Archive for September, 2009

I spent my first day in Corpus Christi running errands, but was able to spend my first evening in Port Aransas! I had a wonderful evening near a “jetty,” and took my first ferry-ride to get there.  The fishing pole in this photo is not mine, but it represents one of my first views of the area. Read the rest of this entry »

This adorable Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is just one example of the wildlife I’ve seen while visiting the Texas Gulf Coast. The Corpus Christi area has not had rain in a very long time…until I came to town! While the locals were doing their happy rain dancing, I was jumping in and out of the car with my camera to capture the sights of Port Aransas. I look forward to sharing more from my trip after I return next week!

Believe it or not, I spotted this tiny turtle in the road while driving home from the grocery store. This newly-hatched Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) {Update: Thanks to readers of this post, I have learned that I found a baby Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) – just as cute, not as imperiled. Thanks for the ID help!} , had his neck fully extended, and his dark color contrasted sharply against the paved road.  I saw  him just in time to make sure that my car tires passed on either side of him, then pulled to the curb. When I saw that I had been right, I didn’t hesitate to pick him up. Read the rest of this entry »

Friday’s Rowlett Creek Cleanup was unfortunate in that it was scheduled on a Friday afternoon when most people were working, and at a time when thunderstorms delivered on their promise to release torrents of rain over the area. I was there – all setup with my little table – and accompanied by my friend Andy, who works for the City of Plano.

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I think this may be the first time I have photographed fish in a creek.  To be honest, I was surprised to see these catfish–and so many! This is a section of Rowlett Creek in Plano, TX, and is the location of a creek cleanup scheduled for Friday, September 11, 2009. This is the first in a series of inland and coastal waterway cleanups that I will be attending in conjunction with the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup Day. Read the rest of this entry »

Paper Wasp (Polistes annularis) I *think*

I saw this Paper Wasp (Polistes annularis) while taking a walk through the forest. At first he caught my attention simply because of his size, contrast to the tree limb, and close proximity. Then I noticed that he was eating something…looks like the remnants of a caterpillar. I took a series of rapid-fire pictures to make this animated GIF file, and you can see that he is rapidly rotating his tasty green meal for choice bites.

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The “pot” just went up another $5, thanks to Eileen Wise of the blog Viewing Nature with Eileen. Eileen has done the following good things:

1. HELPED RAISE AWARENESS that everything we do affects the well-being of other creatures
2. GAVE SOME OF MY OWN HABITAT back to nature
3. VISITED a state park, national park, or wildlife refuge
4. IDENTIFIED & LEARNED about one bird that I was unfamiliar with
5. DONATED TIME OR MONEY to an organization that is dedicated to protecting and preserving habitats and wildlife

Eileen says,

I like to keep most of my yard as a habitat for wildlife. I plant flowers, trees and bushes for the birds and we have a pond.

Eileen, thanks so much for sharing your do-gooding, and inspiring others to do the same. You have also helped to increase the funds in the “pot” that will be donated to the Birder’s Lounge charities at the end of the year. Thanks, Eileen!

It is time for another ID Challenge, where anyone can play for their favorite wildlife/nature/conservation charity. The prize is a $10 donation to the winner’s charity, in the winner’s name. The first player to get the most number of correct answers wins – good luck, and have fun!

Picture 1 | Plano, TX

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