Birder’s Lounge

I thought it would be fun to introduce a new recurring theme at Birder’s Lounge, and I have just the thing. I have accumulated a number of photos that I have not included in posts for one reason or another. Since Birder’s Lounge hatched (ha-ha) in May, 2008, this first edition will include photos from May through August. This will be a monthly series, on or about the last day of the month, and will include birds, wildlife and native (to North America) plants. To make it even more fun and interesting, it will also include an identification contest.

“Contest?”, you say, ears perking up? Yep! Here’s the plan: Read the rest of this entry »

In this last installment of my series on Camp Fire USA’s Camp El Tesoro, I want to focus on the authentic, vital habitat that exists in this part of Texas. Read the rest of this entry »

I better be right about this butterfly identification: Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta). According to the National Audubon Society’s Field Guide to North American Butterflies (1981, Robert Michael Pyle, Contributor, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., Publisher), this butterfly is “unmistakable.” Robert Pyle, the “consulting lepidopterist” for this guide, founded the Xerces Society. This organization focuses on invertebrate conservation, and Mr. Pyle is impressive, even at first glance. I am looking forward to learning more about him, his works, and the Xerces Society. Read the rest of this entry »

I was so excited to see my first Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon), that I didn’t care if my pictures turned out crappy. My field guide, Birds of Texas, 2007, by Keith A. Arnold and Gregory Kennedy, tells me that if this were a female, she would have a rusty color across her belly. So, I believe this is *Mr.* Kingfisher. And fish. Read the rest of this entry »

I took this photo because I was bored while staking out my Turk’s Cap for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. This is one of many wasps that I have seen around my house. Recently, the pest control service came to my house. The only way to keep the peace in my household was to allow the pest control service to treat the inside of the house and fire ants…and wasps. The wasps were a battle - I wanted to leave their nests under the eves and attached to patio covers. After all, wasps have their place in the web of life, right? Read the rest of this entry »

We had a lot of rain last week, and I thought I would take a quick trip to a nearby lake, just to see what the birds were doing. This is what I found at White Rock Lake, in Dallas, Texas:

This Great Egret (Ardea Alba) was hanging out with the local Red-Eared Sliders… Read the rest of this entry »

This is the second in a series I am writing about Camp Fire USA’s Camp El Tesoro, in Granbury, Texas. As I was looking through the photos from my visit there, I noticed that many of the photos showed evidence of wildlife in residence. I usually focus most of my attention on wildlife itself, but it was very interesting to photograph and really take notice of the habitat.

First of all, I would like to know WHAT kind of animal lives in there! Read the rest of this entry »

Yep, I said it - I found a PRETTY beetle:

Actually, my nieces and nephews found it while I was hosting my mother’s birthday party. We had family and friends in from out of town - and I dropped everything when the kids came to me with this “cool bug.” Read the rest of this entry »

"I'm the king of the world!"

I couldn’t help laughing out loud when I saw how this picture turned out. This is a beautiful Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor), doing its best impression of Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie, Titanic! Read the rest of this entry »

Texas Thistle and adoring fans

Look at this mob of pollinators! I love the wee little green guy there on the left. This is a blooming Texas Thistle (Cirsium texanum). This was far from the only flower in the field, but for some reason all of these insects wanted to party on this one! Read the rest of this entry »