched on the top of a power pole while a juvenile was perched on a different pole nearby.

This Burrowing Owl was giving me the evil eye to ensure I didn’t come near its burrow area.

This shy Kestrel was always flying from the line before I got anywhere close. Just had to shoot long distance and then get out the cropper. 🤓

Very pale Red-tailed Hawk hung on on the line till it got bothered and flew off.

A few predators from the other day in the agricultural area west of #CorpusChristiTX. #Birds Crested Caracara, Burrowing Owl, American Kestrel, and Red-tailed Hawk.

Male Shoveler showing off its colors in flight.

Female Shoveler is more drab in comparison to the male.

Look at the beak size on these Northern Shovelers. How can they even fly with those things on their heads? Ha. Large group of them were at the #BishopTx City Park. #Birds

With their reflections in the water, it appeared there were more Avocets in the group. With their upturned beaks they are always striking to see.

A cute hodgepodge of American Avocets the other day in #PortAransasTx. Many of the #Birds were taking a snooze break.

Nice. Would love to see their courting behavior.

Clapper Rails are usually shy, so it was a nice treat for this one to spend time in the open at the Birding Center in #PortAransasTx. #Birds

Mixed group of Hooded Mergansers sailing across the pond early in the day.

Male and female Hooded Mergansers.

Profile of a male Hooded Merganser in flight.

Profile of a female Hooded Merganser in flight.

The other day I had 40 Hooded Mergansers show up on this pond. It started up as a dreary day but the sun popped out and gave me some nice looks. #BishopTx #Birds

Gull walking along the grasses washed up on shore.

Gull in the shallows with its pale yellow legs black-striped beak.

Portrait of the Gull in the shallows with water.

Ring-billed Gull along the water’s edge at Padre Island National Seashore. #CorpusChristiTx #Birds

Doing a landing at Turnbull Birding Center.

Reddish Egret starting up its dance to try and catch some small prey fish.

Reddish Egret looking all pretty the other day in #PortAransasTx. #Birds it flew in and then began hunting for small fish.

Crested Caracara in flight over Caribbean Pond.

A number of Sandhill Cranes on the backside of the pond.

American Avocet showing off its colors in flight over the pond.

Spotted Sandpiper walking along the edge of the pond, bobbing its tail as usual.

The other day I visited a pond in Flour Bluff, which is just east of #CorpusChristiTx. Was able to grab a few pics of Crested Caracara, Sandhill Cranes, American Avocet and Spotted Sandpiper. #Birds