Tom Spine

Black and white photograph of an old, weathered, wooden barn-like structure.

“But that was a long time
And no matter how I tried
Those years just flow by
Like a broken down dam”

~ John Prine, Angel From Montgomery

Photograph of a Lark Sparrow, mid-song.

I tend to think of sparrows as petite birds, but the Lark Sparrow is noticeably larger than, say, Song Sparrows or Chipping Sparrows. They also have a completely unique facial pattern, sometimes described as quail-like. I think this is a male, calling out for the girls.

Photograph of a Long-billed Thrasher bathing in a water hole, with hundreds of droplets of water in the air all around the bird.

This Long-billed Thrasher really knew how to have a good time when it came to playing in the water hole.

Photograph of a soaking wet male Pyrrhuloxia perched in the green vegetation of a bush.

Post-bath, a soaking wet Pyrrhuloxia pauses in a nearby bush.

Photograph of a male Pyrrhuloxia bathing in a water hole, with many water droplets in the air.

Pyrrhuloxia bathing.

Photograph of a male Pyrrhuloxia at the edge of a water hole, and its profile reflected in the water.

The Pyrrhuloxia is a desert specialist, and is sometimes called the “desert cardinal.”

Photograph of a Yellow Warbler on a perch.

Now that migration season is in full swing, Yellow Warblers can be found throughout most of North America.

Photograph of an Green Jay on a perch.

A resident of Mexico, Central America, and South America, in the U.S. the Green Jay is found only in south Texas.

Photograph of an immature male Painted Bunting singing.

Immature male Painted Bunting, trying in vain to attract a female.

Photograph of a male Golden-Fronted Woodpecker.

A male Golden-fronted Woodpecker showing us its signature golden-yellow belly.

Photograph of a male Northern Bobwhite running, with both of its feet in the air.

Northern Bobwhite on the run.

Photograph of a male Bronzed Cowbird.

I am transfixed by the Bronzed Cowbird. Such masterful use of the black and blue color palette. Gorgeous layering of feathers. A perfect choice of eye color to provide color contrast. An overall lovely job by nature’s design department.

Photograph of a Crested Caracara with its head thrown back.

The Crested Caracara looks like a hawk, behaves like a vulture, and is technically a falcon. When asserting dominance, they throw their heads back while making a guttural, rattling vocalization.

Photograph of a Turkey Vulture in flight.

Today is as good a day as any to appreciate the Turkey Vulture.

Photograph of a male Bronzed Cowbird with its neck feathers fluffed up.

Another photograph of a male Bronzed Cowbird fluffing up its neck feathers. They go from a normal looking plain black bird (albeit with intense red eyes) to something out of an Elizabethan novel in the blink of an eye.

Photograph of a male Bronzed Cowbird on a perch, with its neck feathers fluffed up.

Male Bronzed Cowbirds fluff up their neck feathers when they are trying to intimidate other males or impress the girls.

Photograph of a male Northern Bobwhite in full run.

The Northern Bobwhite is the most common of the six native species of quail found in North America.

Photograph of a male Painted Bunting posing at the edge of a water hole, with his feet in the water and a soft reflection of the bird in the water.

In three days in the Rio Grande Valley I saw a good number of female and juvenile male Painted Buntings, but this was the one and only adult male that showed up. Fortunately, he stuck around the water hole for a good ten minutes, so I have quite a few shots of him posing and bathing.

Photograph of a Greater Roadrunner running up an inclined tree branch.

Greater Roadrunner

Photograph of several windmills in a field of blooming sunflowers.

Since l was last in the Texas Rio Grande Valley region in 2018, literally hundreds of windmills have sprouted in the ranch and farm lands. I just had to pull over for this view on my way to the airport this morning.

Photograph of a Long-billed Thrasher bathing in a water hole.

More Long-billed Thrasher bathtime fun.

Extreme close up photograph of a Greater Roadrunner, showing just her neck and head.

From this afternoon's photo session at Santa Clara Ranch. A Greater Roadrunner pauses for her close up.

Photograph of a Long-billed Thrasher in a pool of water.

Long-billed Thrasher enjoying the water this morning at the Santa Clara Ranch.

Photograph of two Crested Caracara, one standing on a wood branch and the other landing on its back.

So, moving on from my Wood Duck series, this happened this morning in the Texas Rio Grande Valley. Crested Caracara.

Photograph of a Wood Duck drake in breeding plumage.

Every time I think, "That's it, I'm done with the Wood Duck series" I come across another one that I can't resist.

Photograph of a Wood Duck drake in breeding plumage.

I'll be moving on from my Wood Duck series soon. But not just yet.

Photograph of a Wood Duck drake on water with its wings extended forward.

Hug a Wood Duck today.

Photograph of a wet and bedraggled Bald Eagle perching on a dead tree in the rain.

A wet and bedraggled Bald Eagle perching on a dead tree in the rain just seems appropriate today.

Photograph of a Wood Duck drake in breeding plumage, with its image reflecting in the water.

Wood Duck, dreamy reflection

Photograph of a Wood Duck drake swimming into calm water, with its image reflected in the water.

Weekend Wood Duck, part 2. Today is an excellent day for reflection.