Laguna Atascosa Mar 20 2014

We were up early again and off to Laguna Atascosa.  This is a reserve about 1/2 hour from where we are staying.  There has been a drought here and the ponds were dry so not a lot of bird activity; except around the visitors center where they feed and water the local fauna.  This area is famous for its' Ocelots.  There are about 25 there and 2 were killed by cars recently.   As a result a few of the good roads have been closed.  We didn't see any. Here is what we did see.

Long-billed Thrasher.

Long-billed Thrasher

Golden-fronted Woodpecker

A thirsty Great-tailed Grackle

Green Jay

Northern Cardinal with a wonky leg

Olive Sparrow.  

Osprey

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Wild Turkey

Yuccas are in bloom

Altamira Oriole

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South Padre Island and area Mar 18-19 2014

This area of Texas is one of the birdiest places we have ever visited.  There are so many areas to cover that we won't be able to see them all in a month.  The following few shots are from Padre Island and then the rest are from a wildlife reserve called Estero Llano.  

Northern Parula.

Close and personal

Black and White Warbler

Northern Mockingbird

Green Heron.  Very approachable.

Black Skimmer.

Sora

Herring Gull

Laughing Gull=the most common gull here.

This reserve is a great place and the guides are exceptional.  We learned a lot on a morning walk with them.  The following shots were taken here.

Black-crested Titmouse

Buff-bellied Hummingbird

Common Gallinule

Common Ground Dove

Common Ground Dove

Common Pauraque.  It's a good thing we had a tip on where to locate this bird.  The camouflage is outstanding.

Tough to get a clear shot of this eastern Screech Owl (McCall's Screech Owl)

Great Kiskadee

Least Grebe

Plain Chachalaca.  They are every where.

Juvenile White Ibis

White-faced Ibis

Lesser Goldfinch

We will return to Estero Llano before we leave.  Apparently the main migration begins the beginning of April.  Tomorrow off to another location.  Stay tuned.

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South San Padre Island Mar.16-17 2014

We made it.  It took eight days in excellent weather to drive to our rental condo on S. Padre Island.  See it here;  http://www.vrbo.com/431876 .  This is our first extended trip since we sold the trailer last year.  We have been through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and finally Texas. Everything is as advertised and we couldn't be happier.  We woke this morning to a cloudy and windy day but we couldn't wait to get out and see the local fauna.  (And I don't mean the spring breakers of which there are hundreds.  We timed it just right. DUHH!)  The first birding stop was http://southpadreislandbirding.com  This is a nature centre with boardwalks that had us occupied for hours.  The following shots were all taken today and we have 30 days to go here.

Birding Centre at S. Padre.  They really cater to birders.

Rear of the Birding Center.  

Resident Gator.

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

Clapper Rail.  Not a great shot but a lifer.

Great Egret

Great Egret.

Tri-colored Heron

Little Blue Heron

Long-billed Curlew

Mottled Duck

Reddish Egret

Roseate Spoonbill

Tri-colored Heron

Tri-colored Heron

Tri-colored Heron

White-Ibis

Great -tailed Grackle

Aplomado Falcon.  We have been seeing reports of this bird for quite a while on ebird while still at home.  We drove to the location it was last seen 2 days ago.  As I got out of the car I saw a shadow cross the road.  When I looked it had landed on a fence post.  It doesn't get any easier than that.  This bird was seen 12 miles out of Port Isabel Tx.

I can see we are going to have a great time here.  We have a few lifers already and haven't scratched the surface yet.
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