Valentine's Day Present From the Birds on Galveston Bay via Rockport, TX

                                                                American White Pelican

                                                                      Laughing Gulls

                                                                      Brown Pelican

                                                                         Osprey

                                                            American Oystercatcher

                                                                     Common Loon


02-15-16 afternoon/partly cloudy/warm/15 mph winds

Having grown up both in and around salt water, I was at home both in and around the bay.
Nothing pleases me more than to be birdwatching, but this was an added bonus.  Feeling like I
was part of a more serious cast of Gilligan's Island, I could not have asked for more than this wonderful afternoon.

This was the closest that I was able to get to the Osprey, American Oystercatcher(most ironically on
a bed of oyster shells), and the Common Loon.  There was also a band of several dolphins, but the best photo that I could get was a dorsal fin, so I deliberately omitted that shot.  We were surrounded by both Brown and American Pelicans, Neotropic and Double-crested Cormorants, a few different species of gulls, Great Blue Herons, Great Egret, the Reddish Egret, shore birds, Whooping Cranes in the distance, and many more birds attracted to the water.  There was even a small island rookery for
breeding herons and egrets that was occupied by close to a dozen birds when we passed by it.

Thanks to Captain Tommy Moore on the Skimmer for providing a wonderful cruise on Galveston Bay.  It was wonderful to obtain the photos that I did for my first time on a moving tour boat.  It was an experience that I will not soon forget.

For your birding adventures in the Rockport Texas area, call and book with Capt. Tommy Moore, also author of The Lobstick Prince, a Whooping Crane Story at 877-TX-BIRDS.  You'll not regret this adventure.  The book can be purchased through amazon.com via http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0557179076?keywords=birding%20with%20Capt.%20Tommy&qid=1456240104&ref_=sr_1_fkmr0_2&s=books&sr=1-2-fkmr0

021416 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-love-is-in-the-air-for/article_03f3d7bc-d2a6-11e5-b719-8b23818b4426.html

We Must Learn to Fix It Before It is Too Late

Share what we have and we must learn to fix it before it is too late.  Let's share the love, you and me.

Sun and Fun For All

                                                                   Pied-billed Grebe

                                                                      Song Sparrow

                                                                   American White Pelican

                                                           Northern Mockingbird

0730-1100 hrs./37-50 degrees F/light and variable winds/partly to mostly cloudy

There are several Pied-billed Grebes on the lake this winter, one of which has been in the Southern Cove for the past two days.  This lovely specimen is a little shy, but I hope it will get used to the surroundings.  This area is sheltered and kept this sweet little bird sheltered from a Red-shouldered Hawk that was nearly overhead, so it worked out well.  Last seek there were hawk trappings hanging on a tree(wings), so I sometimes hold my breath around the red-shoulders.

A lone American Pelican came calling, most likely the one that was reported to me at Hazen Lake last week.  I happened to find it east of Goose Island, but it had made its way to the west side of the lake on my return trip.

Large numbers of Song Sparrows were all over the area this morning, some in groups of two or three.

The Carolina Chickadee males are claiming territories and they were also available in numbers.

The American Robin and Red-winged Blackbird are both moving in numbers, and I'm inclined to think that we area already experiencing early spring movement.

020716 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/local_columnists/life-at-boomer-lake-birds-critters-take-advantage-of-weather/article_85a9b25a-cd23-11e5-9a8b-db8e303018fa.html

Souls of the Heartland

                                                           Yellow-rumped Warbler

                                                                         Blue Jay

                                                                    Male Bufflehead

                                                                     Male Gadwall

                                                            Male Red-winged Blackbird

                                                                    Song Sparrow

                                                               Great Blue Heron


0730-1130 hrs./39-50 degrees F/35 degree wind chill at start/partly cloudy/0-15 mph wind gusts

El Nino has made things a little cool around here first thing in the morning, but as the wind whips off the Rockies, I trek my way forward.  As the warm breath blows into my gloved clenched fists, I fight
to go on, even though my hands are numb.  My face also feels the chilled air, but there are high hopes in my heart.  If this is what explorers feel like, I have passed the test, and the forward momentum shows that there are many things yet to discover.

See the world through my eyes, and the intensity in my heart.  I have only just begun.

Winter's Famed Trappings

                                                                      Beaver

                                                        Yellow-rumped Warbler(Myrtle)

                                                                       Ditto

                                                                        Ditto

                                                               Fox Squirrel


0730-1000 hrs./43-49 degrees F/28 degree windchill for first hour/15-20 mph wind gusts/partly
cloudy

It was difficult getting pictures for the past several days.  The birds were out, but they just did
not wish to bother with the photographic element.  Most of these shots were obtained today, but
the excitement was on Sunday with wall-to-wall woodpeckers.

Several species of woodpecker were seen in close proximity to each other, some within inches.
They were seeking both sustenance, as well as cavities to excavate.  Unfortunately, European
Starlings were also in the vicinity, which tend to usurp the efforts of cavity nesters, most
notably the Red-bellied Woodpecker.

Several Carolina Chickadees sounded the starling alarm, and the woodpeckers became astute
to possible predators, including the Pileated Woodpecker, who was feeding in the company of
the tiny Downy Woodpecker.

A thunderstorm emptied clouds in the area overnight, so there were lots of large puddles and
great numbers of American Robins today.  With rain comes worms that need to breathe, so between
bathing and eating, there were a good sixty robins on the ground this morning.  They were also
southbound in good numbers, and our Bald Eagle couple paid a visit, too.  The male American Kestrel was also out and about seeking mice, so it was nice just to observe his actions.