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Showing posts with label Least Grebe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Least Grebe. Show all posts

Monday, February 6, 2017

Days 6 and 7 Have Some Handy Waterfowl


                                                                   Black Phoebe


                                                             Orange-crowned Warbler
                                           

                                                                     Least Grebe


                                              American Avocets (Non-breeding Plumage)
   

                                                                   American Avocet


                                                               Sora (Rear, By Reeds)


                                                                  Sora (Same Location)


                                                                        Mottled Duck


                                                      Blue-winged Teal (Far Left)
                                                      Northern Shoveler (Center)


                                                                Northern Shoveler


                                                                        Osprey


                                                               Northern Shoveler (Left)
                                                                Northern Pintail (Right)


                                                                 Green-winged Teal


                                                                  Northern Shoveler


                                                                           Ditto


01-19 through 01-20-17

The Black Phoebe is another endemic bird of specifically this area, and my shot was
relatively successful.  At the time, a Border Patrol chopper was flying overhead (yes, I waved)
two more were running down a steep embankment toward the river which border this area, and
arrest two people crossing the river from Mexico to our side.  Since Mexico owns the Rio Grande,
it is somewhat easier to arrest people.  The important this was that even with all that ruckus, I still
got my Black Phoebe!

The Least Grebe also hails from southern Texas and can be easily identified with that yellow eye.

The American Avocets are still in non-breeding plumage in January.  This set of one-behind-the-
other appealed to me, as it was perfectly set.

The little Sora, can be found in any wet, marshy habitat and commonly winters in the area.

The Mottled Duck in easy to identify with the bright yellow bill.

Even though the Northern Pintail is a common duck, I had to come to Texas in order to get a
good photo, as they tend to be further away.

Ospreys are good for showing up in any vicinity that hosts fish, but I had no warning for this shot.
One more second and this bird would have been over a building.  The shadows always tell!


Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge/Laguna Atascosa in Texas


                                                            Blue-winged Teal Pair


                                                               Male Green-winged Teal


                                                               Male Blue-winged Teal


                                                                       Least Grebe


                                                                    Pied-billed Grebe
                                                           Breeding Plumage, Foreground


                                                                   Greater Yellowlegs


                                                                    American Wigeon


                                                                      Crested Caracara


                                                                   Greater Roadrunner


                                                                    White-tipped Dove


                                                            Golden-fronted Woodpecker


                                                                       Olive Sparrow


02-18/02-20-16

Photos were taken at Jones Lake and Heron Flats in Aransas NWR and Laguna Atascosa just
prior to darkness.

Jones Lake was observed over two days, where the both teals, the Least Grebe, and American
Wigeon were found.

The real gems were located at Laguna Atascosa, which was worth the drive via a seven-mile detour over very rough terrain.  The birds photographed were the Crested Caracara, Greater Roadrunner, White-tipped Dove, Green Jay, Golden-crowned Woodpecker,  Gray Catbirds and the very regional Olive Sparrow.  The Aplomondo Falcon was seen attempting to apprehend a Gray Catbird, as was the Long-billed Thrasher.  Darkness
nearly enveloped us, and I ran out of time trying to get a decent shot of the Long-billed Thrasher.  Perhaps next time will yield additional results.