I recently visited Copper Breaks State Park in Quanah, Texas. This small town is located just southeast of the Texas Panhandle. I had hoped to photograph scads of roadrunners and at least a few snakes and other reptiles. While I did see two Greater Roadrunners (Geococcyx californianus), I was unable to capture their images (DANGit!). A small flock of greenish birds presented themselves rather readily, so I was grateful for the opportunity to get at least a few bird pics:

This would be my first “real-life” sighting of either a female Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) or a female Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria). The photo above shows what looks like the remaining gape of a young bird. If this is indeed a young bird, he or she may be another species altogether.  Read the rest of this entry »

I normally avoid sharing photos with man-made items in the frame, because the “hand of man” diminishes the “natural” element that I find so appealing. As you might guess, I am leading with this statement because I’m about to share a series of photos that prominently feature a wooden fence. In this case, the fence is pretty darn important to a couple of Carolina Wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus), who are jockeying for this prized perch. Apparently, the SE corner of my backyard fence is THE place for dominion-claiming, full-throated birdsong which announces, “I’m the King of the Fence.” Or perhaps, “This is my territory, go find your own!”

If a man-made fence is good enough for my precious birds to fight over…I suppose it is good enough for me.

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I caught this hummingbird (probably a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris), stealing insects from several spider webs in a clearing filled with native wildflowers. She was unabashed as she boldly zipped right up to each web, as if each were a drive-through window. Still, I don’t really blame her…the girl obviously needs to consume a nutritious diet…it looks like she is molting.  Read the rest of this entry »

If you have never seen a Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris), you’re in for a treat. If you HAVE seen a Painted Bunting, then you know that there is no such thing as too many chances to see this crazy-colorful bird. My pictures won’t do this guy justice, but they’ll give you a chance to appreciate his brilliance. And his butt. Read the rest of this entry »

Finally. I captured a Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) in a photo, while actually showing the feathers for which he is named. Heck, I see these birds buzzing around my native plant gardens often enough, but it seems like I rarely see a full-on red throat. The iridescence of these feathers often show black, pink, or even a golden color. Narrowing the odds even further – only the males have the ruby throat, and then that is only during breeding season.

I think that smudge of yellow on his bill might be pollen. Usually I see pollen on their foreheads, but I think that must come from visiting plants with longer tubular flowers.

That this photo is focused well enough to make out detail of the bird’s face is reason to celebrate. I shot this photo with my shutter speed set to 2500 (One 2500th of a second), yet his wings were beating so fast that they still came out blurry. A far more typical shot (for me) of these tiny little birds looks more like this: Read the rest of this entry »

This post is mostly just photo-sharing, and I can’t even tell you the name of this bird (because it would give away one of the answers to this month’s contest). This is one of the Challenge for Charity birds, so enjoy a few more looks. Read the rest of this entry »

My first visit to the rookery at the UT Southwestern Medical School campus in Dallas, TX was a month or so ago. I met fellow blogger, Jason of xenogere, for a personal tour. My second visit was a couple of weeks ago, and I took a friend along to see the wonders of this magical place first-hand. We walked around the small park, overflowing with egrets, herons, and other birds – without my camera. (I make a much better conversationalist when I don’t have a camera at the ready.) I walked around the park a second time, after offering my friend the air-conditioned comfort of my car. I struck out on my own with my camera and tripod across my shoulder.

Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax )

This Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) stole the show, IMO. The place was alive with the ephemeral glow of hundreds of Great Egrets (Ardea alba), but it was the secretive, lurking night-herons who captured my rapt attention. Read the rest of this entry »

Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) are one of the sentinel hallmarks of Spring, sounding that distinctive call which confirms beyond any doubt that Spring has indeed arrived. If you’ve ever visited a lake shoreline or marshy area during Spring and early Summer, you’ve almost certainly heard this call:¹

I want to thank my friend, Larry Jordan, blogging at The Birder’s Report, for the tip on the great birdsong resource, xeno-canto. Now, on with the show! Read the rest of this entry »

Is this a gorgeous bird, or what?! My trip to The Heard last weekend was a treat, topped off by a pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) who flew amongst the trees in the wetland area. You gotta love a red-head! Read the rest of this entry »